The INSIDER Summary:
- Winnie Harlow is a 23-year-old model from Canada.
- Recently, she posed for a nearly nude selfie on Instagram to make a point about body positivity.
- "The real difference isn't my skin. It's the fact that I don't find my beauty in the opinions of others. I'm beautiful because I know it," she said.
- Harlow's message is now going viral, with over 481,000 users liking the post.
Over the past few years, social media users have been pushing for a more inclusive definition of beauty.
One model with the skin condition vitiligo is going viral for embracing her individual beauty in a nearly nude photo she posted to Instagram. Vitiligo is characterized by white patches on the skin that develop when pigment-forming cells are destroyed, according to WebMD.
Winnie Harlow shared the August 16 selfie, which we first saw on People, to show off her patches and prove there's power in being unique.
Posing confidently with her head tilted back, the 23-year-old model captioned the post: "The real difference isn't my skin. 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 (& everyday)!"
Fans flooded Harlow's comments with praise.
"So incredible to see @winnieharlow! Your skin is so beautiful and so are you for sharing to the world with such positivity. Love it! Keep it coming," one Instagram user wrote.
Another person wrote: "How many applauds can I give this post. [sic] You are such an inspiration."
"Needed to hear this! Thank you," someone else commented.
This isn't the first time Harlow has used her platform to speak out. Her Instagram account is essentially a memo board for body positivity and self-love.
The former "America's Next Top Model" contestant has been vocal when speaking publicly as well. Several media outlets have quoted her saying that she's "proud" of her skin. She also wants others to feel just as confident as she does despite ever-changing beauty standards, according to her interview with Coveteur.
"My beauty philosophy is very general — beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I try not to focus on what someone else thinks is beautiful, Harlow said. "People will always say, 'What is your definition of beauty?' or 'What is beauty to you?' It doesn’t matter. What is beautiful to you? Let’s stick to that. You don’t have to search for someone else’s definition of beauty to know what is beautiful to you."
Despite pressure to look a certain way within the fashion industry, it's inspiring to see someone encouraging others to simply love the skin they're in.
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