In an effort to unravel the mystery surrounding people with albinism and inspired by images of albino model, Shaun Ross, a New York based photographer, Angelina d' Auguste began studying the condition that interferes with DNA, sometimes leaving a person colourless-a lack of melanin production as well as hair and eye colour.
Angelina d’Auguste’s initial curiosity grew into a senior thesis project at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Trying to “captivate people by showing the unseen,” she gave her models the opportunity to speak simply and frankly about the challenges and hurdles they have to face everyday.
The series of photos shows the ways in which albinos handle their inborn “difference,” which can sometimes lead to physical abuse or even be a danger to their life. Most of the models remember being teased or bullied in school because of their striking looks.
"Having albinism…broke me out of my shell, because I am very shy," said a model. “It is a big part of who i am, and i wouldn't trade that for the world" Being an albino usually goes hand in hand with having impaired vision. Many of them can neither read without a magnifying glass nor drive a car. Most albinos also have something called nystagmus, a condition characterized by eyes shaking back and forth, unable to concentrate on one point. The models admit that being an albino does bring challenges in their lives, but as one of them said "being different in society becomes a cool thing when you grow up" The photographer’s project focuses on albinos living in the US. "Unfortunately, it is difficult for [people with albinism] to fit in society, so I wanted to show their distinct, beautiful features in a positive way,” d’Auguste told Refinery29.
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