These Albino Twins From Brazil Are Causing A Stir In The Fashion Industry!

Lara and Mara Bawar are helping to change people’s views on albinism.

Albinism is a rare inherited condition that causes a lack of pigmentation due to a lack of melanin in the skin and hair.

The condition affects around one in 17,000 people.

People with albinism are often ostracized – especially in third world countries – where they’re seen as possessing evil sprits. They are sometimes tortured and even killed.

The 11-year-old from São Paulo, Brazil have embraced their striking features and are slowly taking the fashion industry by storm. 

They were picked to model with Nike, Insanis and Bazaar Kids together with their 13-year-old sister Sheila, and the trio now have an Instagram of over 85,000.

Inspired by their unusual look, Swiss photographer Vinicius Terranova, 26, worked with the young models as part of his own project called Flores Raras (Rare Flowers).

Vinicius, who lives in Sau Paulo, said: ‘I came across the models in a video. They are incredibly beautiful and talented and that’s why I wanted to work with them.’

‘They are self-confident, intelligent and work very well.’

He added: ‘A beauty that is not that uncommon but rather rarely perceived while out there every day, ready to be noticed and given its deserved spotlight.’

‘A plea to the power of diversity, it represents the encounter of their sublime beauty.’

Meanwhile the twins dream of international acting and modeling careers.

Lara said: ‘We feel albinism is pretty, we love our hair, eye color and skin tone. Our hair and skin tone are pretty and we feel very special wearing the make-up, hair and light that are worked to fit us.’

‘We also love to read the beautiful comments on our pictures.’ 

While Mara added: ‘Growing up like this was amazing, we love being different and are happy with our unique beauty.’

Despite living in Brazil, the girls’ parents are originally from Guine Bissau in West Africa.

Older sister Sheila added: ‘I like studying, designing dresses, acting and modeling. When I grow up I want to be a stylist.’

‘We love it. We are very expressive and creative. It feels wonderful to put this out there, to communicate with people who identify with our work.’

‘We like to see our beauty being valued by its unique aspects.’