A few years ago, Winnie Harlow was backstage at a fashion show in Paris, standing in front of a mirror with stylists adjusting fabrics and tying invisible seams. She appeared composed, almost aloof, as though she had already visited this place in her imagination before ever setting foot here. It’s difficult to overlook the way the room, which was populated by models who adhered to more traditional standards of beauty, seemed to quietly rearrange itself around her.
At the age of four, Chantelle Brown-Young, who was born in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, was diagnosed with vitiligo. She became noticeable in ways that most kids never do because of the condition, which causes pigmentation to fade in certain areas of her skin. Classmates took notice. cruelly at times. She attended several different schools before completely abandoning traditional schooling. It seems as though those formative years not only helped her become resilient, but also made her define herself before the outside world did.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young |
| Professional Name | Winnie Harlow |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Birthplace | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Profession | Fashion Model, Entrepreneur, Activist |
| Known For | Modeling with vitiligo, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show |
| Business Venture | Founder of Cay Skin |
| Partner | Kyle Kuzma |
| Reference | https://www.models.com/models/winnie-harlow |
She made an appearance on America’s Next Top Model in 2014 after Tyra Banks found her on Instagram. At first, the publicity appeared to be a breakthrough. However, the results were not immediately successful. Agencies paused. There was no deluge of campaigns. It’s possible to see both hope and skepticism coexisting in those early interviews, as though she wasn’t yet completely certain the industry would accept her.
The speed at which fashion changes is not as fast as it seems.
Through specialized campaigns, European editorials, and moments that didn’t always make headlines, she rose to prominence gradually. At the time, opportunities from brands like Diesel and Desigual felt avant-garde. It’s still unclear whether those choices were motivated by cautious curiosity or sincere belief. However, momentum tends to develop its own logic once it gets going.
She participated in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show by 2018, which was a significant milestone that went well beyond a runway.
She stood apart from the event’s choreography while blending in backstage in those now-famous wings. As though realizing something the industry hadn’t yet fully accepted, the cameras seemed to focus on her for a longer period of time than usual. One gets the impression that the occasion was more about correction than inclusion. After all, visibility can be a very effective form of payment.
She was drawn into television, advertising campaigns, and ultimately entrepreneurship as her influence grew beyond modeling. Her personal dissatisfaction with sunscreens that left noticeable residue on her skin led her to launch the Cay Skin brand in 2022. This transition from brand ambassador to brand owner may have been unavoidable. Historically, models have rarely been given that level of authority.
Raising capital, she encountered rejection and heard different forms of “no” that sounded like they were from earlier in her career. She persevered, though, and eventually raised over $6 million. It seems clear from watching this develop that her business success questioned preconceptions about ownership as well as beauty.
Her story was shaped by social media in its own way. Her Instagram, which has millions of followers, feels more like a curation of identity than marketing. High fashion glamour can be seen in some posts. Others show more subdued moments, such as family gatherings, introspection, and daily activities. Whether viewers identify more with the person or the icon is still up for debate.
She was drawn into the realm of sports celebrity culture by her engagement to NBA player Kyle Kuzma, which added another level of complexity. However, she appears to remain independent there as well, not allowing the relationship to dictate her professional path. In a time when public personalities can readily become extensions of one another’s brands, that distinction is crucial. Alongside her, fashion has changed.
Previously presented as a risk, diversity is now viewed as a strategy. Difference is increasingly portrayed in campaigns as something positive rather than disruptive. It’s unclear if this represents true advancement or market adaptation. Industries frequently change in response to consumer demands rather than before.
That change was sped up by her presence. In retrospect, it’s easy to assume that her story was inevitable. However, once uncertainty is eliminated, inevitability is frequently a false illusion. There were times when rejection felt permanent rather than fleeting, and success wasn’t assured.
Still, she continued to move. There is a quiet confidence that seems earned rather than projected when one watches her today—on runways, in advertising campaigns, and running her own business. She doesn’t seem to be pursuing approval these days. Instead, approval appears to come after her.
However, there seems to be more to her story than meets the eye. Fashion is constantly changing and looking for new symbols. However, Winnie Harlow might have changed completely. Not merely a sign. Something more robust.