Knowing where you want to go in life has many benefits. For having a solitary conviction that something is intended to be and afterward adjusting it to a will to drive that reality into reality. Of course, this is harder said than done, especially for a woman who grew up in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. However, Shahad Salman was always a little bit out of the ordinary.
Shahad Salman, 23, was only an ordinary young lady living in Mecca, Saudi Arabia’s most holy city. She uses social media, like many other Saudis, to show the world snapshots of her life, primarily her love of fashion and beauty. She might not be described as “regular” at all. She has luscious hair that falls to her waist and perfectly frames her face with a sea of curls. Her eyes are captivating and she is slender. Around her full lips and along the length of her arms, her brown skin tone changes to white. She suffers from vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of skin lacking pigment.
It’s difficult to refute the sentiment. And keeping in mind that experiencing childhood in a country that has such characterized assumptions for familial jobs, Shahad was more than roused by the worldwide progress of the model Winnie Harlow. This was about representation rather than her own success or failure. The simple fact that someone with vitiligo like her was featured in publications and on billboards served as a living reminder that her goals were doable.
Salman is rightfully proud of her own success, but the journey has not been easy. Despite living in a world that “constantly tries to turn you into something else,” she credits her family for providing her with the support she needed to become the person she is today.
“I am very proud of myself because I have dealt with many different fields,” she says. “In all my artwork, there is an imprint of my Arab culture that reflects our ancient Arab heritage.” It’s a nice point, and shows how her culture remains intrinsic to who she is, no matter where life might take her from here. It’s an expectation she gladly shoulders. The rest are open to debate.
Salman has for sure faced many stereotypes challenges, and being confident as well was little hard for her. That is one of her strongest features. What helped her the most that she can be the inspiration for many people, However, she is where is she today because she never gave up and she knew where she meant to be. It’s a sure sign that sometimes challenging expectations can be just as effective as following your own.
