Photographer Mihaela on the back of a motorbike during her travels in Asia
It was a trip to Ethiopia in 2013 that inspired Mihaela Noroc’s Atlas of Beauty project. The Romanian-born photographer was mesmerised by the women she saw there, ‘shining with dignity, strength and beauty’, she remembers, despite their often challenging environments.
Mihaela began to travel the world with her camera, capturing the remarkable faces she encountered – and what started as a small, personal pursuit became a full-blown project, supported by millions of online followers and funded by their donations.
From Africa and India to China and the USA, she mingled with the local women, sometimes meeting them for only a few seconds, but learning something from each of them.
‘Beauty can teach us tolerance, honesty and kindness,’ she says, ‘and our world needs these values more than ever.’
Now her collection is being published in a stunning new book of 500 portraits from 50 countries, some of which are shown on these pages. They demonstrate that ‘beauty is about being yourself – natural and authentic – and letting people see what’s inside you’.
The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc will be published by Particular Books on 26 September, price £25.
To pre-order a copy for £18.75 (a 25 per cent discount) until 1 October, visit you-bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640; P&P is free on orders over £15