Perfectly Flawed
YOU South Africa|September 21, 2017

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

Nici De Wet
Perfectly Flawed

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.

This story is from the September 21, 2017 edition of YOU South Africa.

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This story is from the September 21, 2017 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

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