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Meet Melanie Gaydos, 28-Year-Old Model With A Rare Genetic Disorder Who Broke All Fashion Stereotypes
Melanie Gaydos is challenging the fashion industry and highlighting the importance of diversity in it. She was born with ectodermal dysplasia — an umbrella term for a series of rare genetic disorders that affects the development of skin, hair, and nails. Despite being bullied for her appearance when younger, this didn’t stop her from becoming a famous model and landing a variety of different gigs.
Appearing in a Rammstein music video helped Melanie to garner wider attention and the offers kept coming in after that. Her unique appearance lends itself perfectly to more avant-garde clothing and high fashion styles. However, she's refused to be boxed in as an alternative model and she's also walked in multiple New York Fashion Week shows.
This collection of creative photography captures Melanie in stirring fantasy scenes and different editorial shots. Some may find her look disturbing — a stigma that Melanie has faced her entire life. However, others will appreciate her unconventional beauty and recognize her incredible work as both a fashion model and an inspiring role model.
More info: Facebook | Instagram
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#1
John Miller 8 years ago
Did she shoot these pictures? No photo credit and there should be. amazing lighting and composition.
Tawnya Marquette 8 years ago
and the best part is because of her beauty and talent and model thin body (without intentionally starving herself by eating 3 calories a day)a deluge of offers from top modeling agencies who model for top clothing desingners has come her way...right? am I right? I CHALLENGE EVEN ONE TO OFFER HER A JOB....one that offers what I mentioned, one that gives dignity in her passion for modeling, not one in which she wears bizarre clothing or items regardless of whether she chose to. I am going with she chose to because the others never came knocking. Perhaps one of them will not focus on their almighty bottom line , grow a pair and recognize absolute true beauty in this woman.She has more beauty in one hand than a dozen of todays models have in their entire bodies all put together ♡.
Essay Whiz 2 years ago
Why feature any woman caged and bound? I’m sick of seeing these types of scenes being normalized, and get away with this violence in the name of “ART.” What a joke!! But yes I love how this unique female is not scared to show other girls that they should take pride in being themselves and that it good enough in today’s world.
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#2
Nancy Shepard 8 years ago
I share this birth challenge in a less severe form in which I have a beautiful set of teeth and a signature smile. But it wasn't until I turned 50 that I felt society was ready to accept me and I stopped wearing a hairpiece. but it wasn't until I turned 50 that I felt society was ready to except me and I stopped wearing a hairpiece Go Melanie!!
Sammi De La Cruz 8 years ago
I cheer for her I am a fan! She has a great heart and Soul and I am glad she is doing what she wants despite the naysayers.
#3
Sherri Gage 8 years ago
Good for her. We're too stuck on.physical beauty. She's showing that there are many types of beauty, beyond the stereotypes.
Birma Gustafsson 8 years ago
I find her enormously beautiful! She has a striking face, personal, strong, free. She is beautiful on her own terms. She doesn't need someone else to tell her how beautiful she is.
Alice Spingflower 8 years ago
That, this, is absolutely the most beautiful woman I've seen since forever❄️
#4
Pretty Little Liars 8 years ago
She looks like she could be a character in a video game. That picture looks so magical!
Cinzia Peirano 8 years ago
Che scatto straordinaro! Lei è una splendida creatura forte e fragile che sembra uscire da una nuvola. Bellissima ! Grazie!
#5
Kathy Jones 8 years ago
I can so easily see her confident, unique style transferred to the big screen or in dramas like Game of thrones!
#6
D B 8 years ago
If she has no cartilage and bones, explain to me how she is able to stand up on her legs without collapsing and falling. She must be able to generate and create some form of muscle and bone or it would be a wheelchair for life.
Jeanne Richard 8 years ago
"It prevents them from developing" is a slight mistatement. They are severely underdeveloped and some of what was listed, such as teeth and as you can see the cartilage in her nose is very likely fully absent, probably much less in her ears than there should be as well. It was a blanket statement of things that vary, but are still severely underdeveloped.
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Alan Mason 8 years ago
'Yes, and her legs went on for ever. Like staring up at infinity Through a wisp of cotton panty Along a skin of satin sea.' ~ Jethro Tull, 'Budapest.
Leticia Cabral Clough 8 years ago
I never post comments but this time I had to! She has the height/body of a model and her face is very enigmatic. The pictures are amazing!
#7
Kate Cousino 8 years ago
I like this one. Some of the others frankly seem to exploit her condition to get an "alien" effect. This is just human and beautiful.
