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Maria is a vegetable vendor in the market of her small town.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL. Sona is celebrating Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, and among the most spectacular gatherings I witnessed in my travels. A time to forgive and to be forgiven, Holi marks the coming of spring, when good triumphs over evil.This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.
She became shy as soon as she saw the camera.
In some environments, it is the pressure to look attractive.
In others, on the contrary, it is the pressure to look modest.
CHICHICASTENANGO, GUATEMALA. Maria is a vegetable vendor in the market of her small town. She became shy as soon as she saw the camera.
Her name is Mahsa, which means like a moon in Persian.
At times, these isolated areas even defy expectations.
For instance, in Iran, Noroc found herself to be welcomed warmly as a Westerner.
TEHRAN, IRAN. Her name is Mahsa, which means “like a moon” in Persian. When she was an adolescent, her father insisted that she study to become a doctor, but Mahsa was more interested in the arts and she chose to become a graphic designer. She is proud that from the time she turned eighteen, she has been financially independent, and soon plans to open her own firm.
We are very different but at the same time we are all part of the same family.
The Atlas of Beautyis nowavailable for pre-order on Amazon.
CheckNoroc’s websitefor a list of international retailers.
- REYKJAVIK, ICELAND. : I met Thorunn in her hometown on a freezing day. But her warm personality made me forget the cold. A popular singer in Iceland, she was also a new mom to a baby girl, whom she wants to grow up happy and confident. So Thorunn started an online community called “Good Sister,” which drew a third of the women in her country to join in support of one another by sharing their stories and giving encouragement.
I met Thorunn in her hometown on a freezing day.
But her warm personality made me forget the cold.
The Atlas of Beautyincludes 500 stunning portraits of women from around the world.
NEW YORK, USA. Abby and Angela are sisters with an Ethiopian mother and a Nigerian father. Both parents worked for the United Nations so the sisters grew up in six different countries, on three different continents. This gave them a broad perspective and allowed them to see where need was the greatest. After graduation, they both plan to move to Africa and put their knowledge in the service of that amazing continent.
NEW YORK, USA.
Abby and Angela are sisters with an Ethiopian mother and a Nigerian father.
This gave them a broad perspective and allowed them to see where need was the greatest.
OMO VALLEY, ETHIOPIA. With the high temperatures here, nudity is not unusual. Her tribe is called the Daasanach and they have lived in isolation for generations.
Photographer Mihaela Noroc started the project in 2013, inspired by a trip to Ethiopia.
OMO VALLEY, ETHIOPIA.
With the high temperatures here, nudity is not unusual.
DELPHI, GREECE. On a normal day, Eleni works in her family’s restaurant. But once a year, she dresses like this for Easter. It’s fascinating to see that, despite the fact that Greece is a modern country, it preserves many of its ancient traditions.
Her tribe is called the Daasanach and they have lived in isolation for generations.
On a normal day, Eleni works in her familys restaurant.
But once a year, she dresses like this for Easter.
HAVANA, CUBA. An actress? A model? No, she wishes only to finish her studies and become a nurse.
No, she wishes only to finish her studies and become a nurse.
But she wants to someday have an art gallery, one that will bring together artists from different cultures.
She has African and European roots and loves the diversity of the world.
PARIS, FRANCE. I met Imane at an art exhibition at the Pompidou Centre, her favorite place to dream, before she had to leave for a job interview. She is studying art at a university and also works in three restaurants and does some babysitting to support herself. But she wants to someday have an art gallery, one that will bring together artists from different cultures. She has African and European roots and loves the diversity of the world.
She has traveled to over 50 countries, spending time with each woman to get her story.
During my travels, Ive met so many stunning women who told me they dont feel beautiful at all.
But thats not the case with Pinar.She is Turkish Cypriot and has long dreamed of becoming a theatre actress.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY. During my travels, I’ve met so many stunning women who told me they don’t feel beautiful at all. Influenced by the way the media depicts beauty, many people feel pressured to follow a certain standard of beauty. But that’s not the case with Pinar.She is Turkish Cypriot and has long dreamed of becoming a theatre actress. So, she moved from Cyprus to Turkey, worked hard and fulfilled her dream. While she loves playing different roles on stage, in real life, she adores being herself, natural and free. In the end, beauty is about being yourself, something people like Pinar prove to be true.
So, she moved from Cyprus to Turkey, worked hard and fulfilled her dream.
In the end, beauty is about being yourself, something people like Pinar prove to be true.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. Captain Berenice Torres is a helicopter pilot for the Mexican Federal Police. This brave woman, who is also a mother, is part of a special forces unit to fight drug cartels, or to rescue people from natural disasters.
Captain Berenice Torres is a helicopter pilot for the Mexican Federal Police.
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES.
One year ago, I came back to Palestine for my studies.
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Amal—her name means “hope” in Arabic—is Palestinian, but has lived in Saudi Arabia from age five, when her family moved there. “One year ago, I came back to Palestine for my studies. I really feel at home here. I feel I can become the woman I want to be.”
I really feel at home here.
I feel I can become the woman I want to be.
I want to honor the wonderful women of our world.
NAMPAN, MYANMAR. For many people around the world, this is what shopping looks like. They don’t have their own cars, or big homes, or bank accounts. But most of them are great examples of dignity, strength, generosity, and honesty. If more of those who have fortunes and power would learn from these wonderful people, we would live in a much better world.
To show that their beauty has no bounds, so acceptance, love, and compassion shouldnt either.
For many people around the world, this is what shopping looks like.
They dont have their own cars, or big homes, or bank accounts.
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA. Rarely have I seen such a concentration of uniforms; they are everywhere in this society. This woman was a guide at a military museum.
But most of them are great examples of dignity, strength, generosity, and honesty.
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA.
Rarely have I seen such a concentration of uniforms; they are everywhere in this society.
WEST JERUSALEM, ISRAEL. When I saw her walking on the street, I briefly thought that we had gone back in time. Rikki loves to wear vintage clothes and is very creative. She was born in Russia to a Jewish family and decided to move to Jerusalem.
This woman was a guide at a military museum.
WEST JERUSALEM, ISRAEL.
When I saw her walking on the street, I briefly thought that we had gone back in time.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Awhile ago, Jade took out a loan, bought a professional camera, and started to learn photography. She dreams of traveling and taking photos all over the world. I had the same dream—and it came true.
Rikki loves to wear vintage clothes and is very creative.
She was born in Russia to a Jewish family and decided to move to Jerusalem.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.
MILAN, ITALY. Caterina began dancing when she was three years old. Her mother, Barbara, was supportive, but knew that there were few opportunities to study ballet in their small town so, although her husband and son stayed behind, she moved with Caterina to Milan, where her daughter could fulfill her dream and attend one of the most esteemed schools in the world. Art requires huge sacrifices, but imagine how Barbara feels today seeing Caterina dancing on the celebrated stage of La Scala.
Awhile ago, Jade took out a loan, bought a professional camera, and started to learn photography.
She dreams of traveling and taking photos all over the world.
I had the same dreamand it came true.
Caterina began dancing when she was three years old.
