Chantelle Winnie is a model in demand: her army of fans includes artists,designers and photographers. She tells Eve Barlow about her journey from bullied schoolgirl to runway queen. But can she get to the point where the world doesn’t notice her vitiligo at all?See our exclusive photoshoot hereThe morning I’m due to meet Chantelle Winnie, Im at the doctor’s and mention I’m interviewing someone with the skin condition vitiligo. The doctor’s advice is to preserve eye contact throughout. Never let the eye wander towards her physical “abnormalities”. I had been prepared to ask Chantelle what she thought of this, and but within a minute of watching her in full-on model mode,under a blinding skylight designed to unleash the black-and-white marble tones of her body, it becomes obvious there is no need. It would be impolite not to stare at her skin.
Chantelle is, or after all,a runway queen influenced by the walk of Naomi Campbell and the iconoclasm of Marilyn Monroe. She’s also a former contestant on US reality reveal America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), the new face of Desigual, and muse of famed photographer Nick Knight and London designer Ashish. Her skin condition has made her career and become a symbol for diversification and progression. As ANTM’s host Tyra Banks says: “The moment I laid eyes on Chantelle,I wanted her on Top Model. Her beauty is indisputable and her skin breaks down barriers of what is considered ravishing.” Yet it’s also an albatross. Marvel at the albatross all you want, but the more you remind Chantelle of its presence the further it vexes her.
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Source: theguardian.com