POSTER FOR THE MONTH OCTOBER 2025
Namuli Pauline Shaping the Future of Fashion
Every time the fashion industry makes progress, it seems to take a few steps back. While racial diversity may be improving on the runway, behind the scenes, there’s still a long way to go. You might see curve models in magazines, but they’re less visible during Fashion Week. Brand campaigns might appear more inclusive through their casting choices, but the options available in stores for customers who aren’t straight-size or able-bodied remain limited. This leaves us asking: when will genuine, lasting change come about? And who’s going to be the driving force behind it?
The answer to the “when” isn’t straightforward. However, the “who” is becoming clearer every day, as more change-makers step into the spotlight, working to reshape not just what fashion looks like but also who has a voice in the industry. Namuli Pauline is one such advocate fighting for lasting change, especially when it comes to increasing representation of all skin tones in fashion shoots. She recognises that the system isn’t perfect—far from it—but she’s determined to help make it better.
From the outside, Namuli Pauline, 25, seems to have a picture-perfect modelling career: “I know that a lot of young Black models face stereotypes within the industry, such as being labelled diva or difficult just because they speak up—whether it’s about makeup that doesn’t match their skin tone or hairstyles that require specific products.”
It was her community search that brought her to social media, where she found support—and more. “As I delved into social media and saw so many people sharing their personal work and stories, I realised I could do the same with my own narrative through my art, and it would be meaningful,” she explains.
Through her art and activism, Namuli and her collective are breaking down outdated standards and opening the door for more diverse and multifaceted identities. “I often say I don’t want to see—nor do I want others to see—an unrealistic idea of what humanity should be,” she adds. “I want to see the best versions of ourselves reflected.”
Mr Sangram has made this magazine something to be proud of what we kept expecting. For Lakkars Magazine, he serves as the Head of India and Chief Editor of the Lakkars Magazine E-Book.
