She may have come sixth in the popular model search but it was enough to get her noticed by major industry players, landing herself campaigns with the likes of Desigual and Diesel.
She was the most-talked about model at New York Fashion Week earlier this year and has high hopes of making the cover of Vogue – a dream that may soon be realised the way she’s going.
Winnie changed her name from Chantelle Brown-Young to “summon confidence”, she says, in an industry where perfection reigns supreme.
Perfect is something the 20-year-old Canadian is not: she was diagnosed with the pigment disorder vitiligo when she was four and has prominent patches of discolouration on her face and body.
Her fame has brought her hordes of fans – many of whom have been posting images to social media wearing make-up to resemble their heroine.
But their messages have caused a controversy, with many comparing what was meant to be a form of support and admiration to blackface.
Winnie, however, was not offended. She went public to say she appreciated the women’s actions and posted a response to Instagram.
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