Vitiligo, which is a condition where the skin loses pigmentation, has been part of the barrier against conventionally accepted beauty standards in sectors like fashion for a long time. However, recently models with vitiligo have come forward and broken the mould to counter the overlooked and outdated attitudes. They have taken their personal physical differentiations in their consciously challenging society to consider beauty for what it is—no matter how contrary to convention. Their confidence, self-esteem and trespasses of physical attributes as merely characteristics signals an inclusive transformation of the industry towards authenticity, uniqueness and difference. They make room for others affected in similar ways. This article discusses and highlights ten amazing models with vitiligo that are breaking normative standards of beauty in varied and impressive ways. Each model is evidence of ground-breaking courage, strength and change in a complex world of fashion.
1. Winnie Harlow
- Age: 31 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Jamaican-Canadian
Winnie Harlow is perhaps the most recognizable face of vitiligo in fashion. From her discovery on America’s Next Top Model, she faced multiple rejections before creating her own career in the modeling industry. With her unique pigmentation distribution, she made history as the first model with vitiligo to walk in major runway shows and campaigns for brands such as Desigual, Fendi, and Victoria’s Secret. Winnie has instilled confidence, self-love, and inspired millions of people across the world, which has enabled her to personify change in the industry. No matter what position she started in, Winnie turned being bullied for her skin into becoming a top fashion icon.
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2. Amy Deanna
Image Credit: source
- Age: 31 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: African-American
Amy DeAnna made headlines when she was featured in a campaign for a foundation by CoverGirl, as the first model with vitiligo. The significance of her inclusion in the commercial was so powerful because it conveyed representation and inclusion. Amy was not simply advocating beauty products, she was advocating global visibility and acceptance of people’s skin conditions. Amy is a reminder that vitiligo is not a deficit, she has a superpower, just by demonstrating her public visibility in mainstream beauty advertisements. Amy continues to advocate for self-love, racial diversity and authenticity in the beauty advertisement industry.
3. April Star
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- Age: 20 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: African-American
April Star is a young model who became known when a photograph of her went viral on social media. She was diagnosed with vitiligo clinically at six years old, and began modeling at a young age to not only tackle bullying, but to highlight skin diversity. While doing this, her ease of beauty and passion quickly attracted the interest of leading fashion houses in the industry and entertainment media. Since then, when she is not modeling to the world, she is shooting with celebrities and advocating for vitiligo awareness. The difference between April and others is, of course, her age! She is still a young girl and has single-handedly chipped away at helping reduce much of the stigmas around the fashion industry, and has allowed all children to have their kaleidoscope of bodies.
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4. Shahad Salman
Image Credit: source
- Age: 29 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Saudi Arabian
Saudi Arabian model, Shahad Salman has gained international attention for her striking likeness to Winnie Harlow and for unapologetically embracing her life with vitiligo. As a proud woman of Middle Eastern descent with vitiligo, she is not only shattering local beauty norms, she is also breaking down global beauty stereotypes. When she was featured in the June cover of Vogue Arabia, there was a collective punch in the gut by fashion as a whole. To get your name on the cover of Vogue is a big deal in general, but to have that name on the cover of Vogue in the Arab world to the entire Arab community was especially appreciated and meaningful. Shahad’s inclusion also reinforced the need for regional representation and openly challenged the concept of Arab beauty. While she is still physically pushing boundaries as a model, she continues to verbally challenge boundaries by advocating for self-love and is also encouraging others from conservative cultures to appreciate their differences.
5. Ash Soto
Image Credit: source
- Age: 29 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Puerto Rican-American
Ash Soto, an American influencer and ex-competitive swimmer, began modeling and creating content after being diagnosed with vitiligo in her teens. Though she initially embraced her condition, Ash would ultimately hide it, but eventually started turning her patches of vitiligo into body art – a journey of transforming insecurities into creative representation and body empowerment. After watching her body-perfect posts go viral, Ash began to amass a loyal following and modeling opportunities. Ash now leverages her audience to advocate self-acceptance and routinely discusses the emotional journey of living with vitiligo. Her experiences exemplify resilience, and remind us of the potential benefits when we open our lives to accepting the very thing that makes you different (and look for the upside in change) and the new opportunities you can open in life and fashion.
