Winnie Harlow has been named the first-ever global ambassador for haircare brand Paul Mitchell.
The 26-year-old model will debut in the brand's 2021 campaign which was shot by photographer Micaiah Carter, and is centred around "celebrating the power of self-expression through hair".
"I think it's important to show Black hair in all its glory because for so long Black girls weren't able to get specific hair styles," she told People. "At one point in time, there weren't a lot of hairstylists that knew how to handle or style Black hair.
"It's really important to me to show that as a Black woman, I can have all the hairstyles that any other girl can have – it just takes someone with the education and knowledge of Black hair to execute it.”
The model said her love for haircare started in childhood, and recalled sweet memories of watching her mother working in a hair salon.
"I wanted to partner with a haircare brand because hair is so important to me, and the health of hair especially is really important to me," she explained. "I loved just watching her style other people's hair and watching them come in and leave with a big smile on their face from their hair transformation."
She also touched upon her own hair regime, and confessed that she enjoys wearing wigs to protect her natural locks.
"My hair journey has been broad and across the spectrum – with extensions, weaves, wigs and natural hair. Right now, I'm just enjoying protecting my natural hair. My priority has now become taking care of my hair. I just wash my hair, get my hair styled and braided, and then leave it for a month at a time to just let it grow and be healthy," she shared.
