Rankin’s newest project aims to reframe the “beauty status quo” in a new book, Portrait Positive

A new book titled Portrait Positive is the latest project shot by Rankin in collaboration with the charity, Changing Faces and designer Steven Tai. Rankin photographed 16 women with medical conditions that exhibit physically such as scars, in order to promote a diversity of beautiful faces.

Speaking about the project, Rankin says, “Living with a visible difference you are compared to what I think is a fake idea of what it is to be beautiful or even ‘normal’. The only way to shift this perception is to talk about it and face it head on. Our amazing subjects are dealing with these issues with grace, dignity and strength. It was an absolute honour to work with them and try to create a discussion around what it is to be beautiful. To me they are all unique.”

Changing Faces is the leading charity for 1.3 million children, young people and adults in the UK who have a medical condition, mark or scar that makes them look different. Approximately one in 111 people in the UK have a significant visible facial difference, despite being largely absent from representations in fashion and the media.

Portrait Positive will launch on Tuesday and will be available to purchase online as well as select stores, boutique and art spaces across the UK.