6. Bailey Ramirez
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- Age: 35 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Latina-American
Bailey Ramirez is a young and bold Latina-American model with vitiligo who not only built a strong identity. It was her fearless attitude and confidence that garnered a large audience. Bailey’s social media journey quickly took off when she began to share her journey openly. Her transparent, open, and genuine posts resonated with so many people that her powerful pictures and words went viral. Bailey uses her growing platform to raise awareness about vitiligo faces as they continue to contend with narrow definitions of beauty within and especially in the Latinx community. She collaborates with fashion brands that prioritize diversity and inclusion and often participates in campaigns focused on skin positivity.
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7. Curtis McDaniel
Image Credit: source
- Age: 30 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: African-American
Curtis McDaniel stands out as one of the few male models with vitiligo who has caught fire in the fashion space. His colorfully symmetrically misaligned skin (head to toe), primarily around his eyes and mouth, is beautiful and makes a big impression; both camera and audience can not resist. Curtis has been fortunate enough to work with some of the best brands in the world and is often commended for his presence and confidence. Curtis is changing the process of beauty in male fashion and allowing his editorials and campaigns to take a stand for authentic beauty, while deviating from symmetry and uniformity.
8. Breanne Rice
Image Credit: source
- Age: 40 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Caucasian-American
Breanne Rice, a former beauty queen and model, developed vitiligo in her early twenties. She covered up her highlights racer with layers of makeup and was constantly hiding her skin. After ‘surviving’ her initial public experience with vitiligo on The Bachelor, Breanne decided that not only would she “go public,” but she would also share her skin with everyone and partially disclose herself without the “filters” we often use. Breanne’s journey of honesty and allowing herself to show the real her, was a career and life- changing moment. Now Breanne is a motivational speaker, wellness coach and a very established and sought after model who promotes body positivity. Breanne illustrates how, with inner strength and self-love, we can overcome our body insecurities imposed by ourselves and the powers/pressures we all face in society.
9. Prarthana Jagan
Image Credit: source
- Age: 29 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Indian
Prarthana Jagan is a model and digital content creator from India who was diagnosed with vitiligo when she was eleven years old. Prarthana grew up in a society where possessing fair, perfect skin is valued above all else and struggled to accept this diagnosis; eventually realizing that there was strength within owning her appearance. Prarthana uses her social media platforms to share her personal journey, with the purpose of introducing vitiligo awareness to a wider audience as well as rejecting traditional South Asian beauty expectations. Prarthana’s unique appearance and informed activism has appeared in several outlets and opportunities to work with brands.
10. Yvesmark Chery
Image Credit: source
- Age: 27 (as of 2025)
- Ethnicity: Haitian-American
Yvesmark Chery is an up-and-coming Haitian-American model who unapologetically displays his vitiligo in editorials and campaigns. His distinctive look and magnetic personality make him a sensation in the industry. Yvesmark’s depigmentation pattern gained attention, leading him to share his experiences with other skin diversity. He has been a part of major fashion campaigns and speaks up about proper representation of Black men with vitiligo. Yvesmark emphasizes beauty is not disillusioned in perfection but celebrating differences. He also works with youth struggling with insecurities based on appearance. His confident, stylish, and positive persona exemplifies the growing inclusive movement.
Conclusion
The fashion industry, by now featuring models with vitiligo, is a perfect metaphor on both the accomplishments made in inclusivity and representation, and the amount of work left to do. Each of these ten individuals have used their personal stories and journeys not only to start movements, but to create entirely new narratives and conversations around beauty and diversity in skin tone. When they represent their vitiligo in their works, they are rejecting notions of traditional beauty norms – and they do that while inspiring other people too. No matter if they’re modeling for magazine covers, creating large-scale global fashion campaigns, or talking about beauty on the internet, they are progressing every day. They are demonstrating that diversity is not a moment in fashion, but progress.
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