Varshita Thatavarthi, Vizag’s Plus-Size Sabyasachi Model Breaking Beauty Norms

HYDERABAD: Can plus size, dark complexion girls also be models, in an industry which is so obsessed with a perfectly chiselled body and fair skin? Well, if you have this question on your mind, here's a model who is there, working with one of India's best fashion designers, and breaking social stereotypes.

Varshita Thatavarthi works as a model for India's top fashion and jewellery designer, Sabyasachi. Born in Vishakhapatnam, she was brought up in Delhi. The 25-year-old is a graduate in media studies from Manipal.

With a dream of becoming an actor, director Mani Ratnam's movies brought her to Chennai, but luck did not favour. She later moved to Hyderabad to stand a chance in the Tollywood film industry, but even those efforts were met with disappointment.

She faced rejection from people who said she looked ‘too South Indian,’ she said to a leading daily.

About stereotypes with colour and weight in the industry, the Vizag girl said that she lost 15 kg weight to fit into the portfolios of fashion agencies. Most times, she was given replies stating that modelling wasn't for her as she was on the curvier side.

But life had something great in store for her. On a life-changing day, she got an invitation from a friend of hers to a jewellery exhibition by Sabyasachi. The fashion designer was also present and she requested him for a selfie. She later got the picture uploaded on her Instagram account.

Two months later, one of Sabyasachi's team members got in touch with her and asked her to be a part of their shoot. That's when life changed for her.

Thatavarthi says that from the time she featured on Sabyasachi's campaign, she is flooded with messages from across all quarters, thanking her for breaking stereotypes. Talking about beauty norms, she challenged it saying, "Changing your complexion is not like dying your hair" and called on women to be happy with who they are.

Have a look at her pictures where she looks elegant and comfortable in her own skin.

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