Winnie Harlow shares powerful message for World Vitiligo Day

Model Winnie Harlow has long used her platform to be a vocal advocate for vitiligo, a condition that causes areas of the skin to lose color. The Canadian entrepreneur was diagnosed with the condition at age 4, and through her advocacy work, she has become a representative for those who also suffer from the condition.

Today, June 25, is World Vitiligo Day, and the 29-year-old took to her Instagram account to share an important message with her 10.1 million followers on the platform. In her caption, Harlow reflected on working with Shahad Salman, another model with vitiligo, for a Vogue Arabia cover of the magazine in 2019.

“I’m so happy she has someone to relate to. It’s human nature 🫶🏾 we crave that connection,” Harlow wrote. “I have had the pleasure of meeting, receiving messages and being tagged by many of you over the years and just as you can finally see yourself through me, I see myself through you. My younger self longed to have this community. See myself in others.

In addition to the magazine’s cover image, Harlow’s carousel featured photos of her alongside other people with vitiligo.

“It’s not easy to never recognize who you see in the mirror. It’s not easy to be ridiculed for things you can’t control,” she continued. “I’m proud of you. I understand 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽🤍You were born a swan 🦢 don’t let narrow-minded people make you believe otherwise.

Several fans chimed in in the comments section to thank the SI Swimsuit legend for using her platform to bring recognition to the day while uplifting others.

“I just found out I have vitiligo two weeks ago,” one person wrote. “I was scared for a minute because I’m working on an acting career, but then I thought of you and the fear disappeared🤎 Thank you so much for playing a positive role, beautiful queen!!!❤ ❤❤.”