Winnie Harlow: Embracing Vitiligo and Redefining Beauty

How Winnie Harlow’s journey with vitiligo challenged fashion’s beauty standards and inspired global confidence.

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 2, 2025

How Winnie Harlow’s journey with vitiligo challenged fashion’s beauty standards and inspired global confidence.

Winnie Harlow: Redefining Fashion’s Concept of Beauty

In an industry historically characterized by rigid standards, Winnie Harlow has emerged as a revolutionary force, using her unique experience with vitiligo to challenge the world’s perception of beauty. Her path has offered hope, inspiration, and a powerful voice to millions who have felt judged by societal norms. Harlow’s confidence and activism transcend mere appearance, making her an icon not just in fashion but also in cultural conversation about inclusion and acceptance.

Understanding Vitiligo: More Than a Skin Condition

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by the loss of pigment, resulting in irregular white patches that can appear anywhere on the body. Its striking visual patterns are often most noticeable in individuals with darker skin, attracting unwanted attention, misunderstanding, and unfortunately, social stigma.

Vitiligo affects people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
It is not contagious or harmful to physical health but can deeply affect an individual’s emotional well-being.
Despite increased medical knowledge, there is still no definitive cure.

For many, vitiligo becomes more than a cosmetic concern—it influences self-image, confidence, and social interactions from an early age.

Winnie’s Childhood: Resilience Born From Adversity

Born Chantelle Brown-Young in Canada, Winnie received her initial vitiligo diagnosis at the age of four. The early years of her life were marked by the visible spread of the skin condition—symmetrical white patches first appeared around her eyes, mouth, and eventually extended to other areas.

As Winnie entered school, her uniqueness became an isolating factor. She recounts episodes of relentless bullying and name-calling, recalling how classmates dubbed her with hurtful nicknames such as “zebra” or “cow,” turning her skin into a focal target for cruelty. These repeated taunts led to:

Major self-esteem struggles during adolescence.
Feelings of isolation, depression, and at times, even thoughts of self-harm.
A lifelong tension between her inner sense of self and external perceptions.

Despite these deep challenges, Winnie’s spirit persisted. She gradually cultivated a resilient mindset, famously embracing a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach—affirming her beauty until she truly started to believe it herself.

The Pivot Point: Social Media and Tyra Banks

The turning point in Harlow’s life arrived when she leveraged the visibility of social media. Sharing her story and photos online, Winnie started to build a community, connecting with countless people facing similar experiences of exclusion and prejudice. Her striking appearance and candid vulnerability quickly garnered thousands of followers.

Winnie’s online presence caught the attention of Tyra Banks, host and creator of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). Moved by Winnie’s unique beauty and compelling story, Banks invited her to join the show’s 21st cycle. For the first time, the global fashion spotlight turned to a contestant with vitiligo, challenging viewers and industry professionals to question what beauty could—and should—look like.

Winnie was the first contestant with a visible skin condition on ANTM.
Her presence sparked critical conversations about diversity, representation, and the importance of self-love.
Winnie described her selection as a defining moment, stating: “The fact that she [Tyra] wanted me so badly for her show will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

Redefining Beauty for a Global Audience

Winnie’s journey on America’s Next Top Model did more than just advance her career; it increased public awareness about vitiligo and broadened mainstream attitudes toward unconventional beauty. While she did not ultimately win the show’s title, Winnie’s impact resonated far beyond the season’s finale:

She became a literal and figurative face of vitiligo in mass media.
Her story ignited dialogue around body image and the narrow constructs of ‘perfection’ in fashion.
Winnie turned her perceived ‘flaw’ into her trademark, joining the ranks of icons such as Cindy Crawford, whose beauty mark became legendary.

Becoming an International Fashion Icon

Harlow’s fame only expanded post-ANTM. She graced runways and magazine covers around the world, breaking further barriers by appearing as the first model with vitiligo at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her visibility opened unprecedented doors, including a role as global brand ambassador for major labels and beauty companies.

Beneath her professional triumphs, Winnie faced challenges that brought new depth to her platform. The constant media focus on her condition often threatened to reduce her identity solely to her skin, rather than her professional skills, unique personality, or achievements. She has addressed this with candor and frustration:

“I’ve dealt with way worse traumas than my skin condition. To put me in this one small box bothers me. I’m grateful to do what I love every day, but I’m excited for people to talk about my next chapter.”

