These incredible women prove that the future, truly is, female - Harpers bazaar

Dr Seema Rao

India’s first female combat trainer who has been instructing the country’s elite armed forces for over two decades.

“I look forward to training more, getting leaner and meaner, and advancing my hand-to-hand combat and sharpshooting skills. I want to empower more Indian women to take up jobs, reach their maximum potential, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in all areas of achievement.”

Jacket, ₹6,500, AM:PM. Shirt, pants, and accessories, her own.

Fashion stylists: Moumita Sarkar and Parvati Mangal

Devina Buckshee

Co-founder, the pink list—the country’s only electoral list of politicians who support LGBTQ+ rights.

“I hope for more representation of women and queer people. I hope that everyone who has been ‘othered’ by mainstream politics recognize their power."

Jacket, ₹49,990, Kshitij Jalori. Skirt, ₹29,000, Rajesh Pratap Singh. Shoes, price upon request, Christian Louboutin. Top and watch, her own.

Rina Singh

The driving force behind the Indian label Eka, she reimagined the kurta in an exclusive collection for Uniqlo.

“We need to be more indigenous, more craft-based, more authentic in our voice. We have to create unique products that should become our language, from India to the world. I hope it’s always meaningful, and I hope there’s scope for more inclusivity in fashion.”

Dress, ₹22,500, and jacket, ₹32,500, Eka. Shoes, price upon request, Santoni.

Smriti Deora

Co-founder, the pink list—the country’s only electoral list of politicians who support LGBTQ+ rights.

“My hope is for people to have less of an ego, to take a step back, be more considerate, and treat others with kindness.”

Jumpsuit, ₹33,990, Kate Spade New York. Jacket, ₹75,000, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna.

Aranya Johar

A talented poet and the youngest member of the Gender Equality Advisory Council for the G7.

“What I want to see this year is more representation, so we can learn from one another. I want to see people be kinder to themselves, and each other. I hope in the next decade we’re more empathetic, more mindful of the opportunities we get and how to share them.”

Jumpsuit and belt, ₹31,000, and shoes, ₹22,500, Michael Kors. Bag, price upon request, Coach.

Makeup: Shraddha Bachani and Harshana  Makhija in Mumbai.

Hair: Utsavi Choksi in Mumbai.

Hair and Makeup: Srishti Anand in Delhi and Alok Palei in Odisha.

Production: P. Productions (Mumbai).
Location: Courtesy Akhil Photography Studio (Odisha).

Gazal Dhaliwal

The first transgender woman to write a mainstream Bollywood script for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga"

“I hope the year challenges us to look within ourselves, and makes us question whether we’re doing enough to make an equal world—for women, for the queer, the disabled, the minorities, for all the ones who are born without privilege. Are we watching and hearing enough stories for them, about them, and from them? And if not, then why not? This decade must make us tell stories of the never-heard voices. Tell stories of kindness, equality, and truth. And this decade must also bring us more stories with happy endings. I believe we all deserve happy endings. Each one of us.”

Top, ₹5,790, Massimo Dutti. Skirt, price upon request, Label Ritu Kumar. Shoes, price upon request, Hermès. Bag, price upon request, Coach.

Ruchika Sachdeva

The first Indian woman to win the prestigious Woolmark prize. Her brand Bodice now retails at megastores like Harvey Nichols.

“I want to be unapologetically authentic. There is so much happening in the world right now that needs attention, so it’s important to use one’s voice to create awareness. For me, it's about questioning the impact of our actions on the environment.”

Dress, ₹39,700, Bodice. Shoes, her own.

Upasana Makati

Founder and publisher, White Print, India’s first lifestyle magazine in braille.

“My work started with a magazine for the visually impaired but led me to awareness about inclusion,
and understanding how we could implement it for future generations. Personally, I want to step outside my comfort zone and reach out to more people.”

Dress, ₹16,900, and coat, ₹32,900, Rara Avis. Bag, price upon request, Coach.

Suhani Parekh

Worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Kendall Jenner, her accessories label Misho celebrates the idea of modern India.

Jacket, ₹38,500, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna. Pants, ₹10,500, Siddartha Tytler. All accessories, MISHO. Bodysuit and shoes, her own.

Naomi Janumala

The only Indian model to be featured in a campaign for Rihanna’s fashion brand Fenty.

“I want to use my platform. If my work makes brown people or any people of colour feel better about themselves and gives them confidence, that means I’m doing my bit, and I’ll do it for life, with pleasure.”

Dress, ₹1,08,000, AKHL. Shoes, price upon request, Jimmy Choo. Bag, price upon request, Coach.

Dutee Chand

A record-breaking sprinter, she is also India’s first openly gay athlete.

“I wish to bring laurels to my country. This is an important year for me because I want to outdo my previous performances.”

Sweater, ₹82,000, and skirt, ₹24,000, Ralph Lauren. Jacket, ₹68,650, Suket Dhir. Bag, price upon request, Coach. Earrings, her own.

Shilpa Gupta

The contemporary artist was one of the only three Indians to be selected for the main exhibition at the Venice Art Biennale.

“My hope is for an environment that is open and non-divisive.”

Top, ₹10,200, and pants, ₹16,800, Bodice. Shoes, price upon request, Jimmy Choo. Glasses, her own.

Reena Kallat

In a solo show at Mumbai’s CSMVS, the artist addressed the founding values of countries in conflict through scrolls that depict preambles to their constitutions.

“We seem to be losing sight of the difference between fact and fiction, reality and fabrication. We need to really look at how our democracy is threatened today, and take charge of that situation. I hope we make more informed choices and restore our founding values of an inclusive society that’s enriched by everybody, and not ideas of segregation.”

Dress, price upon request, Rajesh Pratap Singh. Belt, ₹2,990, Massimo Dutti. Shoes, price upon request, Jimmy Choo. Bag, price upon request, Coach. Ring, her own.