#8
Satellite Skin 8 years ago
This! I scrolled past this pic so damn fast. Lol
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Gina Sobrero 8 years ago
The creativity of the photographer and stylists on all definitely need recognition too!
Mila Perez 8 years ago
while visiting NYC - I couldn't help but be captivated by this poster thru out the city......
Camille Renaud 8 years ago
j'adore cette image elle est en plein gore et de beauté à la fois elle surpprennd mais elle est belle
#9
Sarah Coble 8 years ago
She is mesmerizing. And beautiful. But and yes--a very memorable and unique look, which is a positive trend in fashion photography. But I can tell you why she was able to win a spot in the fashion industry. She's thin. Boom.
#10
Randi Crews 8 years ago
i guess that's one perk of having underdeveloped pores
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Ursula Dyck 8 years ago
I find her very striking in an unusual way...she'd go well in an alien movie too. Good for her.
David Ross 8 years ago
I do not get it. She is lovely. We all can too if one tries. I call her a work of art.
Michael Eide 8 years ago
I think when she is not trying to look pissed of or angry as hell.....She is HOT
Karen J. White 8 years ago
All 10 of these photos are so-o-o esthetically beautiful and awe inspiring I makes you feel
#11
Amoina Katsky 8 years ago
Best one so far! Not only the picture, but also she, is a work of art here.
Linda Brown 8 years ago
Now she looks like she is transforming into a borg, from Star Trek fame
Orenda Anyone 8 years ago
She is beautiful ,she has bones stronger than mine. Dont know why her face is more affected by her illness.
#12
Samantha Newhouse 2 years ago
What is this wonderful message this is Sopose to be sending again?? Anorexia??
#14
Sheila Stamey 8 years ago
This young lady is a goddess. Absolutely wonderful. They say you can tell art, not by the way it make you feel, but that it does make you feel. I am awestruck by this entire series.
Anodyne WindWalker 2 years ago
I really like this one. I admit that I'm old fashion and lean more towards modesty. I also love nature. But most importantly she carries an aura of self confidence about her. It can be noticed on her face. I saw her on the cast of "Vesper" so I googled her and found these pics. I have been reading up on her. I hope to see her in more acting roles, I really do! 💜🎭🎥🎦
Linda Brown 8 years ago
She is indeed a goddess, I also love the butterflies. The whole picture is simply breathtaking
#15
Magdalena Bertola 8 years ago
This reminds me so much of anna varney cantodea. Truly inspiring, beautifully taken picture.
#16
Anodyne WindWalker 2 years ago
This one is also very tasteful and beautiful. I love it. I don't understand why the more modest pics have lower scores. She is beautiful in all of her pics but her beauty shines even more when combined with modesty. Yes I am old and old enough to be her mother. LOL. I hope to see her in more movies! Seriously, she has the ability to play a wide range of roles, but what might be one of the best would be a regular weakly show. Show the viewing audience that people born with conditions may have certain physical issues or certain "abnormalities" but that is absolutely no reason to not act, modle, sing and be well known. I am glad that we are starting to get past that closed minded mindset where only people with certain looks can model and make it big. That closed mindedness has turned away countless potential great models and actors/actresses. Keep on being you young lady! I hope to see you in more movies. 🌻💜🙂
#17
Heather Leahwood 8 years ago
She could equally well be a badass superhero!
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#18
#19
#20
DancingToMyself 8 years ago
I hope you're asking because of curiosity, not to be mean or disrespectful?
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#22
#23
Wendy Hearn 6 years ago
WOW good on her I take my hat off to her!!! I would have these statement pictures on my walls at home theyre beautiful...
Jenna Hammac 8 years ago
Her unconventional beauty allows for entirely fresh takes on "traditional" female style. Very unique, she's a living work of art.
#24
#25
#26
Naima Ivansdóttir 8 years ago
it's true! she's got some renaissance-flavoured look...
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Catherine English 3 years ago
Amazingly captivating with such graceful yet powerfully mesmerising uniqueness, her confidence, fierceness & strength shows in everyone of these picture! Absolutely Brilliantly Breathtaking!!!!!
Karen J. White 8 years ago
I didn't realize there were 3 pages of this magnificence. The beauty just is!
Jessica Dismont 8 years ago
Hehe "eau" means water. You mean Au naturel ;)
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What do you think ?
Ildiko S. 8 years ago
Amazing pictures! I love their world, the style, everything. But tbh, it seems that it ain't much about breaking stereotypes. Fashion photography nowadays is kind of a "freak show" - not in a way, that I think they are freaks, but that they hunt down people who look very different and display them. The stranger the better - then they say "oh, everyone is beautiful", which sells very well. On one hand, I am happy for the message, on the other hand... Are these people really respected in this context? I dunno, it all leaves me confues:D My moral compass is spinning.