Today, Winnie advocates for accepting all aspects of her complex identity—model, activist, entrepreneur, and more, not just ‘the model with vitiligo.’

Challenges in the Fashion Industry

The fashion and beauty industries are notorious for enforcing homogenous ideals, often excluding those with physical differences. Winnie’s unapologetic approach to her skin forced agencies, brands, and audiences to reconsider:

The exclusivity of ‘flawless’ skin as a beauty standard.
The importance of authentic representation in media and advertising.
The power of personal narrative and confidence in rewriting cultural expectations.

Impact and Global Inspiration

Winnie’s ascent sent ripples through the worlds of entertainment, advocacy, and everyday life. She became a role model whose influence extended beyond fashion to areas such as:

Mental health awareness, especially regarding bullying and resilience.
The pursuit of diversity and inclusion in all forms of representation.
Motivational speaking, sharing her experiences to empower young people worldwide.

Her evolution from victim to victor has validated and uplifted countless individuals—demonstrating that embracing one’s differences can be the most radical act of self-love.

Winnie’s Own Words: The Power of Affirmation

Winnie advises others to claim their beauty, even before they feel it. “I just decided, ‘You know what? I’m going to keep telling myself I’m beautiful until I feel beautiful.’ And it happened.”
Her mantra underscores the transformative role of self-talk in overcoming adversity.

Pushing Further: Entrepreneurship and Activism

Not content to simply model diversity, Winnie has become an outspoken advocate for change. Her activism focuses on challenging stigmas attached to physical differences, promoting awareness about vitiligo, and pushing industries to expand their definitions of beauty.

In her entrepreneurial pursuits, Winnie launched her own skincare brand, inspired by her personal struggles during photo shoots and the lack of suitable products catering to unique needs. She advocates for:

Inclusive beauty products that cater to all skin types and tones.
Better sun protection for those with vitiligo, who often face particular challenges due to their skin’s reduced pigmentation.
Greater visibility for underrepresented voices in beauty and wellness.

Table: Winnie Harlow’s Achievements and Impact

Milestone	Significance
First vitiligo model on ANTM	Challenged stereotypes; inspired millions with similar conditions
Runway debut at Victoria’s Secret	Breakthrough moment for inclusivity in high fashion
Cover features in global magazines	Broadened the definition of beauty in mainstream media
Entrepreneur and activist	Promoted practical solutions and encouraged other marginalized individuals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is vitiligo and how does it affect people?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes patchy depigmentation, often noticeable in those with darker skin. It is not contagious, but due to its visibility, can bring significant emotional and social challenges.

How did Winnie Harlow become famous?

Winnie gained recognition after social media exposure led Tyra Banks to select her as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model. Since then, she has become an international model, advocate, and entrepreneur.

How has Winnie Harlow influenced the fashion industry?

By proudly showcasing her vitiligo and refusing to cover her natural appearance, Winnie challenged rigid beauty standards and pushed for broader representation. Her success helped normalize diverse skin conditions in mainstream fashion.

What advice does Winnie Harlow offer to others facing bullying or social pressure?

Winnie encourages using positive affirmation, resilience, and community connection. She advises individuals to embrace their uniqueness and resist negative societal labels, emphasizing that true beauty begins with self-acceptance.

Does Winnie continue to advocate for awareness beyond fashion?

Yes. She regularly speaks at events, collaborates with advocacy groups, and promotes educational campaigns around vitiligo and self-acceptance, while also launching businesses to support the needs of diverse consumers.

Key Takeaways and Lessons

Authenticity is powerful: Embracing one’s unique features can create groundbreaking shifts in cultural attitudes.
Representation matters: Seeing diverse figures in popular media validates experiences and inspires confidence in others.
Confidence is built over time: Self-love often begins as an act of will before it becomes instinctive.
Community and dialogue drive progress: Open conversation about difference erodes stigma and promotes acceptance.

Conclusion: More Than Her Skin

Winnie Harlow’s impact is multifaceted—her beauty is only one dimension of her contribution to culture, fashion, and advocacy. By confronting and embracing her vitiligo, she transformed adversity into opportunity, not just changing her own life, but shifting how the world sees those who are different. Her journey is a call for society to celebrate, rather than conceal, what makes each person unique. In her own words, and by her unassailable presence, Winnie Harlow continues to redefine not just what it means to be beautiful, but what it means to truly belong.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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