Nilam Poudel is a human resource officer at Mitini Nepal and a freelance make-up artist. She is also an LGBTIQ activist. Nilam says, “Before I got into this field, I worked as a reporter for the online portal, Himalayan News Express. As everyone knows, I am a trans woman, so I started putting on makeup to look and feel pretty. I took makeup classes in Nepal but never thought I would take this route professionally. But when I went for interviews, I got a lot of compliments.”
That’s when the thought of being a make-up artist popped in her head. “I just thought maybe I should take it more seriously and be successful in this field. So I took more classes and went to Bangkok to learn more,” she says.
Nilam says, “I always had a dream of promoting trans people in the fashion world. What I want to prove is that we as trans can do something. We just need a chance and if you hold our hand I know, we can prove that we can do it as well.”
She questions people who look at them negatively. “If we get an equal opportunity, I am sure we can flourish in any field.”
Nepal’s fashion world is finally flourishing. But are trans people getting equal opportunities? Nilam explains, “Yes, surely transgenders participate in many contests. But till now, I have never seen a trans person taking a title home. The rate of success for a transgender in the fashion world is far lower than that are for others.”
With a motto ‘Coming together for tomorrow. We are the change’ Nilam brings Nilam’s Fashion Runway that will take place on Saturday, March 27.
She says, “The fashion show will offer equal opportunity for all genders. Along with my partners, Sanjeev Maharjan and Prabin Thapa we came up with the idea to focus on gender equality.”
This is not the first time Nilam has done a show to promote trans people. Back in 2019, she did a show called ‘Fashion Insta’. Recently she did an event at Godavari Resort. And now hopes to create opportunities through Nilam’s Fashion Runway where trans people can prove themselves.
Nilam’s Fashion Runway will take place on Saturday, March 27 at Club Fahrenheit. The tickets can be purchased from Club Fahrenheit or at Kramasha Entertainment Office. And the doors will open at 7 pm.
