This is the inspirational moment an Indian model left terribly scarred in an acid attack strutted down the runway at New York Fashion Week to to promote a ban on the
sale of corrosive substances used to maim thousands of women and
children each year.
Reshma Quereshi, 19, opened the FTL Moda show today to applause in a stunning long-sleeved, white gown with embroidered appliques by Indian designer Archana Kochhar during her first trip to the United States.
The buzz and glamour of the event was a world away from Allahbad, India, where she suffered severe facial burns and lost an eye two years ago after being attacked with sulfuric acid by her estranged brother-in-law and two men.
After enduring numerous skin graft surgeries and contemplating suicide , she met the founder of Make Love Not Scars, a group that helps survivors of the gender-based crimes.
Quereshi is the face of the group's online video campaign, which has been viewed by 1.3 million people and led to her appearance in New York.
"I couldn't believe it was happening to me," Quereshi said about the trip through a translator.
"In that moment I felt extremely happy."
She said she hopes her turn on the catwalk will inspire hope and confidence in other acid attack survivors and spur countries to regulate the sale of cheap and easily available acids.
"No one else understands what an acid attack is except the survivors themselves," she said. "I do not want this to happen to anyone else."
About 1,500 acid attacks are reported each year, but Jaf Shah, the executive director of the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), said the real number is many times higher.
Brave model who lost an eye in acid attack takes to the runway at New York Fashion Week
Reshma Quereshi, 19, opened the FTL Moda show today to applause in a stunning long-sleeved, white gown with embroidered appliques by Indian designer Archana Kochhar during her first trip to the United States.
The buzz and glamour of the event was a world away from Allahbad, India, where she suffered severe facial burns and lost an eye two years ago after being attacked with sulfuric acid by her estranged brother-in-law and two men.
After enduring numerous skin graft surgeries and contemplating suicide , she met the founder of Make Love Not Scars, a group that helps survivors of the gender-based crimes.
Quereshi is the face of the group's online video campaign, which has been viewed by 1.3 million people and led to her appearance in New York.
"I couldn't believe it was happening to me," Quereshi said about the trip through a translator.
"In that moment I felt extremely happy."
She said she hopes her turn on the catwalk will inspire hope and confidence in other acid attack survivors and spur countries to regulate the sale of cheap and easily available acids.
"No one else understands what an acid attack is except the survivors themselves," she said. "I do not want this to happen to anyone else."
About 1,500 acid attacks are reported each year, but Jaf Shah, the executive director of the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), said the real number is many times higher.
Brave model who lost an eye in acid attack takes to the runway at New York Fashion Week
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