A Wokingham woman is feeling in the pink after modelling for a celebrity photoshoot to raise funds for breast cancer awareness.
Dalia Ismail took part in the glamourous photoshoot alongside Liberty X pop singer Michelle Heaton and four other women from around the UK – all affected by breast cancer.
The pink-themed shoot was for a special fashion fundraiser, organised by celebrity designer brand Raishma and in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
The pictures were taken by top international photographer Sanjay Jogia, who himself lost his mother to breast cancer.
Titled ‘Still Me’, the series of images will be hosted on the designer’s website where a collection of dresses are available, and 10% of every dress sold over the next year will go to the breast cancer awareness charity.
Dalia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2022, is also a trustee for Wokingham Food bank and a motivational and wellness coach.
Since her diagnosis she has undergone several surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She will continue to receive preventative treatment for at least the next five years.
Back in April she graced the catwalk, wearing a dress by Raishma, at a special event for the charity and spoke about her experience of being diagnosed so young.
Fashion designer Raishma Islam, who has dressed royalty and celebrities including Princess Beatrice, presenter Susanna Reid, Strictly star Amy Dowden and ITV’s Amanda Holden, was so impressed by Dalia’s speech that she approached her to help organise the fundraiser.
Dalia said: “I feel proud that this shoot was sparked from the speech I gave at the Breast Cancer Now catwalk show back in spring where I met Raishma and had the opportunity to model her beautiful dress on the catwalk.
“This time last year, I was still having chemotherapy, and this photoshoot felt like a celebration of how far I have come since then.”
She added: “It was such a thrill to meet Michelle Heaton who was so lovely and friendly. We had a great day getting our makeovers done and the photographs are incredible.
“I feel like I am rediscovering who I am now; being diagnosed with cancer and the treatments have changed me a lot. I’m adjusting to differences in my appearance, such as having short hair, after my hair that has always been long fell out from chemotherapy.
“I feel like I have evolved and I am transforming in many ways; both on the outside and inside.”
Michelle Heaton, who shared some of the images from the photoshoot on her Instagram, said: “It was such a great day and I was so very pleased to meet Dalia.
“With us both being younger when we found we were facing issues around cancer I could really relate to her.
“She is such a great role model for so many younger women and looked so beautiful in her pictures.”
Michelle was diagnosed 12 years ago with the BRCA2 mutation gene, which meant she had up to an 85% chance of contracting breast cancer at an early age.
She went on to have a double mastectomy and later a hysterectomy.
Designer Raishma Islam added: “Dalia and all the ladies are an absolute inspiration. Fashion plays an important role in boosting any woman’s confidence but especially when facing health struggles.”
You can see more images of Dalia modelling and the charity dresses at www.raishma.co.uk.
