Maavia, the transgender model, walking the PFDC runway for Jeem, is a lot of firsts

History was made at the 11th edition of the PFDC’s Sunsilk Fashion Week, Maavia became first ever transgender model from Pakistan to walk on the runway. This transgender model was selected by designer Hamza Bukhari as a show stopper for his collection Jeem.

It was an indeed a great step taken by the fashion industry to play its role in the social inclusion of transgender people. ”The transgender community has expressed how happy they are about this, and some are even jealous”, said Maavia while talking to media and laughing at her own comment.

This model, who walked out the final look of the Jeem collection, has certainly left her mark. She made an impact in Pakistan’s fashion industry last year when she was shot for the first fashion editorial to feature a Trans model.

The model felt honored for this achievement, Maavia spoke with great confidence answering to the question asked, saying, ”It is such an honor for me to represent my community on such a prestigious platform. I know I should be nervous but I’m not. I’m so happy to finally fulfill this lifelong dream of mine”.

This is without any doubt the most significant progress for giving respect and over due respect to this marginalized class in society. This is first step towards mending the stereotypes we all have set for this marginalized social class. The stereotypes require to be mended which we have set.

This Fashion week this year began the day after International Women’s Day, and also a day after the Aurat March, whose participants demanded women’s rights, including for Trans women of Pakistan. We are keen to find out what further initiatives are taken to keep this practice included in for long term.