If you've ever felt like you weren't beautiful because of your skin, trust me boo, you're not alone. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I really have to side-eye brands that are always trying to push ~perfect skin~ onto us. Like, girl, back up. I want to see ALL skin types and conditions being celebrated.
Peter DeVito, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, did a photo series to normalize common skin conditions like albinism, vitiligo, and alopecia, and we're literally like, "YAAAAS, Peter!"
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"I was inspired by the body positivity movement," he told BuzzFeed's As/Is. "I love seeing posts about people accepting themselves for how they look, so I wanted to contribute to that in some way. I've been dealing with acne since I was in middle school and it used to make me very self-conscious."
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When it came to casting models for the series, DeVito utilized his resources, starting with social media. "I found my models through Instagram mainly, but I also reached out to modeling agencies and took suggestions from my friends," he said.
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"I always let the models choose what words we were putting on their faces. I told them they could either use a phrase that someone has actually said to them, or make a phrase based around a stigma that has been placed on them because of their skin."
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For Diandra Forrest and Keenan Javon, two models with albinism, their posts called out the things people have said in response to their condition.
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Diandra wrote, "Back in the day, the common joke was 'You're so white you look like a ghost.' I acquired unwanted nicknames like Casper and Snow White. This really bothered me because I knew that regardless of my skin, I am black. Albinism is a condition that affects the exterior. I am fierce, funny, compassionate, and nurturing. These are some qualities that matter most."
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Bice, who has alopecia, decided to answer everyone who's ever questioned his baldness. "The reason I’m bald has nothing to do with who I am as a person,” he wrote on the post.
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“Why am I bald, you ask? Let me ask you this. Who raised you to have zero manners? I have a genetic disorder. That’s really none of your f***ing business though.”
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Amy Deanna opened up about people's comments, like "no one will marry you with that skin," regarding her vitiligo.
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"If I never get married because of my vitiligo, I'd be okay with that. Having vitiligo has taught me so much about myself and what 'beauty' actually is. I love myself despite vitiligo and if you can't, then you do't deserve me. I will never apologize for being me."
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On DeVito's Instagram, he also chronicled other skin traits and types, like freckles and acne-prone skin, as well as larger cultural discussions around gender norms and colorism.
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"I hope that this project will help empower people," DeVito told As/Is. "I want it to show people that we need more models with all different complexions and skin types in order to accurately portray the world we live in."
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We can't wait to see more from Peter and other artists who are committed to showing us that ALL skin is beautiful!!!
