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.
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.
“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.
"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!!!
