Rags to riches: 11-year-old albino twins' modelling debut

Lara and Mara Bawar. Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

These striking photos celebrate the diverse beauty of twin models with albinism.

Lara and Mara Bawar, aged 11, from, Sau Paulo, Brazil were born with the condition that causes lack of pigment in skin and hair.

They were picked to model with Nike and Bazaar-kids together with their 13-year-old sister Sheila.

Inspired by their look, Swiss photographer Vinicius Terranova, 26, worked with the young models as part of his own project called Rare Flowers.

Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

Vinicius, who lives in Sau Paulo, said: "I came across the models in a video.

"They are incredibly beautiful and talented and that's why I wanted to work with them.

"They are self-confident, intelligent and work very well.

"A beauty that is not that uncommon but rather rarely perceived while out there every day, ready to be noticed and given its deserved spotlight.

"A plea to the power of diversity, it represents the encounter of their sublime beauty."

The 11-year-old twins dream of international acting and modelling careers.

Lara said: "We feel albinism is pretty, we love our hair, eye colour and skin tone.

"Our hair and skin tone are pretty and we feel very special wearing the make-up, hair and light that are worked to fit us.

"We also love to read the beautiful comments on our pictures."

The twins' older sister Sheila does not have the condition. Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

While Mara added: "Growing up like this was amazing, we love being different and are happy with our unique beauty."

The girls parents are from Guine Bissau in West Africa.

Older sister Sheila added: "I like studying, designing dresses, acting and modelling. When I grow up I want to be a stylist.

Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

Lara and Mara Bawar. Photo / Vinicius Terranova, Caters News

"We love it. We are very expressive and creative. It feels wonderful to put this out there, to communicate with people who identify with our work.

"We like to see our beauty being valued by its unique aspects."

- Caters News