Desi Today Magazine
Survivors and Special Needs Women Selected to Model for Colorado’s Serenity Project Fashion Show
Fifteen women from across the state of Colorado in US were selected to model for The Serenity Project Fashion Show held in Denver, Colorado, in June. These women have endured through experiences of abuse, foster care, special needs, body dysmorphia and many other severe traumas in their lives.
The Serenity Project was created by Miss Colorado Teen 2016 and IJM Colorado Miss 2017 Serene Singh. The Project is completely non-profit and volunteer-based. The impetus for the program as stated at the show is “to grow, develop, and invest in the confidence and the dreams of young women who have endured and struggled with body image, self-esteem, and confidence because of various traumas and obstacles in their lives.” The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of Serenity Project models a
more profound understanding of their unique beauty and capabilities as well as a lifelong commitment to paying forward their difficult experiences into bettering the lives of those around them. In addition to the modeling opportunity, Positive Presence has decided to invest over $2,400 for each model in runway coaching classes, self-growth workshops, and confidence training opportunities. 3P Speech, a nationally-run public speaking and debating program also has graciously sponsored each of these girls with packages to better their public speaking, writing, and interviewing skills.
At the Fashion Show, each of the model’s stories were shared on stage before the live audience. The models had the opportunity learn modeling techniques from Colorado modeling coaches Each model strutted the runway in ethnic designer Indian clothing from Mio Mora from Colorado Springs, Colorado, pageant and prom wear from Bonne Bella Boutique in Parker, Colorado and an outfit of choice that made them feel beautiful and proud of themselves.
Over 250 people attended the event. Each girl walked away from the night with newfound hopes, lifelong friends, tools and resources to build confidence, and the experience of a lifetime. In addition to outstanding leadership opportunities for a year and a strong commitment to helping these women serve the general community through their stories of empowerment, the models were awarded various titles represented by sashes for them to remind themselves that inner beauty is the channel by which transformation in the world can be made.
The 15 models were awarded with titles like Miss Strength 2017, Miss Neoteric 2017, and Miss Courageous 2017. Our Serenity Project Miss Passionate 2017 traveled from Oklahoma in a wheelchair to be a part of the empowering and inspirational event.
Next year, the show will be hosted again in Denver, Colorado, to further cultivate and grow the celebration of our society’s strongest women while investing and empowering them to chase their biggest dreams and inspire others to do the same.
