Plus-size model endorses ‘bald is beautiful’ campaign for cancer awareness

An increasing number of women from across the city have been donating their hair to help make wigs for cancer patients. Recently, Akhshaya Navaneethan, who shaved her head for the same cause, tied up with photographers, boutiques and makeover artists for a photo shoot titled ‘Bald Queen’. Her aim was to promote the fact that bald women should look and feel great without being ashamed of their appearance. Since she’s also an advocate for body positivity, she felt the shoot would be ideal to endorse plus-size bridal couture as well.

Explaining why she chose this concept, Akhshaya says, “A queen is usually considered to have the perfect hair, skin and figure but I believe that anyone can feel like a queen. Moreover, many of us don’t understand the emotional trauma that women who suffer from cancer go through, so this campaign aims at promoting the message, ‘bald is beautiful’.”

Rejoy Krishnan — the photographer behind the shoot — suggested that she would look nice in Western wear so the team chose to collaborate with Daisy Bridal Pret-Couture for the outfits. The team at the boutique shares, “There are a lot of brides in Chennai, who are terminally ill or undergoing treatment for cancer. They feel very insecure about shaving their head or getting married while being bald despite all support they receive. We wanted to portray that bald is beautiful even on their special day through this shoot.”

Akhshaya was asked to visit the store for a trial and together, they picked out two gowns. “One was a cocktail (evening) gown and the other was a simple white bridal attire. We semi-customised it for her by adding sleeves and jazzing it up with ruffles, pearls, stone work, tiaras and veils that we have in-house, and natural flowers. The model looked so stunning in both the outfits and literally shattered the myth that cocktail dresses or fish cut gowns don’t suit fuller women,” says the team.

Ultimately, Akhshaya has one goal — to communicate to the masses that one person donating his/her hair once doesn’t change much, but that many youngsters should come forth to support such initiatives. “I am a guest lecturer in a city engineering college so I spread awareness about cancer there too. Similarly, I am a TV and show host, so during my shoots I wear a wig but take it off towards the end to raise consciousness about donating towards the cause. Believe in my talent and confidence, not in my looks, is what I want to tell the world,” she signs off.