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.

Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin September 21, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

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

Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin September 21, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

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

YOU SOUTH AFRICA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
YOU South Africa

PUSHED TO THE LIMIT

The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
YOU South Africa

HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY

Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache

time-read
10+ dak  |
5 September 2024
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
YOU South Africa

THE GROWN-UP BRAIN

If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!

time-read
3 dak  |
5 September 2024
THE eyes HAVE IT
YOU South Africa

THE eyes HAVE IT

They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area

time-read
1 min  |
5 September 2024
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
YOU South Africa

WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER

It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry

time-read
4 dak  |
5 September 2024
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
YOU South Africa

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!

Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
YOU South Africa

'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'

When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
YOU South Africa

SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!

A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
YOU South Africa

READY TO SMILE AGAIN

A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
YOU South Africa

HARRY AT A CROSSROADS

As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life

time-read
8 dak  |
5 September 2024