Parents play a significant role in shaping a child’s life, providing them with love, protection, and a foundation for growth. Unfortunately, not all children have the privilege of experiencing a nurturing family environment. Xueli Abbing, a 16-year-old girl from China, was one such child who was abandoned by her parents at birth because of her unique appearance.
Born with albinism, a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, Xueli’s skin, hair, and eyes lack color. This difference in her appearance led her parents to leave her at an orphanage, citing her as “weird.” However, fate had other plans for Xueli. Adopted by a loving Dutch family, she found the home she deserved and the support she needed to flourish.
Despite the challenges and stigma associated with albinism, Xueli embarked on a remarkable journey to prove the world wrong. At the young age of 11, she was approached by a fashion designer in Hong Kong who recognized her unique beauty. He invited her to be part of a campaign titled “Perfect Imperfections,” aiming to celebrate diverse forms of beauty. This opportunity marked the beginning of an incredible adventure for Xueli.
In an interview with the BBC, Xueli expressed her excitement about this life-changing experience. “She called the campaign ‘perfect imperfections’ and asked if I wanted to join her fashion show in Hong Kong,” Xueli shared. “That was an amazing experience.”
Models with albinism often face prejudices and stereotypes, being portrayed as angels or ghosts. Xueli finds such representations disheartening. Nevertheless, as luck would have it, she caught the attention of a London-based photographer who treated her with the respect and dignity of a professional model. Their collaboration resulted in a breathtaking photoshoot featured in the June 2019 issue of Vogue Italia.
Recalling her journey, Xueli admitted that at first, she didn’t fully grasp the significance of being featured in such a prestigious magazine. However, she recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the media. “There are still models who are like eight foot two and skinny, but now people with disabilities or differences are featured more in the media, and this is great—but it should be normal,” she emphasized during the interview.
Living with albinism has given Xueli a unique perspective on beauty. Struggling with impaired vision, she relies on people’s voices and their inner qualities to form her opinion of them. For Xueli, true beauty lies within a person’s character and spirit.
Driven by a desire to challenge societal perceptions, Xueli aims to use her modeling platform to raise awareness about albinism. She wants to dispel the notion that it is a curse and instead celebrate it as a genetic disorder. Reflecting on her mission, Xueli shared, “I want to use modeling to talk about albinism and say it’s not a curse. The way to talk about it is to say ‘a person with albinism’ because being ‘an albino’ sounds as if it defines who you are.”
With unwavering determination, Xueli Abbing strives to make a difference and change the world’s perception of individuals with albinism. She refuses to accept a world where children are targeted and harmed because of their condition. Let us rally behind Xueli and support her inspiring journey as she works to create a more inclusive and accepting society.
