Current index status
#68 in the live index.
The rating reflects current verified work and prestige weighting. It is an editorial assessment, not a judgement of personal worth.
Index Rating · Medium confidence · evidence reviewed
79.8
- Runway · 40%
- 72
- Campaigns · 30%
- 82
- Editorial · 20%
- 84
- Cultural aura · 10%
- 96
01 / Why they matter
What Winnie is known for.
A model with vitiligo who broke through after a 2014 television appearance.
02 / Career record
Early life and advocacy
Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, known professionally as Winnie Harlow, was born on 27 July 1994 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to Lisa Brown and Windsor Young, of Jamaican descent. She was diagnosed with vitiligo at age four, and began posting educational content about the condition in 2011 with a video titled "Vitiligo: A Skin Condition, not a Life Changer," followed by a TEDx talk in November 2014.
03 / Career record
From reality television to the runway, 2014–2016
Harlow was spotted on Instagram by Tyra Banks and cast on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21 in 2014, the only Canadian ever to appear on the show, placing sixth. That September she closed Ashish’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection at London Fashion Week, and in 2015 fronted Diesel’s Spring/Summer campaign, shot by Nick Knight, alongside Cosmopolitan and Ebony covers. In 2016 she worked with Swarovski and Sprite, appeared in Beyoncé’s "Lemonade" visual album, and was named to the BBC’s 100 Women list.
04 / Career record
Television and business ventures, 2018–2022
In 2018, Harlow became the first model with vitiligo to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She judged Amazon’s Making the Cut in its second season (2019–2020) and appeared recurringly on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, before founding the skincare brand Cay Skin in March 2022. Her campaign record spans Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Swarovski and Victoria’s Secret.
05 / Career record
Recent record, 2023–2026
Harlow made her acting debut in 2023 with Alone at Night and The Perfect Find, followed by a voice role as Dr. Alcott in Monster High (2024) and the lead voice role of Noni in Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+ (2025). In 2026 she appeared as herself in a Milan Fashion Week cameo in The Devil Wears Prada 2. She is represented by CAA in Los Angeles, alongside Women Management in Milan and The Squad in London.
06 / At a glance
Quick facts.
- —Born Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, 27 July 1994, in Mississauga, Ontario, of Jamaican descent
- —Diagnosed with vitiligo at age four; began public advocacy in 2011 and gave a TEDx talk on the condition in November 2014
- —The only Canadian ever cast on America’s Next Top Model, placing 6th on Cycle 21 in 2014, after being spotted on Instagram by Tyra Banks
- —The first model with vitiligo to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, in 2018
- —Founded the skincare brand Cay Skin in March 2022
- —Named to the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2016
07 / Current index evidence
Why is Winnie Harlow ranked #68?
- Walked Vetements SS26 and opened Christian Siriano FW25.
- David Yurman Holiday 2024 campaign and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover and editorial in 2024.
- Current work qualifies within the rolling five-year window; older cultural milestones are time-decayed.
Confidence: Medium confidence · evidence reviewed. Scores may change when a source is corrected or new work enters the current window.
Facts on this page are drawn from public work records and industry press, and summarised in our own words. This is an independent editorial profile — it is not endorsed by the subject, their agencies, or the brands named. Last reviewed 2026-07-14. Corrections: desk@thecastindex.com.