How Winnie Harlow Built a $5 Million Fortune in Fashion and Business

Winnie Harlow is a fashion model with a net worth of $5 million. She gained widespread recognition in 2014 as a contestant on the 21st cycle of America’s Next Top Model.

Since then, she has built a successful modelling career, appearing in numerous magazines, commercials, advertising campaigns, and major fashion events. One of Harlow’s most distinctive features is her vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation in patches.

She has become a vocal advocate for vitiligo awareness and representation in the fashion industry.

Beyond modelling, Harlow has also made appearances in music videos, including Eminem and Sia’s Guts Over Fear, JMSN’s The One, and Beyoncé’s Lemonade.

Early Life

Born Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young on July 27, 1994, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Winnie Harlow is of Jamaican descent and was raised by her parents, Lisa and Windsor, alongside her two sisters.

She was diagnosed with vitiligo at the age of four, which led to years of bullying and discrimination. As a result, she frequently changed schools and eventually dropped out of high school.

However, she persevered and turned her unique appearance into a defining feature of her modelling career, using her platform to inspire others and advocate for self-acceptance.

Making History on America’s Next Top Model

Winnie Harlow first gained public attention in 2014 when she competed in the 21st cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Discovered on Instagram by host Tyra Banks, she became the only Canadian ever cast on the show.

Though eliminated in the second week of the finals, she won a separate comeback competition, securing a return to the main contest before ultimately placing sixth overall.

Following America’s Next Top Model, Harlow quickly established herself in the fashion industry. She became the official brand representative for Spanish fashion label Desigual and walked the runway for Ashish at London Fashion Week.

In 2015, she modeled for Diesel and appeared in major magazines like Complex, Cosmopolitan, Ebony, and the Spanish and Italian editions of Glamour. Her high-profile campaigns have included collaborations with Fendi, Swarovski, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Puma, and Victoria’s Secret.

Notably, in 2018, she became the first model with vitiligo to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Advocating for Vitiligo Awareness

Long before she entered the modeling world, Harlow was an outspoken advocate for vitiligo awareness. In 2011, she uploaded a YouTube video titled Vitiligo: A Skin Condition, Not a Life Changer, where she answered questions and shared her experiences.

In 2014, she delivered a TEDx talk about living with the condition, using her platform to challenge beauty standards and promote self-acceptance.

Harlow’s fame has extended beyond modeling. She has appeared in several music videos, including Eminem and Sia’s Guts Over Fear, JMSN’s The One, and Beyoncé’s Lemonade visual album.

She later featured in Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s Promises and Wizkid’s True Love. On television, she has made guest appearances on What Would You Do?, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Legendary, where she served as a guest judge.

Launching a Skincare Empire

In early 2022, Harlow launched her own skincare and sun care brand, Cay Skin. The idea stemmed from a modeling photoshoot where she suffered severe sunburn after being asked not to reapply sunscreen to avoid white residue.

Determined to create sun protection products that work on all skin tones, she developed Cay Skin to provide effective, residue-free sun care solutions.

Beyond fashion and business, Harlow has also invested in real estate. In December 2020, she purchased a home in Tarzana, California, for $3.298 million. In March 2024, she listed the property for sale at $3.695 million, showcasing her growing presence in the luxury real estate market.

From breaking barriers in the fashion industry to advocating for vitiligo awareness and launching her own business, Winnie Harlow continues to redefine beauty standards while expanding her influence in multiple industries.