Daria B 8 years ago
I have the same thoughts ad you. But my conclusion usually ends with the typical "oh, well, if they're truly happy with this, good for them".
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Kobitka-artworks Tumblr 8 years ago
maybe 'Broke All Fashion Stereotypes' but she's still skinny as an anorecter :<
Vanessa Parkin 8 years ago
If you think that France has just banned models that are too thin which this lady obviously is, the clothes are not going to fit normal people who tend to be larger than the model, and I agree she is being used as a shock tactic to attract attention. What is wrong with admitting to yourself that you are just not built to be a model, or play a certain sport, or do a certain activity it seems that everything is about having to accept people taking part in activities that they really are not good at, not able to do properly or making more abled bodied people drag them or push them throughout these activities. I can accept there are things I can't do why then can't anybody else!
Load More Replies...
Chris Maynard 8 years ago
This article really mischaracterises what ED is. It does NOT, in fact, prevent teeth, nails, pores, cartilage, and bones from developing (look at the photos... clearly this model has bones... duh). It is a group of syndromes involving varying degrees of abnormality to the ectodermal structures. The disorder most commonly involves abnormal growth of hair, teeth, nails, sweat glands, salivary glands, cranial-facial structure, and fingers & toes. Actor Michael Berryman also suffers from the disorder.
Audrey 8 years ago
What i want to say is that i don't feel the beauty . I look at them several Times but always same feeling. Sorry all
Load More Replies...
Josie Ekstrand 8 years ago
fashion industry has become a race to see which designer can find something or someone to outdo the others, since their designs cannot speak for themselves, the crazier, the weirdest, and the bizarre is what sells clothes these days , pathetic,
Alexandra Furnea 8 years ago
You know, if you had no idea she suffers from this disorder, and you just saw the pictures without any description, you'd call them fantasy and like them. And even if you didn't, you'd just see them as art. There's something within humans that makes them act weird around people marked as "diseased" or flawed. This is a shallow reaction which we should really get over if we claim to be evolved creatures. This woman is fascinating! She looks like she's from another planet, in a very cool kind of way. That's why Star Trek was so awesome. Because the characters coexisted and collaborated even, accepting their differences for what they were - traits that made them unique. We should learn from this and stop putting labels on people. As for normality, grow up and get over it. It doesn't exist. We're all "flawed" somewhere, and that's what makes us human, lovable and unique.
Rafaella Bueno 8 years ago
From my experience, it's the opposite. People are being nice because they know it's a "disease". If you said nothing, they'd go on about how "ugly" she is. But because there's a disease behind her "ugliness", it "counts as a disability" an it's the supposed to be praised and celebrated for the sake of inclusion for people to feel good about how nice they are. A dislexic person should be treated kindly and with patience, someone without a diagnose that has the same difficulty is just "dumb". Someone with a condition or disease deserves encouragement, an ugly person is just ugly and ridiculous. That's how I see people acting everywhere.
Load More Replies...
Beckey Neal 8 years ago
Suddenly we have people with disorders, genetic abnormalities, down syndrome, becoming "models". Is this to get attention or what? I am happy for them, but it is a bit puzzling to me. This particular model is obviously very different looking but I don't get it.
Aissatou Sunjata 8 years ago
So, let's see! Where do you think these people are coming out of the woodwork from? Maybe, they are eating healthy food? Perhaps their parents were eating Kale, fresh fish, gluten-free food. Hopefully, you will never have to get it, deal with it or have a child who has any disorder for which someone describes you as someone who is getting attention. Someone who finds it puzzling. someone who is obviously very different looking, but they don't get it. Wonder what all those bugged eyed, buck-toothed, stringy haired, gapped toothed, glasses wearing, thin as a rail, bow-legged girls on the playground are thinking and perhaps they should simply end it all so they don't confuse anyone when they grow up and end up still be afflicted as previously described.
Load More Replies... Lazybones McCoy 8 years ago
I think she's smart woman who has built a career for herself, turning what many would consider a barrier to her advantage. I first saw her in the Rammstein video 'Mein Herz Brent' (she looked younger, but definitely recognisable) and in the making of the band were clearly impressed by her. No surprise at all she's having success.
