Winnie Harlow Rocking Bantu Knots On The Cover Of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore Is Life-Giving!

Diversity might be the buzzword in fashion these days, but there are still complaints by black models that even when they’re hired for jobs, important things like their hair texture isn’t taking into consideration. So what happens is their hair is left at the mercy of stylists who know next to nothing about the afro hair.

This is why we’re super gassed about Winnie Harlow rocking the Bantu Knots on the cover of the newest edition of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.

The model took to her Instagram to thank the publication for understanding the importance of black hair. “You don’t understand what this cover means to me! Thank you  @harpersbazaarsg @kennieboy and @yutsai88 for this amazing cover and for understanding the importance of Black Hair Care and booking my personal hair dresser @ynotkeeb to achieve all the styles requested! We need more people who understand different textures of hair! Our industry is so into the diversity of models right now, but our industry is made of so many other jobs including photographers, stylist, hair, makeup, casting directors etc! We need FULL DIVERSITY! Thank you Harpers Bazaar Singapore for making this step for diversity,” she wrote.

In her interview with the magazine, the 23-year-old who has come a long way since she was first discovered on Instagram by Tyra Banks also spoke on the need for more beauty brands to include darker shades in their products.

‘When I was younger, there was still no such thing as darker shades. Once I reached high school was when they started with a little here and there, and now it’s (even more of) a big change from five years ago. But a lot of brands still have a way to go. Some brands are really understanding that it’s discrimination (not to have more shades). And it is, period,” she says.

The Canadian model who is generally seen as an unofficial spokesperson for people living with Vitiligo revealed she doesn’t put herself under too much pressure to be seen as a role model.

“I think it’s whether you put the pressure on yourself to be a role model. I don’t. I’m human like everyone else,” she says matter-of-factly. “We all do amazing things; we all do stupid things.”

Read more of her interview here.

Credits

Photography: Yu Tsai
Styling: Windy Aulia
Makeup: Rachel Goodwin/Streeters
Hair: Makeba Lindsay
Manicure: Erin Moffett/Opus Beauty
Photography assistants: Robiee Ziegler, Frankie Carino
Styling assistant: Austin Wittick