DHAKA: Teen model Shonali Khatun strutted the catwalk as the audience cheered at a fashion show in Bangladesh’s capital.
But Shonali is no ordinary model, and this was no ordinary show.
She and the 14 other models are survivors of acid attacks, common in this South Asian country, where spurned lovers or disgruntled family members sometimes resort to hurling skin-burning acid at their victims.
The fashion show, held Tuesday night in Dhaka and attended by fashion lovers, rights activists and diplomats including the US ambassador to Bangladesh, aimed to redefine the notion of beauty while calling attention to the menace of such attacks.
For 14-year-old Shonali, the event was nothing short of empowering. She was attacked just days after she was born amid a property dispute involving her parents, and was left with burn scars on her face and arms. She spent nearly three years in a hospital and underwent eight operations. Her attacker has never been caught.
“I am so happy to be here,” she said. “One day I want to be a physician.”
The models, including three men, walked the catwalk, dancing and singing and showcasing woven handloom Bangladeshi designs. The show was choreographed by local designer Bibi Russel.
Organizers said they hoped to highlight the fact that acid victims, too often overlooked, are a vital part of society. They deliberately chose to hold the event on the eve of International Women’s Day.
“We are here today to show their inner strength, as they have come a long way,” said Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, which organized the show. “I often take inspiration from them. Their courage is huge.”
Bangladesh has struggled to deal with acid attacks in recent decades, and has instituted harsh punishments for the perpetrators, including the death penalty. The country has also trained doctors to treat such sensitive cases and attempted to control the sale of acid, but has failed to eliminate the scourge entirely.
In 2016, some 44 people were attacked with acid in Bangladesh — an annual number that has remained relatively stable.
“I am ashamed of having such things in the country,” Kabir said. “Unfortunately, in Bangladesh we do have acid victims because of either gender discrimination or violence, or because of greed. And we want to remind everyone the kind of injustice that has been meted out to them.”
Acid victims redefine beauty in Bangladesh fashion show
Acid victims redefine beauty in Bangladesh fashion show
Shanina Shaik hits the slopes with Net-A-Porter
DUBAI: Part-Arab model Shanina Shaik traded city streets for snowy peaks last weekend as shopping giant Net-A-Porter brought its destination style fest to One&Only’s newest ultraluxury property in Big Sky, Montana. The event attracted a glittering crowd of fashion insiders and Hollywood names — including Emma Roberts and Louisa Jacobson — all embracing alpine chic between runs on the slopes.
Shaik, an Australia-born model of Saudi, Pakistani and Lithuanian descent, who took to Instagram to share snapshots from the trip, was spotted among the well-dressed guests turning the mountain resort into a style set. “A few days in the Montana mountains is good for the soul,” she captioned her post on Instagram.
Roberts made one of the weekend’s standout sartorial statements with a slouched, fur-accented jacket layered over sleek black separates, merging apres-ski warmth with polished glamour.
Meanwhile, Jacobson, known for her breakout role on “The Gilded Age,” embraced casual luxury in elevated winter staples that complemented the event’s laid-back yet luxurious vibe. Aurora James added fur-trapper energy with her double-layered fur look, offering playful inspiration for winter layering.
Shaik ended 2025 sharing festive content with her followers. In one Instagram post captioned “Holiday party season,” she wore a sparkly maroon halter-neck dress with a plunging neckline.
The post took the form of a “get-ready-with-me” carousel, offering a glimpse of the beauty products she used ahead of a holiday event.
She also turned heads in Paris last year when she appeared in new images shared by Victoria Beckham Beauty. The model was featured in photos from a collaboration post on Instagram between her and the beauty brand, seen applying products such as the satin kajal liner and eye wear palette to create a soft, bronzed makeup look.
Shaik also attended the Victoria Beckham show during Paris Fashion Week, where the British designer presented her Spring/Summer 2026 collection at 17th-century Val-de-Grace Abbey. For the occasion, Shaik wore a chocolate-brown satin halter-neck gown with a high neckline and open back, styled with minimal accessories and glossy waves for a sleek finish.
Before the show, Shaik shared a behind-the-scenes video of her getting ready for the event.
“I am so excited for this show. I am obviously a huge fan,” she said in the video before breaking down the products she uses on her hair before styling.
