The New Yorker, Forrest, Flaunting Her Identity

Diandra Forrest has never been one to follow the crowd, her striking appearance, confident nature and style has caught the attention of thousands. Now the New Yorker has modelled for major clients including Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood whilst being an inspiration to others with albinism with her prideful outlook on life, flaunting her natural beauty. 

In a family of five born in Bronx, Forrest and her brother both grew up with albinism and ‘often felt out of place’. Being picked on in school by her peers for her complexion, she soon felt isolated and distressed, so her parents decided it was best to move Forrest to the New York Institute For Special Education. As time went by, the model was repeatedly stopped on the street by strangers to be complimented with flattering remarks. 

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When shopping on 34^th street, Forrest immediately caught the attention of Shameer Khan, a young photographer that scouted her to Elite Models NY after working on some test shots. Forrest was the first albino woman to be signed to a major modelling agency, which spurred her on to embracing her individuality, ‘I’m a black girl who lives in the skin of a white person and that alone should embody what a human being as a whole should represent.’

The thirty one year old launched into industry, opening a world of new opportunities in the modelling scene and now educates thousands on social media platforms about the mistreatment of the albino community and what should be done to repair misconceptions people have. As Forrest continues to strut down runways for elite brands and communicate her experiences, the model exclaims ‘I still hope for change: for children with albinism to know their beauty, and for their parents to instil that confidence in them.’

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The humanitarian, model and influencer icon is helping fight discrimination, ‘I’d like to be known as a model, and for all my other achievements, not for being albino.’