On June 25^th, which the community knows as World Vitiligo Day, a new figure was unveiled in the heart of New York City. Not just any figure, but a stunning waxwork of Winnie Harlow, the groundbreaking model, entrepreneur, and global vitiligo advocate. For many of us, this wasn’t just another celebrity formed into wax, this was an iconic moment for visibility, validation, and celebration.

Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Times Square, Winnie’s wax figure marks the first-ever representation of a person with vitiligo at the world-renowned museum which has global locations including London.

Winnie’s wax twin is dressed in the gold sequinned Zuhair Murad mini dress she wore to the 2023 Victoria’s Secret World Tour, complete with matching gold Christian Louboutin heels, drop earrings, and a radiant smile. The dazzling ensemble, hand-selected by Winnie herself, reflects not just a fashion moment, but a symbol of her confidence, success, and self-love. The attention to detail is remarkable, down to her vitiligo patches, carefully matched to the exact markings she had during her sitting with the artists over a year ago.

But what makes this moment truly powerful is more than aesthetics. It’s what it represents.

“When anyone comes to see my wax work, I hope they feel seen,” Winnie shared during the emotional unveiling. “I hope they see their own beauty reflected.”(As told to Essence magazine)

For a community that has often been underrepresented in media, beauty, and cultural spaces, this wax figure stands as a full-body affirmation. Winnie’s presence in such an iconic setting reminds us all that our skin is not something to hide, it’s something to be seen easy.

The choice to unveil the figure on World Vitiligo Day was intentional. Surrounded by friends and supporters from the vitiligo community who were attending the 3 day World Vitiligo Day event in Tampa, Winnie made it clear that this wasn’t just about her – it was about us.

As someone who has lived all her life with vitiligo, I often reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, in the journey towards full acceptance, not just of vitiligo, but of all the ways we show up in the world. What Winnie has done here isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a cultural landmark. She’s stepped into a legacy, not just in fashion or pop culture, but in advocacy.

Winnie’s journey from bullied schoolgirl to international model, skincare mogul (check out Cay Skin if you havn’t before!), and now wax figure icon isn’t just inspirational, it’s transformational. Her continued success sends a clear message: your difference is your power.

If you are based in New York, or find yourself there someday, make sure a visit to Madame Tussauds is on your itinerary whilst there….