When we came across Strength Marks, we were immediately captivated by its powerful message. This international campaign celebrates the beauty of marks and scars, boldly challenging toxic beauty standards. Its mission is both admirable and essential in today’s world, where dismantling hegemonic ideals of beauty is more important than ever.
We’re thrilled to introduce you to the inspiring mind behind Strength Marks, Zelda Elisco. Based in California, Zelda is a talented photographer, creative, and designer dedicated to amplifying purpose-driven stories through her work. Her vision and passion shine in every aspect of this incredible movement.
Celebrating Strength Marks
TBN: Zelda, what was your initial goal when you started Strength Marks, and how did that evolve after the first few photoshoots?
ZE: My initial goal when starting the campaign was to see if Strength Marks could influence the way the women in my life – who I championed – saw themselves. In a way, it was very much a creative experiment. I wanted to find out if art could really heal us and inspire positive change.
As the project grew, my goals have taken a similar shape. My mission with the project now is to create a safe space for vulnerable stories to be shared and inspire body-acceptance and celebration. I believe there is great power in being vulnerable, especially in today’s age where the internet can feel like such a curated, polished, place. I want the project to ground us back into all the feels of being human – using vulnerable storytelling and photography to bridge that connection.
TBN: Were there any early challenges you faced when turning this idea into reality? How did you overcome them?
ZE: When I launched Strength Marks at 20 years old, I received a lot of criticism about the project. People didn’t understand the potential impact. For a long time, I felt like I was the only one who could see just how special the project could be. As creatives, one of the challenges we often face is articulating the beautiful vision in our minds. When I launched Strength Marks, I had a strong vision of how all the project’s pieces would fit together, but at times it felt like no one else understood. I chose to persist. I chose to believe in myself and trust that if I followed my instinct, my vision would come to life. I’m very proud of Strength Marks – what it means to people and the impact it has had. Without my resilience and determination, the project wouldn’t exist.
TBN: How did people first react to the idea of decorating and celebrating scars? Did it surprise you?
ZE: Even from the beginning, people have really been excited to participate in the project. I think the symbolism of the glitter on our scars immediately resonates with people.
Transforming Scars Into Strength
TBN: Why do you think it’s important to defy beauty toxic standards?
ZE: I care about challenging society’s beauty standards because the damage they cause is passed down generationally. I believe the toxicity we are taught to believe in is internalized and manifests in every corner of our lives. As a creative, I want the photographs to mean something to people. I want people to see a Strength Marks photograph and be blown away by the raw, candid, unretouched beauty of our bodies. I want Strength Marks to change the way we see ourselves the next time we look in the mirror.
TBN: What has been the most impactful story shared through Strength Marks that reaffirmed your belief in the project’s mission?
ZE: Many of the participants from Strength Marks have come back to me and said that doing the photoshoots has helped them start, or accelerate, their own body-acceptance journey. I’ve had people tell me that the scars I photographed are now a part of themselves that they cherish and love.
For many participants, their stretch marks or scars come from a challenging time in their life or a (health) obstacle they have had to overcome. I hope that by doing the photoshoots and interviews, each participant can change their perspective of their own scars and see them as strengths – the strength to pull through during a difficult time.
TBN: How do you hope Strength Marks will influence younger generations and their perception of beauty?
ZE: My hope is that when younger generations see a Strength Mark’s photo or read an interview, they will immediately feel a sense of peace in their own body. Representation plays a major role in how society shapes our sense of self. The more we see ourselves represented in media or art, the more we feel like we belong and there is a space protected for us in society.
The Community Behind Strength Marks
TBN: How has the community around Strength Marks grown over the years?
ZE: I have received emails from people in Africa, Europe, and Australia! Every email, direct message, or comment I see brings me so much joy. I love it when people reach out and share how Strength Marks has resonated with them and want to participate in the project. I am amazed that the project has reached people across the world.
TBN: How do you nurture a sense of belonging and support within the Strength Marks community?
ZE: I think the project is able to foster a community of support and connection from the diversity of participants and stories that have been told. When people see a Strength Marks photo that looks like them and their scars, there is an immediate bond. The vulnerability behind the project automatically creates a sense of openness and support.
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Your Personal Journey
TBN: How has creating Strength Marks shaped your personal relationship with your own body?
ZE: It has helped me remind myself to be more gentle with myself. Our bodies are always changing, and that is ok. I want to look back and say that I loved myself through each iteration because, in the end, my body allows me to live this wonderful life.
TBN: How have you maintained your creativity and passion for such a purpose-driven project over the years?
ZE: The excitement of growing the project and sharing more stories keeps me motivated to keep going. No person’s story is the same. No person’s body is the same. I feel like there is a limitless amount of impact the campaign can have and wanting to create a positive impact for future generations is what drives me.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
