Perfectly Flawed

Model and activist Winnie Harlow learnt long ago to ignore the haters and be comfortable in her own skin

- Nici De Wet

SHE was mercilessly mock­ed for her skin condition and bullied for years in a world that shuns imper­fection. But model Winnie Harlow is proud of the vitiligo that sets her apart – and to show her days of hiding are long gone she recently posted a nearly nude selfie on Instagram.

She shared the snap with her 2,6 million followers along with a message of self­ love. “The real difference isn’t my skin,” she wrote. “It’s the fact that I don’t find my beauty in the opinions of others. I’m beau­tiful because I know it. Celebrate your unique beauty today (and every day)!”

Her comments section exploded, with people lavishing praise on the 23­year­ old, calling her “beautiful”, “amazingly unique” and “a special gem”.

“You’ve helped me embrace my vitili­go,” one fan wrote. “If I ever have any doubt I just look to you as an example of self­love. Thank you!”

The Canadian beauty – who defied the odds to become one of the biggest names in the modelling industry – has spoken openly about the mocking she endured while growing up, until she realised her opinion was all that really mattered. 

“The only reason I didn’t like my skin was because I was told it wasn’t what’s right. Or I was told it wasn’t normal. But who’s to say that?

“Eventually I learnt that my opinion of myself matters so much more than any­ one else’s and I wish I’d known it earlier. One day I just didn’t give a f**k anymore.”

Her empowering stance hasn’t gone unnoticed among her celebrity peers – people such as Beyoncé.