Till now, I’ve always come under the body positivity category whether it was awards or lists in the world of fashion. It’s only this year that I was included in the main big category of fashion bloggers in a recent bloggers awards, which felt great. And that made me realise ‘hum kitna peeche hain (how far behind are we as a society) that being included in a mainstream fashion category feels like a big achievement, just because I am known for my body positive attitude and content. But, I am first, a fashionista and fashion content creator!
No poster girl goals
I don’t want to be the poster girl for body positivity though it does make me feel important in a way. But it’s too much responsibility. One person can’t make a change or lead a movement of this kind. And in any case, my cousin, who’s in school, is still facing the same kind of bullying I did.
Bullying by peers is something I kept taking for years. Comments like ‘who will marry you’ came aplenty, not just because I was plus-sized, but also because I am tall. There were also comments about my face and asymmetrical eyes, which I am still not ready to talk about. I was in my second or third year of college when I decided I had had enough of the bullying.
Today, the voice I have is stronger than all of the bullies’ voices combined. I’ve been overcompensating for all the hardships and bullies I have encountered since forever. I still remember being bullied in school. It stays relevant to me. It also acts as a constant fiery motivation for me when it comes to work.
{{/usCountry}}Today, the voice I have is stronger than all of the bullies’ voices combined. I’ve been overcompensating for all the hardships and bullies I have encountered since forever. I still remember being bullied in school. It stays relevant to me. It also acts as a constant fiery motivation for me when it comes to work.
{{/usCountry}}Fake it till you make it
The best way to deal with it? When it comes to confidence, fake it till you make it. It will soon become a part of you and you’ll actually be confident. I also believe that you attract half the things happening to you via your body language, the way you talk about yourself and carry yourself.
Things are getting better, though. I just walked for the biggest designers during the recent Fashion Week. In 2019, I was the first plus-sized pool model in Fashion Week and this year, there were three such models! The inclusivity we are seeing isn’t just for the plus-sized, but also for the dark-skinned, mixed size, chest-heavy and transgender models.
Last year, when I won in the Body Positivity category in the same awards, I realised it encourages people to be comfortable in their own skin. But if a big-sized girl doing fashion won in the big fashion category in the awards, it would have made a bigger statement.
(As told to Karishma Kuenzang)
Sakshi Sindwani is a fashion and body positive content creator and model.
I Say Chaps is a guest column that allows passionate, creative people a platform to have their say.
From HT Brunch, May 28, 2022
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