Ildiko S. 8 years ago
Amazing pictures! I love their world, the style, everything. But tbh, it seems that it ain't much about breaking stereotypes. Fashion photography nowadays is kind of a "freak show" - not in a way, that I think they are freaks, but that they hunt down people who look very different and display them. The stranger the better - then they say "oh, everyone is beautiful", which sells very well. On one hand, I am happy for the message, on the other hand... Are these people really respected in this context? I dunno, it all leaves me confues:D My moral compass is spinning.
Daria B 8 years ago
I have the same thoughts ad you. But my conclusion usually ends with the typical "oh, well, if they're truly happy with this, good for them".
Load More Replies... Kobitka-artworks Tumblr 8 years ago
maybe 'Broke All Fashion Stereotypes' but she's still skinny as an anorecter :<
Vanessa Parkin 8 years ago
If you think that France has just banned models that are too thin which this lady obviously is, the clothes are not going to fit normal people who tend to be larger than the model, and I agree she is being used as a shock tactic to attract attention. What is wrong with admitting to yourself that you are just not built to be a model, or play a certain sport, or do a certain activity it seems that everything is about having to accept people taking part in activities that they really are not good at, not able to do properly or making more abled bodied people drag them or push them throughout these activities. I can accept there are things I can't do why then can't anybody else!
Load More Replies... Chris Maynard 8 years ago
This article really mischaracterises what ED is. It does NOT, in fact, prevent teeth, nails, pores, cartilage, and bones from developing (look at the photos... clearly this model has bones... duh). It is a group of syndromes involving varying degrees of abnormality to the ectodermal structures. The disorder most commonly involves abnormal growth of hair, teeth, nails, sweat glands, salivary glands, cranial-facial structure, and fingers & toes. Actor Michael Berryman also suffers from the disorder.
Audrey 8 years ago
What i want to say is that i don't feel the beauty . I look at them several Times but always same feeling. Sorry all
Load More Replies... Josie Ekstrand 8 years ago
fashion industry has become a race to see which designer can find something or someone to outdo the others, since their designs cannot speak for themselves, the crazier, the weirdest, and the bizarre is what sells clothes these days , pathetic,
Alexandra Furnea 8 years ago
You know, if you had no idea she suffers from this disorder, and you just saw the pictures without any description, you'd call them fantasy and like them. And even if you didn't, you'd just see them as art. There's something within humans that makes them act weird around people marked as "diseased" or flawed. This is a shallow reaction which we should really get over if we claim to be evolved creatures. This woman is fascinating! She looks like she's from another planet, in a very cool kind of way. That's why Star Trek was so awesome. Because the characters coexisted and collaborated even, accepting their differences for what they were - traits that made them unique. We should learn from this and stop putting labels on people. As for normality, grow up and get over it. It doesn't exist. We're all "flawed" somewhere, and that's what makes us human, lovable and unique.
Rafaella Bueno 8 years ago
From my experience, it's the opposite. People are being nice because they know it's a "disease". If you said nothing, they'd go on about how "ugly" she is. But because there's a disease behind her "ugliness", it "counts as a disability" an it's the supposed to be praised and celebrated for the sake of inclusion for people to feel good about how nice they are. A dislexic person should be treated kindly and with patience, someone without a diagnose that has the same difficulty is just "dumb". Someone with a condition or disease deserves encouragement, an ugly person is just ugly and ridiculous. That's how I see people acting everywhere.
Load More Replies... Beckey Neal 8 years ago
Suddenly we have people with disorders, genetic abnormalities, down syndrome, becoming "models". Is this to get attention or what? I am happy for them, but it is a bit puzzling to me. This particular model is obviously very different looking but I don't get it.
Aissatou Sunjata 8 years ago
So, let's see! Where do you think these people are coming out of the woodwork from? Maybe, they are eating healthy food? Perhaps their parents were eating Kale, fresh fish, gluten-free food. Hopefully, you will never have to get it, deal with it or have a child who has any disorder for which someone describes you as someone who is getting attention. Someone who finds it puzzling. someone who is obviously very different looking, but they don't get it. Wonder what all those bugged eyed, buck-toothed, stringy haired, gapped toothed, glasses wearing, thin as a rail, bow-legged girls on the playground are thinking and perhaps they should simply end it all so they don't confuse anyone when they grow up and end up still be afflicted as previously described.
Load More Replies... Lazybones McCoy 8 years ago
I think she's smart woman who has built a career for herself, turning what many would consider a barrier to her advantage. I first saw her in the Rammstein video 'Mein Herz Brent' (she looked younger, but definitely recognisable) and in the making of the band were clearly impressed by her. No surprise at all she's having success.
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