Sonam Kapoor stars on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Arabia, and while the photo itself is gorgeous, it's the message behind it that's truly beautiful.
The 30-year-old Bollywood star's stunning "Warrior Princess" shoot for the magazine's December issue is based around one theme: peace. The cover has the word written in English and Arabic ("Salaam") — the only text seen on the image, other than the magazine title and the actress' name.
"[Peace is] an oft-repeated refrain at this time of year, yet in December 2015 the word carries extra resonance, which is why we have chosen to communicate it, intertwining Arabic and English, on the cover of this issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia," writes the glossy's editor-in-chief, Louise Nichol in her editor's letter.
And in the wake of the bombings of Paris and Beirut, the cover truly hold special meaning. As the Khaleej Times notes, "An Indian actor wearing couture by Beirut's Ashi Studio on the cover of the Middle Eastern edition of an International magazine headquartered in New York. The timing could not have been more perfect."
The rest of the Kurt Iswarienko-photographed shoot sees Sonam in more Ashi studio couture, posing in the desert in Dubai. The minimalism of the background against Kapoor's glamorous frocks make for a stark contrast, putting the clothes in the spotlight.
Nichols says they chose Kapoor as the cover star as she echoes the "message of inner integrity."
"[She] makes no apology for enjoying a life of privilege – her father is the legendary actor Anil Kapoor – yet she is able to rise above others’ judgement and forge a path to success on her own terms," Nichol writes.
For the full interview and spread, head to Harper's Bazaar Arabia's website.
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