Chantelle Brown-Young

"Winnie Harlow" is a role model to vitiligo patients everywhere. She is known around the world today but before modeling she was Chantelle Brown-Young. She was the daughter of a single mother, struggling to live a happy life, yet they got through everything together. Chantelle Brown-Young is an inspiration all around the world, after she overcame difficulties, appeared on America's Next Top Model, and continues to have a successful modeling career today.

Winnie Harlow headshot (chantellewinnie.com ())

Professional "Winnie Harlow" is a Canadian model and spokesmodel. Chantelle explains that before she was known as "Winnie", she had no modeling knowledge, and would have never known she would be where she is today. "Modeling was something I just kind of fell into" (Hagerman, Hilary). Chantelle Brown-Young had no idea how successful she'd be, and she's so glad she fought through the hard times so they could all pay off. "Growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, Chantelle was teased mercilessly for being different", says Hilary Hagerman, from the Shine Canada Blog. Winnie is a strong woman, and she never let bullies get in the way.

Chantelle has suffered from vitiligo (a rare skin pigmentation disorder) since she was young, but never let it get in the way of her future modeling career. Chantelle had a hard time in school and managed to overcome the taunting and teasing from her peers. "School was tough. I definitely had problems with self-esteem" (Waldholz, Chantal). She was able to pick herself up through those difficult periods of her life. Chantelle was constantly put in situations where she felt like she had nothing left; "Growing up, she was cruelly nicknamed 'zebra and cow'" (London, Bianca). Even though she had many opportunities to give up, Chantelle made it through everything and pursued a modeling career.

Chantelle poses with Tyra Banks (Dailymail.co.uk ())

Since America's Next Top Model and befriending Tyra Banks, Miss Chantelle has appeared in a few campaign ads for the Spanish clothing brand, Desigual, and is the "brand ambassador" for its "Say Something Nice" campaign. "With her confident, optimistic attitude, she proves that being different is not only beautiful, it gives you personality, makes you more special, and therefore even more attractive" ("Desigual Blog"). Chantelle is given career opportunities all around the world for her courageous acts, but chooses the brands that she knows personally. "Desigual stands for being unusual, unique, and atypical, so they figured I'd be the perfect person for that", she explains. Miss Brown-Young is universally known as Winnie Harlow, but friends and family will always know her as Chantelle.

Winnie Harlow gives hope to vitiligo patients everywhere, and continues to strive for a happy life and career. She stays friends with many models who help and encourage her along the way as needed. Chantelle was a small town girl with no plans of where she was going, but is now an example of how you can do anything you set your mind to.

I am Chantelle Brown-Young

I am 21 years old.

I am a professional model and spokes model.

A single mother raised me.

I pushed through tough times.

Many people look up to me.

I was often embarrassed as a child.

My skin disease got in the way sometimes.

I have an amazing modeling career today.

I am Chantelle Brown-Young.