Woman with vitiligo overcomes bullies to become a successful model

'You were meant to be this way'

(Stock Image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A woman with vitiligo who suffered years of cruel comments has finally realised her beauty to become a successful model.

Francesca Conti, 20, from Rome, Italy, was diagnosed with the skin condition when she was 14-years-old after a man noticed a white spot on her face.

Since then, her vitiligo – a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin due to a lack of melanin - has continued to spread over her body leaving her with patches of skin that have lost their colour.

At first, the young model says that people would make cruel comments and she would often get stared at when out in public.

However, she quickly learned to ignore bullies who joked about her condition and instead decided to embrace it.

Despite not knowing much about vitiligo when she was first diagnosed, Conti says that she has discovered just how important it is for people to see different types of beauty.

“I kind of love it, it makes me unique, it makes me who I am,” she told the Mail Online.

“Most people don't care, some people tell me that they admire me for my nonchalance, others compliment me for the beauty of my skin.”

Working as a waitress, Conti had never planned on pursuing a career as a model but stumbled upon it after being approached by a photographer on social media.

After speaking with Maruo Saranga online, she decided to model with him part-time and has since been inundated by other photographers wanting to work with her.

“After my first shooting with him many photographers and artists asked me the same. I think we can say that it's not me modelling, but my vitiligo,” she said.

“I'm not used to all this popularity and I definitely feel the responsibility of the message I'm spreading.”

Coming to terms with her vitiligo has proved an empowering journey for Conti who admits that it hasn’t always been easy.

She often receives mixed reactions from the public, has had to learn to be extra careful in the sun and has even struggled with the response of loved ones.

Nonetheless, she says her friends and family always encourage her and wants other people with vitiligo to know that it is nothing to be ashamed of.

“There’s nothing wrong with vitiligo. You were meant to be this way,” she said.

“Find the strength in you. You are art, just like everyone else, you just need to show it more.”