When you think about fashion and beauty, the image that comes to mind is often shaped by narrow standards. Perfect skin, symmetrical features, and a polished appearance have long been the ideals promoted across industries. But slowly, these rigid expectations are being challenged. One of the voices leading that change is Kirpal Bhogal, a British Indian model, vitiligo advocate, and diversity campaigner.
Kirpal’s story is more than a personal journey. It is about resilience, representation, and the power of embracing what makes us unique. From his early struggles with self-acceptance to featuring on international campaigns, Kirpal is breaking barriers and inspiring countless others with visible differences.
Living With Vitiligo: The Early Struggles
Kirpal was just ten years old when he developed vitiligo, a condition where skin loses its pigment in patches. For a young boy, the sudden change in appearance was not easy. He recalls struggling with confidence, feeling different from his peers, and questioning why this happened to him.
Like many others living with vitiligo, he faced not just the condition itself but also the weight of societal perceptions. Growing up in a world that praised flawless beauty, Kirpal often felt pressure to hide his skin. Covering up seemed easier than standing out.
Yet deep inside, he wished to accept himself. That turning point, however, would not come until years later, when he stepped into fatherhood.
Images by Alice Webb
The Turning Point: Fatherhood and Embracing Uniqueness
In 2016, Kirpal and his wife welcomed their son. Becoming a father brought with it a powerful shift in perspective. He realized that children often learn by example, and if he wanted his son to grow up confident and proud of who he is, Kirpal had to lead the way.
“I chose to embrace my skin instead of hiding it,” he shares. “I wanted to teach my son from day one that being unique is okay. That moment shaped my confidence and inspired me to use modelling and advocacy as platforms for representation.”
That decision became the foundation of his journey as a model and activist. By no longer hiding, Kirpal began living with authenticity — and that authenticity would soon open doors he never thought possible.
From Instagram Posts to International Campaigns
Kirpal’s journey into modelling began in a simple yet powerful way: by sharing his story online. Through his Instagram account a.patchy.indian, he started posting openly about vitiligo and self-acceptance. His candid storytelling, combined with striking visuals, attracted attention and support from people across the world.
Soon after, he signed with Zebedee Talent, a pioneering agency representing models with disabilities and visible differences. This move gave him access to opportunities that aligned with his mission, campaigns that were about more than fashion, but also about representation.
Over time, Kirpal appeared in international campaigns, magazines, and projects that celebrated diversity. His unique look was no longer something to hide, it became his strength.
Images by Alice Webb
A Life Changing Cinema Moment
Among all his achievements, one stands out for its emotional weight. Kirpal recalls taking his wife and son to an Odeon cinema. As the lights dimmed and the big screen lit up, his family saw something they had not expected — Kirpal himself, featured as the opening face of Odeon’s advertisement campaign.
“To see myself, with vitiligo, up on the big screen was a life changing moment,” he says. For Kirpal, it wasn’t just about personal success. It was about representation. It was about his son seeing his father’s face celebrated, not hidden. That moment embodied everything he wanted to stand for — visibility, pride, and breaking barriers.
Overcoming Fear and Redefining Beauty
Behind the glamorous photoshoots and exciting campaigns lies the reality of Kirpal’s biggest challenge: self-doubt. Entering an industry obsessed with perfection wasn’t easy.
“The fear of rejection was real,” he admits. “But I learned to see my difference as my strength. That lesson was life changing.”
Vitiligo, once the source of insecurity, became the very feature that set him apart. His journey is a living example of how the traits we once wished away can become our superpowers.
The Road to London Fashion Week
In September 2025, Kirpal is preparing to model at London Fashion Week in the Future of Fashion show by Bullock Inclusion. The event is dedicated to diversity and inclusion in fashion, showcasing talent that defies outdated industry norms.
For Kirpal, walking the runway is more than a career milestone. It is a statement that beauty comes in all forms. It is proof that visible differences deserve to be celebrated on the world’s biggest stages.
His participation highlights his long term goal — making diversity in fashion the norm, not the exception.
Advocacy Beyond Modelling
Kirpal’s impact extends beyond runways and campaigns. He is an ambassador for the Vitiligo Society, serves on the DEI Committee at the British Beauty Council, and uses his platform to create conversations about visible differences.
Through talks, online advocacy, and collaborations, he works to normalize diversity in all spaces, not just fashion. His message is clear: representation matters, and every individual deserves to feel seen and valued.
Lessons Learned on the Journey
Looking back, Kirpal says the greatest lesson he has learned is that authenticity is power.
“By showing up as my true self, I’ve attracted opportunities I had only dreamed of as a child. It has taught me to lead with honesty and purpose in everything I do, whether in life, modelling, or my full time job.”
This perspective resonates with many who follow his journey. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t come from fitting into someone else’s box, but from embracing who you truly are.
Leaving a Legacy
More than campaigns and catwalks, Kirpal is focused on the bigger picture: legacy. He wants to be remembered as someone who broke barriers for people with visible differences and made them feel seen.
“I want others to feel proud of who they are, regardless of having a visible or non-visible difference. That is the legacy I wish to leave behind.”
His advice to others facing similar struggles is heartfelt:
“Don’t hide. Your uniqueness will become your superpower. Be patient, trust yourself and your journey, and know that the very thing you once wished away will one day inspire so many others.”
The Future Ahead
As Kirpal prepares for his upcoming shows and continues blending modelling with advocacy, his story serves as a powerful reminder that the fashion industry and the world need more voices like his.
His Instagram is filled not just with professional shots but also with glimpses of family life, behind the scenes moments, and motivational reflections. It is this balance of vulnerability and strength that makes his presence so impactful.
From the young boy who once struggled with vitiligo to the man who now represents inclusion on global stages, Kirpal Bhogal has truly transformed his journey into a movement.
Do follow him on Instagram
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