Applied Illustration - Skin condition research

I stumbled across some relevant secondary research on people with visible skin conditions.

The first was Alba Parejo, a 16 year old girl who was born with a condition meaning she has over 500 birthmarks over her body. The main points I found were:

- She was bullied for a lot of her childhood

- Attempts at removal left her with severe scarring

- Decided to enter a beauty contest and now works as a model

- Is an advocate for body empowerment and positive body images, especially with people with skin conditions

- Believes everyone should embrace their skin and feel proud of their appearance

I also discovered that there is a documentary about skin camouflage presented by Katie Piper on TV next Tuesday, which I will make sure I watch and record the key points to help with development of my work.

Finally, I started looking at individuals who have vitiligo and advocate its beauty, whilst still appreciating the value of skin camouflage to some people.

Khloe Dosh wrote a beautiful poem supporting the use of cover up creams and make up if that's what people wish, as it is their CHOICE and highlights their freedom and beauty

Carlene Aj is a model who has vitiligo, as well as an inspirational positive body message to other people suffering from the skin condition.
- Carlene supports both the natural look of vitiligo as well as the use of cover up creams, as she uses a mix of the two.
- What really struck me about Carlene is that in most of her images, she doesn't make a big deal about wearing or not wearing cover up creams, and simply talks about her life normally, as she should.
- I realised that she regarded her cover up cream just for what is was, a type of make up, and talks about using it just as much as she would for changing her make up.

Finally, I of course had to do some research into Chantelle Brown-Young aka. Winnie Harlow, probably the most prominent vitiligo sufferer in the world, save Michel Jackson.

- Only 22

- Contestant on America's Next Top Model

- Is an activist for body empowerment

- Is open and positive about her vitiligo

- Also supports the use of cover up creams, she wants the person suffering from vitiligo to feel happy

Ted x talk from Winnie covering her life with the condition and how it can affect people

Key points:

- Was bullied and then became the bully to try and fit in to the norm

- Realised beauty is not about what is expected and what is seen as normal

- Found own place to feel beautiful and brave with appearance

- Make your own mold for what beauty is

Young Winnie talking about her condition and the challenges she faces:

Key points:

- People are ignorant of the condition

- People will judge and often be scared of the condition, she wants people to know the truth

- It's ok to ask and learn about skin conditions

- It's not all that makes her, it's just a part of her

Below is a video from Winnie's Instagram, made by Carlene and Khloe to highlight the stigma around using cover up cream instead of embracing the natural beauty of vitiligo

Key points:
- It's ok to use cover up creams if that's your personal choice
- Don't feel like one choice is right and one is wrong
- Do what makes you happy in your appearence
- Cover up creams are just like make up - no big deal!

Contrary to popular belief, I don't just stand for being confident. I also stand for doing what makes you happy. 🙏🏽 Thank you @khloedosh for taking the time to so eloquently put a poem together that not only fits the effortlessly beautiful woman in this video @carlene_aj , but I'm sure fits Everyone enjoying this now ❤❤❤ I get so many people reaching out saying "people covering their pimples, vitiligo freckles etc. they need to be more confident like you". But why shame someone for what makes them happy? But IT'S NOT just about "Vitiligo"!!!!!!!!!! We live in a time of social media, where everyone with a keyboard thinks they have the right to a negative opinion or to judge each other when really the best use of our platforms are empathy, understanding & support. We all have insecurities, and we are different and yet so much alike. Sometimes people write things that can make you think "Am I a bad person then?", "Am I ugly?", "Am I a bitch?" (Bitch I might be🤣). Lol but in all seriousness, WE are all human. I don't want to look like anyone other than myself, and neither should you. The key is moving forward in positivity. Negative words are a bag of bricks you're carrying on your way to your personal success or goals. Those bricks will always be there, so you can choose to let them weigh you down, or use them to build your foundation. And remember why you do the things that people send you negativity for. If it's because the things you do and say bring positivity into your life let that positivity outweigh the negativity that will undoubtedly come. If what people bring negativity to you for was a mistake on your behalf, apologize genuinely and move forward in positivity. Don't allow Anyone to chain you to negativity. You know yourself and God knows your heart. That's all that matters! 💝💋💝💋💝💝💋💝

A post shared by ♔Winnie Harlow♔ (@winnieharlow) on Mar 26, 2017 at 6:21am PDT

MY THOUGHTS
- This research actually made me fairly emotional, as it validated the feelings I had of having this condition, and made me realise that there are many beautiful women out there with this condition
- On a personal level, I realised how this condition can be an empowering, beautiful gift
- People need to realise, understand and accept the condition
- Beauty is decided by the individual, and expectations are not to be listened to

WHAT NEXT? 
- After thinking about the poem, I really want to make my range feel like a luxury make up range, which is being chosen to be used by the sufferer
- Really celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of the conditions
- Develop an accessible and recognisable range
- I also really want to push the promotional side of the range and include ways to promote the truth behind skin conditions