Abandoned as a baby due to her albinism, Xueli Abbing’s story is one of courage, resilience, and breaking stereotypes. From the orphanage steps in China to gracing the pages of Vogue Italia, her journey reminds us that beauty comes in all forms and that the challenges we face can become the foundation of our greatest triumphs.
Born Different: A Difficult Start in Life
Xueli Abbing’s life began with heartbreak. Born in China during the one-child policy era, she was abandoned outside an orphanage as a baby. The likely reason? Her albinism—a genetic condition that reduces or eliminates melanin, resulting in pale skin, white hair, and sensitivity to light.
In many cultures, albinism is misunderstood, and in extreme cases, it is feared or stigmatized. In some regions, children with albinism face grave dangers, including being hunted for their body parts due to harmful superstitions.
“I’m lucky I was only abandoned,” Xueli shared in an interview, highlighting the grim reality faced by many others with her condition.
A New Beginning: Adopted Into Love
At the age of three, Xueli’s life took a turn for the better when she was adopted by a loving family in the Netherlands. Her new family gave her the name “Xueli,” with “Xue” meaning snow and “Li” meaning beautiful—a poignant reminder of her unique beauty.
Growing up in a supportive environment, Xueli was encouraged to embrace her differences. But it wasn’t until she was 11 years old that she took her first step into modeling, setting her on a path she never imagined.
Breaking Into Modeling: A Campaign for Diversity
At 11, Xueli’s mom connected with a designer friend who was working on a campaign called “Perfect Imperfections.” The campaign aimed to celebrate beauty in all its forms, challenging the industry’s narrow standards.
“She asked if I wanted to join her fashion show in Hong Kong,” Xueli recalled. “That was an amazing experience.”
From that moment on, Xueli became a force for change in the fashion world. Her photos and presence on the runway told a powerful story—one of breaking stereotypes and redefining what it means to be beautiful.
A Star Is Born: Xueli Lands in Vogue
Xueli’s big break came when a London-based photographer captured her essence in a stunning photoshoot. The images were so striking that one was sold to Vogue Italia for its June 2019 issue.
“At the time, I didn’t realize what a big deal it was,” Xueli admitted. “It took me a while to understand why people were so excited.”
From Vogue to international fashion shoots and catwalks, Xueli has become a sought-after model. She has even worked with renowned brands like Kurt Geiger, using her platform to showcase a different kind of beauty.
Overcoming Challenges in the Fashion World
Despite her success, modeling hasn’t been easy for Xueli. Her albinism affects her vision, leaving her with only 8–10% sight. Bright camera flashes can be painful for her eyes, making photoshoots particularly challenging.
But Xueli doesn’t let this stop her. In fact, she sees her partial blindness as a gift. “Maybe because I can’t see everything properly, I focus more on people’s voices and what they have to say,” she explained. “So their inner beauty is more important to me.”
Changing the Narrative Around Albinism
Xueli’s mission goes beyond modeling. She’s using her growing platform to educate the world about albinism and to challenge harmful stereotypes.
“I want to use modeling to talk about albinism and say it’s a genetic disorder, not a curse,” she said. “The way to talk about it is to say ‘a person with albinism,’ because being ‘an albino’ sounds like it defines who you are.”
Her message is clear: people with albinism are not defined by their condition. They deserve respect, opportunity, and the freedom to live without fear.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
For Xueli, modeling is about more than fashion. It’s about paving the way for others who feel different.
“I want other children with albinism—or any form of disability or difference—to know they can do and be anything they want,” she said. “People might say you can’t do things, but you can. Just try.”
Her words inspire not just children but everyone facing adversity. Xueli’s journey shows that with determination and the right support, it’s possible to turn even the toughest beginnings into incredible successes.
A Bright Future Ahead
At just 16 years old, Xueli has already achieved what many only dream of. But for her, this is just the beginning. She plans to continue using her voice to advocate for inclusion and to challenge outdated beauty standards.
Her ultimate goal? To create a world where diversity isn’t just celebrated—it’s normalized.
“There are still models who are like eight foot two and skinny,” Xueli joked. “But now people with disabilities or differences are featured more in the media, and this is great. It should be normal.”
Conclusion: Redefining Beauty, One Step at a Time
Xueli Abbing’s story is one of resilience, courage, and hope. From being abandoned as a baby to gracing the pages of Vogue Italia, she has turned her challenges into opportunities to inspire and educate others.
Her journey is a reminder that beauty isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about embracing who you are and showing the world what makes you unique.
As Xueli continues to break barriers and shatter stereotypes, she’s proving that the future of fashion—and the world—is in good hands. And her story? It’s just getting started.
