An Indian fashion designer is aiming to break down stereotypes by using transgender women to model her latest collection.
Designer Sharmila Nair, from Cochin in the southern Indian state of Kerala, has named her new line of saris 'Mazhavil', which means rainbow.
"Since the LGBT community is represented by the rainbow flag, I thought why not give my collection the same shades and use all the colours of the rainbow." Nair told Mashable.
Made under her brand Red Lotus, the saris are created from Hubli cotton dyed with natural colours, and paired with printed blouses.
For the photoshoot, Nair teamed up with transgender rights organisation Queerala, who put her in touch with 29-year-old models Maya Menon and Gowri Savithri.
The designer hopes that the photoshoot will open up more opportunities for the transgender community in India.
"It takes time to break stereotypes and for people to accept," she added.
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