Colorloading, a fight against Colorism in India!

For our next blog post, after a long wait, we are putting forth something very different and unique. This was a massive photo-shoot undertaken by the talented Sara who runs Beauty Buffet India, a make-up and wellness brand. It featured over 35 models with various other collaborations. We tried to address the issue of Colorism in India. We wanted to showcase all the richness of melanin and complexion in India and by extension in most of the Indian subcontinent.

The intent behind this was to feature women of all colour complexions which ought to be celebrated in our culture and not put down.

This was a photoshoot with little focus on styling and more on the personality of these everyday women to bring out a larger message. All the women were styled in black outfits and we have experimented with all possible looks from traditional to fusion, from Bohemian to chic, and some really quirky ones too. The make-up was sponsored by Disguise, a vegan make-up brand active in India.

Our first look features Michelle Alfred, here seen wearing a fusion ensemble which includes a gorgeous black lace crop top that was paired with a gathered lehenga-skirt. Accessorized with a pair of cascading rhinestone chandelier earrings and a matching statement neck-piece giving the whole outfit a regal aesthetic. Beauty buffet gave her a sparkling evening make-up look with a bronze eye and a bold highlighter to bring out her cheekbones. A fuchsia matte lip color complemented the whole ensemble bringing it to life. Her hair worn naturally completes this fusion look. Her look resonates with her demure confidence in whatever she does.

For our next look, Sharon Alfred wore a total girl boss look. For her, we paired a black lacy bralette with a high-rising pair of black formal pants. A pull-back sleeve for her black satin blazer emphasizes a sense of authority. Her make-up included a matte chocolate lip with a matching eye-shadow and liner. A pair of dangling earrings was the only jewelry on her to make sure her beautiful coffee-colored skin was the star of the show. One look at her and you know, she knows what she wants and how to get it.

Moving on to our third look, this is what we like to call India meets Africa (or at least halfway). Here, Nithya Rao looks decadent in a black and white striped saree with an intricate embroidered border. Her saree was draped in a contemporary chic style by the extremely talented Kavita Gowda.  A sleeveless black velvet blouse lets the saree do all the talking. She wore a striking Maharani neck-piece to bring more opulence to her look, aided by rhinestones studded in her long plait. A pair of chunky studs were just right to make sure the jewelry wasn’t overdone. She wore shimmering make-up with a wine red lip. She’s no damsel in distress. She can do anything while draped in a sexy saree and studded stilettos.

Meanwhile, Naureen is breaking the patriarchy with her magnum opus Matriarch look in a floor-length lace maxi dress with larger than life bat-wing sleeves. A bronze jeweled waistband was added to singe it at the waist and color block the monotony of the black with a bit of dazzle. A magnificent dull gold head-wrap reminiscent of the East African culture gives it an otherworldly bohemian charm. A pair of short danglers accentuate her neck and the minimal matte contoured make-up highlights her wheatish complexion. A barely-there shade of muted pink makes sure you know she’s in charge.

And that’s a wrap! We, at Shoulders Of Gold, try our best to represent as much diversity as we can with each styling endeavor. In the present discussion and discourse around racism and colorism all over the world, we would like to extend our support and amplify all the efforts to make all workplaces and the society at large, more inclusive. This was a small step towards reaffirming women of all colors that they are beautiful in an attempt to break the culture of preference for fairer skin in our country.

Collaborators:

Campaign Director: Sara M Anand for @beautybuffetindia

Model : @sharon.alfred @letsallbond @susanryan4 @lady_outlaw7

Photographer : @the.strobist @the_bold_photo
Editor : @lbcreations_in
Makeup Partner : @disguisecosmetics

MUA : @makeup_makeitallup @rupali62 @sana_tattekinot_mahtab @makeupartistry_by_sitaradixit @makeoverbyasfiya @makeuphub.india
Hairstylist : @makeupbysameen_s

Stylist : @shouldersofgold

Sari Drapist: @pleatz_drape_artist_bengaluru

Styling Assistants: @smritijainn @hey__eya

Jewellery : @themauveunitx @yaarna.exclusive

Venue : @studioc9

Energy Partner : @redbullindia
Backdrop : @gravitybackdrops