Dharavi teen who was called too dark becomes face of global fashion campaign

Published on 11 May 2026

A producer backed her after harsh comments

Maleesha Kharwa, an 18-year-old from Mumbai’s Dharavi, has risen from local beginnings to international modelling stardom. After a producer spotted her potential, she landed campaigns for premium brands and earned features in top fashion magazines. Now she turns visibility into impact, using her platform to inspire others and give back to her community.

Maleesha Kharwa, 18, is from Mumbai’s Dharavi slum
A producer spotted her and kickstarted her modelling career
She has since worked for premium brands and major magazines
She now focuses on inspiring others and supporting her community

#fashion #models #dharavi #mumbai #inclusion

Read the full story at The Economic Times

This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on The Economic Times

Dharavi teen who was called too dark becomes face of global fashion campaign

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