Teen daughter of iconic model Rosanna Faraci reveals alopecia battle as she walks the runway

A teenage model with alopecia has shared her journey from battling with low self esteem to shaving her head and proudly walking the catwalk. 

Tiahna Faraci, the 15-year-old daughter of iconic Melbourne model Rosanna Faraci, had always dreamed of following in her mother’s footsteps. 

However, her life took a turn last year when she was diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes gradual hair loss.   

Tiahna’s mental health spiralled as she began losing large clumps of hair, as well as her eyebrows and lashes. 

However in December, she finally decided to embrace her new look by shaving her hair and ‘coming out’ to the public in a heartfelt video on Instagram. 

Iconic model Rosanna Faraci’s daughter Tiahna, 15, has spoken about her battle with alopecia after walking the runway for the first time at Melbourne Fashion Festival last week. (Pictured is Rosanna and Tiahna) 

She has since signed with top modelling agency Giant Management, and stepped onto the runway for the first time alongside her mother at Melbourne Fashion Festival last week. 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about what it was like to shed her insecurities by storming the catwalk, and how she hopes to be an inspiration to others.   

‘Being on the runway meant so much to me, as last year I was in a real dark place and would have never thought I could have done something like this,’ she said. 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about what it was like to shed her insecurities by storming the catwalk, and how she hopes to be an inspiration to others. (Pictured on the runway at Melbourne Fashion Festival last week) 

Tiahna also praised Melbourne designer Aron Katona, whose garments she wore on the runway, for giving her the courage to strut her stuff. (Tiahna is pictured on the runway with designer Aron Katona and her mother Rosanna) 

Tiahna also praised Melbourne designer Aron Katona, whose garments she wore on the runway, for giving her the courage to strut her stuff. 

‘It’s really hard seeing apart of your identity get ripped away from you and then learning how to love yourself again and enough to keep going,’ she added.

While she encourages others to practice ‘self love’, Tiahna also emphasised that it’s ‘important to have sad days and let your anger out, as it can be really damaging to keep all your emotions inside’. 

While she encourages others to practice ‘self love’, Tiahna also emphasised that it’s ‘important to have sad days and let your anger out, as it can be really damaging to keep all your emotions inside’

Tiahna now hopes to turn her dream of becoming a professional model a reality, while also spreading awareness about alopecia and the mental health toll it can take on sufferers 

Meanwhile, Tiahna has also recently launched her own skincare brand Tia and Rose with the help of her mother, who is also known for her work as a photographer and presenter

Tiahna now hopes to turn her dream of becoming a professional model a reality, while also spreading awareness about alopecia and the mental health toll it can take on sufferers. 

‘I want to show everyone that you can still follow your dream with or without hair. The only limitations are the ones we set for ourselves.’ 

Meanwhile, Tiahna has also recently launched her own skincare brand Tia and Rose with the help of her mother, who is also known for her work as a photographer and presenter. 

‘I was actually thinking of making just a hair oil for myself because I couldn’t find anything that was soothing and hydrating for my scalp, so I told my mum about it and then she just said, ‘Why don’t we do it together?” 

The multi-purpose oil can be used on the face, body and hair, and contains only natural ingredients for the most sensitive of skin.