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33-Year-Old Born With Extremely Rare Facial Defect Is Breaking Beauty Standards With Her Modeling Career
"Remind the world that everyone is beautiful." These are the words of Ilka Brühl - a 33-year-old woman from Germany, who took it upon herself to spread positivity and empowerment by telling her own story.
Since the day she was born, Ilka has lived a troublesome life. "I was born with a facial cleft and my nose airways were not properly formed," she told Project Grenzenlos. "In addition, I lacked on the right side of the tear duct, so that the permanent natural moistening of the eye has led to me right tears have always run out of the eye."
Now, after countless operations, Ilka is a strong, confident woman, sharing her story and experiences, with hope to encourage people to love themselves. Two years ago, she has begun posing for some of her photographer friends. "There was so much positive feedback, that I got more and more courage to show myself as I am. Pure and unaffected," she told.
Ilka shares her images, motivating people to come out of their shells and to show their true beauty. "There is only one way to be ugly: by having an ugly character. No one has to hide because of their appearance!"
More info: ilka-bruehl.de | Facebook (h/t Project Grenzenlos)
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Manoiu Valentina-Mariana 8 years ago
She reminds me the beautiful Neytiri and Na'vi people <3! She's beautiful <3!
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Merilyn Horton 8 years ago
I think her appearance allows a photographer to show greater depth of emotions.
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Crista Downey 8 years ago
I love this one, the black and white shows all of her. Just gorgeous.
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Valerie Ward 7 years ago
Why are her eyes blackened underneath? Is this strange bruised "look" part of her defect, perhaps? I know she is using her defect to make her stand out..but the fact is that she is very beautiful, anyway..If she were overweight and short the companies would not pay any attention. This is STILL about the body.
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Scarlet Black 8 years ago
I don't think I've seen anyone so beautiful. She's just wow. Breathtaking really.
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What do you think ?
Kyle Hart 8 years ago
There is something ethereal about her. Also my brain screams Elf, but that's just my nerd showing threw.
Moglin Sin 8 years ago
I was thinking the same thing. She also has fairy like features! ^.^
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Marius Jan 8 years ago
You think she's breaking beauty standarts? I think they're exploiting hers unconventional appearance to sell fashion. People with various conditions used to end up in a circus for people to watch and speak about. Now they're ending up on catwalks for people to watch and speak about.
sunnyrei82 8 years ago
It's not like they're forcing her to do it. It's a career she chose. And she's getting paid to do what she likes! So... no.. I don't feel sorry for her. I'm glad she took advantage of her "difference". She knows she's not considered "normal" by society and beauty standards, she knows fashion is a cruel, shallow industry. But she decided to go for it. And she's doing what she wants and likes. So... kudos for her! I don't think anybody is "exploiting" her. Win-win for everybody.
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Vivek Mhatre 8 years ago
And once again we see, why forgetting a punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. In this case, its the question mark.
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Kyle Hart 8 years ago
There is something ethereal about her. Also my brain screams Elf, but that's just my nerd showing threw.
Moglin Sin 8 years ago
I was thinking the same thing. She also has fairy like features! ^.^
Load More Replies... Marius Jan 8 years ago
You think she's breaking beauty standarts? I think they're exploiting hers unconventional appearance to sell fashion. People with various conditions used to end up in a circus for people to watch and speak about. Now they're ending up on catwalks for people to watch and speak about.
sunnyrei82 8 years ago
It's not like they're forcing her to do it. It's a career she chose. And she's getting paid to do what she likes! So... no.. I don't feel sorry for her. I'm glad she took advantage of her "difference". She knows she's not considered "normal" by society and beauty standards, she knows fashion is a cruel, shallow industry. But she decided to go for it. And she's doing what she wants and likes. So... kudos for her! I don't think anybody is "exploiting" her. Win-win for everybody.
Load More Replies... Vivek Mhatre 8 years ago
And once again we see, why forgetting a punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. In this case, its the question mark.
Load More Replies...
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