Published: March 26, 2026 Last Updated 6 months ago by Esther Ejoh
Winnie Harlow continues to engage her audience and challenge beauty standards with her latest Instagram photos.
The Canadian supermodel appears in a vibrant red and orange striped thong bikini, confidently highlighting her figure at her villa. Set against a backdrop of water and palm trees, these images reinforce her status as an influential figure in fashion.
Posted on Wednesday, the images show Winnie Harlow in her thong bikini posing on her villa balcony and by the swimming pool. She accessorised the two-piece, which features a balcony top and tie-side bottoms, with gold earrings and a matching chain necklace.
Her hair was styled in a high bun, complemented by a polished makeup look and a bright smile. In several shots, she held an orange scarf, adding color and movement to the scenes.
Photo: Instagram/winnieharlow Harlow’s confidence is well recognized by her followers. Known for embracing her natural beauty and unique skin, she has built a career by challenging industry norms. These vacation-style photos are consistent with her previous posts, such as last year’s beach photoshoot, where she wore a black two-piece and reapplied sunscreen.
Born Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young in Mississauga, Ontario, on July 27, 1994, Winnie Harlow was diagnosed with vitiligo at age four. The autoimmune condition causes pale patches on the skin due to a lack of melanin, which led to bullying during her childhood. Harlow used her experience to create a platform for representation.
Photo: Instagram/winnieharlow She first gained attention as a contestant on cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model in 2014. Harlow became the first model with vitiligo to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2018, marking a step forward for diversity in high fashion. She has appeared on runways, magazine covers, and in campaigns for major brands, as well as in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade and as a judge on Making the Cut.
Harlow has often reflected on her journey. In a 2023 interview with Elle Canada, she shared: “I was never supposed to be a model because of my skin… I’ve actually fought against that but I’m like oh… you must think my skin is beautiful now, which nobody thought before. So, you know, it’s a double-edged sword, but there’s beauty in it.” She aims to keep opportunities open for others, emphasising that representation should go beyond tokenism: “Everyone is able to.”
Photo: Instagram/winnieharlow Beyond modelling, Harlow is an entrepreneur. In 2022, she launched Cay Skin, a sun care and skincare line inspired by a sunburn she experienced during a photo shoot. The photographer discouraged her from reapplying sunscreen to avoid a visible tint, which resulted in burns that required medical attention.
In a 2022 interview with Allure, Harlow described the pain and inflammation: “By the second day [of the shoot] I was so burned, doctors had to come… I didn’t realize how passionate I was about [sun care] until I had that experience.” This incident motivated her to address misconceptions, especially the belief that people with darker skin tones do not need sunscreen. “No one’s melanin is enough to protect them from the sun’s rays,” she stated. “Sun care is skin care, and Cay Skin is for everyone under the sun.”
Her brand promotes inclusive, effective protection and encourages everyone to prioritise skin health, which is especially important for those with vitiligo or varying skin tones.
Photo: Instagram/winnieharlow Winnie Harlow’s recent thong bikini photos are more than vacation content; they reflect her ongoing message of self-love and body positivity. In an industry with historically narrow beauty ideals, she consistently celebrates her figure, her vitiligo, and her Jamaican-Canadian heritage. Fans commend her for normalising diverse bodies and promoting authentic confidence.
Whether poolside in a bright striped bikini or on a beach, Harlow’s posts often prompt discussions about representation, sun safety, and individuality. Her combination of high-fashion style with relatable moments contributes to her ongoing relevance.
As she continues to model, build her business, and advocate, Winnie Harlow demonstrates that beauty can transcend traditional standards. It is defined by resilience, creativity, and the courage to stand out.
The photos have generated significant attention on social media, with many expressing support for her confidence and style. For those following her journey, it is a reminder of her progress from being told she could not model to becoming an influential figure who inspires others with vitiligo and beyond.
Photo: Instagram/winnieharlow
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September 3, 2026Esther Ejoh is a Fashion Editor at Fashion Police Nigeria, where she writes all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity style, with a sharp eye and an even sharper pen. She’s the girl who’ll break down a Met Gala look one minute, rave about a Nigerian beauty brand the next, and still find time to binge a movie or get lost in a novel. Style, storytelling, and self-care? That’s her holy trinity.
