Harnaam Kaur: The first bearded female model to walk the ramp

Harnaam Kaur, a body positivity campaigner and model who was bullied throughout her childhood, sent out a strong message to her bullies and haters when she opened a fashion show.

Harnaam Kaur has polycystic ovary syndrome—a hormonal condition that causes excess facial-hair growth.

After years of painful waxes, done up to three times a week to hide her condition, the 25-year-old from Slough now embraces her facial hair. She had recently joined Tess Holliday’s anti-body shaming ‘effyourbeautystandards’ team and had modeled for the Urban Bridesmaid Photography series of photos that went viral.

Harnaam Kaur made her catwalk debut by opening the Marianna Harutunian Royal Fashion Day show last week, in her traditional Sikh turban, a navy dress and black heels.

She later shared her agony growing up as child through her Instagram post.

I grew up watching America’s next top model, and i admired @tyrabanks whole heartedly. I always wanted to be like the pretty models, so i remember copying the way they posed and walked. I grew up being told i was to fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model. I was told i’d never walk the runway. I used to look at models and tell myself that i will never ever be able to do what they are doing. I am not pretty enough or beautiful enough and i dont have the ‘right’ body type. I was laughed at when i said i wanted to model. Jokes on my bullies. I was lucky enough to walk for @mariannaharutunian as the first bearded lady to walk for a celebrity jewellery designer. I was humbled to be the first model to walk and open the show for #royalfashionday with the portrait of the legendary #davidbowie looking down on me! Every path is my runway! Walk with your head up high and ooze confidence always! Xx (my lifes quote) Dreams to come true! A huge thank you to @usfashionsource and @mariannaharutunian for scouting me and allowing me to walk for the jewellery brand. ?- @jamesalexanderlyon thank you James for capturing a precious moment. Jewellery by @mariannaharutunian Shoes- @jeffreycampbell spiked lita boots Makeup – @loribeemua Dress- @angeshowroom #harnaamkaur #mariannaharutunian #lorrainerobledo #londonfashionweek #lfw #royalfashiondaylondon #royalfashionday #beardedlady #bearderwoman #harnaamkaurdoesrunway #harnaamkaurdoesfashion

A photo posted by the official harnaam kaur page (@harnaamkaur) on Feb 22, 2016 at 6:57am PST

“I was lucky enough to walk for @mariannaharutunian as the first bearded lady to walk for a celebrity jewellery designer. I was humbled to be the first model to walk and open the show for #royalfashionday with the portrait of the legendary #davidbowie looking down on me!” She posted on her Instagram.

At a time when people swear by beauty products and beauty magazines, it is refreshing to see someone embrace herself as she truly is.