GLAM / AMOUR

Under the luminous lights of London Fashion Week, where artistry meets ambition, a young woman from Margao (Goa), walked with quiet grace and fierce conviction. Her name: Meurel Viegas — the first Goan to ever walk the official runway of one of the world’s most prestigious fashion stages.

At Glam/Amour, we celebrate stories that shimmer beyond the surface — where beauty meets depth, and ambition is stitched with authenticity. Meurel’s journey captures that essence perfectly: a narrative defined not just by milestones, but by meaning.

Because beyond the glamour of this historic moment lies a story carved by resilience, faith, and the unwavering belief that “being different” was never meant to mean being “Less than“.

The Journey: From Margao to London

For Meurel Viegas, the path from her hometown of Margao to the global fashion stage has been more than just a geographical leap — it’s been a spiritual and emotional awakening. “While I was born and raised in Margao (Goa), my ancestral home and family roots are in Cuncolim (Goa),” she shares with quiet pride, grounding her global success in the heritage that shaped her. “It’s been a journey defined by resilience and anchored in faith,” she continues, her words carrying the weight of lived truth. “Every phase has taught me that when faith becomes your foundation, even the most distant dreams start aligning with your path.”

Growing up, Meurel often found herself treated differently because of her skin color and physicality. What others labeled as flaws became, over time, her most powerful form of self-expression. Modeling and pageantry, she discovered, were not just about beauty or grace; they were acts of reclamation. “No label should ever define the measure of your potential or worth,” she reflects.

When India won the Miss World crown in 2017 after a 17-year hiatus, something in Meurel stirred. The world of pageantry opened before her — not as a competition, but as a calling. It was the first time she truly grasped the transformative power of representation. “Pageantry showed me that you can speak with intent and integrity, champion causes that matter, and create meaningful impact. It’s discipline, resilience, and growth — the process itself is the transformation.”

The Runway as a Language of Self

For Meurel, modeling is not performance — it’s poetry in motion. “Walking the runway awakens a sense of presence, confidence, and quiet power,” she says. “Each step becomes a declaration that you belong.”

When she finally stepped onto the runway at London Fashion Week, representing Goa and India, the moment was both surreal and sacred. “It was a deeply moving milestone — the culmination of years of preparation, sacrifice, and belief. Professionally, it affirmed my discipline and reminded me that dedication to your craft can open doors you once thought were distant.”

Behind the glittering curtain of London’s most celebrated fashion event, Meurel Viegas found herself surrounded by a diverse community of models and designers — all united by artistry. “There was a quiet intensity,” she recalls, “but also a shared purpose. Everyone was supporting each other, reminding one another why we were there.”

In one quiet moment backstage, a designer turned to her and said, “You carry your story in your walk.” That single line etched itself into her memory. “It reminded me that fashion is storytelling in motion — and I am the narrator.”

Grace Under Pressure

The pressure of walking a global runway could easily unnerve even the most seasoned model. But for Meurel Viegas, composure came from clarity. “I reminded myself that this was my moment — my story to tell. Confidence comes from knowing you’re aligned with your purpose,” she shares. “Each stride reflected years of growth, and I allowed the excitement to energize me instead of overwhelm me.”

Her calm strength drew admiration from peers and professionals alike. She carried her heritage, her faith, and her message with her — a quiet rebellion against stereotypes that have long defined the fashion world.

Redefining Beauty, One Step at a Time

In an industry often obsessed with symmetry and perfection, Meurel’s advocacy for redefining beauty is both radical and refreshing. “You cannot be what you cannot see,” she says. Growing up, she was made to believe she wasn’t beautiful because she didn’t fit conventional ideals. Today, her very presence challenges those standards.

“For me, beauty has never been about symmetry or size,” she explains. “It’s about strength of character and kindness of heart.” Her platform has become a space to show others that different doesn’t mean less than. “When we embrace individuality, we dismantle outdated standards. I want young people to know that confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build.”

Every time Meurel steps onto a stage, she does so for every child who was ever told they were not enough — reclaiming space and rewriting the narrative of beauty through authenticity.

The Advocate Behind the Model

Beyond the lights and lenses, Meurel’s heart beats for a cause that transcends fashion: Mental Health Advocacy. A certified volunteer for Shout 85258, the UK’s confidential crisis text helpline, she offers support to individuals navigating struggles like grief, depression, self-harm, and loneliness.

“Sometimes all we need is someone to tell us it’ll be okay,” she says, her tone tender. “When I first began, I thought my role was to change lives. But with time, I realized that each conversation was quietly transforming mine.”

Her advocacy stems from personal experience. Having faced her own mental health battles, she understands the weight of silence. “You don’t need to be certified to make a difference,” she insists. “You just need to be human — to listen without judgment and to show up.”

In her professional life as a Manager, Meurel integrates this empathy into leadership. “Leadership isn’t about titles or metrics. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and heard. My door is always open — not just for work, but for moments of vulnerability.”

Her Philosophy is simple yet profound: healing doesn’t always come from grand gestures; sometimes it begins with simply being there.

Overcoming Bullying and Stereotypes

Meurel’s story would not be complete without acknowledging the shadows she has overcome. “For a long time, I believed I had to fit a certain mould to be seen or accepted,” she shares. “Growing up, I was bullied for how I looked. Those experiences carved deep marks but also taught me that authenticity is my power.”

In an industry notorious for perpetuating narrow ideals, she stands as a symbol of defiance. “When I walk today, I remind myself that I’m not here to be someone else’s version of perfect. I’m here to be me — and that’s enough.”

Her journey toward self-acceptance wasn’t instantaneous. “It took years of unlearning the voices that said I wasn’t enough and relearning self-worth in my own language,” she says. Through her work in mental health, she found strength in kindness — especially toward herself. “Kindness is the truest form of strength,” she adds with quiet conviction.

“Every scar, every struggle, every moment of doubt adds depth to who we are. If my story can remind even one person that their uniqueness is their power, then every painful moment I endured will have found its purpose.”

The Message to Dreamers

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring models dreaming of global runways, Meurel’s words carry both grace and grit: “Your walk matters, but your why matters more.”

She urges young dreamers to see modeling as a journey of self-discovery, not just success. “The world will tell you how to look or who to be — but the most powerful thing you can do is to walk as yourself. Confidence doesn’t come from validation; it comes from alignment.”

Her advice is as practical as it is poetic. “Stay grounded in gratitude and growth. Treat everyone with kindness. Never underestimate humility. The right opportunities will find you when you are ready — not when you are rushed.”

And most importantly, she says, “Don’t chase perfection; chase purpose. Your individuality is your signature. The runway may showcase your style, but it’s your substance that makes people remember you.”

The Future: Beyond the Catwalk

Where does Meurel see herself next?

Her answer is thoughtful, without the pretense of certainty. “I’ve never been one to be confined by a single label,” she says. “I see my journey as a spectrum of passions in constant evolution — an exploration rather than a fixed destination.”

Modeling, for her, remains both a craft and a calling — one that continues to unfold. “It’s given me a platform for self-expression, for pushing boundaries, for discovering the depth of my own potential. I want to keep exploring this space while staying open to wherever life leads next.”

For a girl who once doubted her beauty, to now stand tall on one of the world’s most prestigious runways — Meurel’s story is not just about fashion. It’s about faith meeting fortitude, about rewriting old narratives, and about becoming visible so others can see themselves reflected too.

Her walk at London Fashion Week wasn’t just a moment in fashion history — it was a message. A message that echoed far beyond the runway: that courage, authenticity, and compassion never go out of style.

As Meurel Viegas puts it, “Fashion is storytelling in motion — and I am still writing mine.”