Being a person whose very life revolves around the
fashion industry and ultimately, Hollywood, I am no stranger to the controversy
around what is perceived as the ultimate ‘beauty’. When one is faced with that
topic, the usual thoughts pop out: thin, tall, long neck, high cheekbones, etc.
What lights my heart up is the fact that everyday there
are those special individuals who work to break that status quo! I admire them,
and strive to be as daring and strong as they are. You are probably thinking
this is going in the direction of plus-size models, and it will, one day. Today
I am blogging about an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment that affects the eyes, hair and
skin. Albinism is a condition that has been the unfortunate cause of a lot of
discrimination, superstitions (and I mean, crazy superstitions) and even death
all across the globe. Besides all the negativity around albinos, I came across
a few models who decided to chase their dreams and prove to the world, that
yes, albinos can too be beautiful!
Before
I whip out the obvious international superstars, I am going to first brag about
our local golden girls! Thando Hopa was discovered by South African fashion
designer, Gert-Johan Coetzee in a shopping mall. An article from
mediablackberry.com praised her saying that ‘recently all eyes were on Hopa again. This time she was striding
confidently down the catwalk and earning newspaper accolades as South Africa’s "the new
face of fashion" and "fashion's new colour".’
My next model was the first South African albino to walk
the runway for fashion designer, David Tlale in 2005. Personally I just love
the fact that when you search her on Google her images are mostly of her giving
the biggest and most friendly smile! She made me smile by just smiling. Refilwe
Modiselle started her modelling career at the age of 13 and is still going
strong.
Now that I am done boasting about my fellow South
Africans, my next two models are highly known internationally and downright
sexy. The first is the ever-so-fierce Diandra Forrest. She is a 5’11’’ tall
model who was born in New York, 1990. She was
teased, taunted and had her ethnic background questioned while growing up in
the Bronx. She's signed with the prestigious Ford Models in Paris after
initially starting her career with Elite.
Lastly, Shaun Ross, a male model who was
born in the Bronx, New York, 1991. Shaun was discovered as an
Alvin Ailey dancer from a YouTube video and then became the first African American albino
to do a big show when he walked the runway for Tim Hamilton in 2008… as yes;
he is the one from Katy Perry’s awesome music video, E.T.
Here are a few photos from a photo shoot that shows Diandra and Shaun showing
their stuff for West East Magazine’s October 2012 issue. Photographed by Emin
Kadi:
No Matter what discrimination you are dealing with, show the world your beauty!
xx
odd fashion geek
