Living with alopecia, I saw a culture of empowerment that often revolved around wigs, makeup, and glow-up transition videos. While in some ways those paths are empowering, in other ways they push the narrative that being bald is the “before picture”. Which, frankly, I don’t like. I wanted to be valid and beautiful without being hyper-glam, hyper-feminine, and hyper-sexual.

I created the term Alopichána to be an alternative to saying “I am an alopecian”. For me, saying “I am alopichána” is more feminine, more fun, and more alluring. Being Latin based, it connects to themes of deep cultural pride, a strong community identity, and a powerful resilience through hardship.

Alopichána is visual rebellion, escape, and an invitation - offering an alternative way of approaching the ups and downs of living with alopecia. Through creativity, storytelling, and art, we are trailblazing the beauty industry. Through our love of nature and what is real, we are going against the grain of traditional empowerment.

I want “I’m alopichána” or “Soy una alopichána” to be the connecting force for girls with alopecia from all over the world to unite under the movement towards authenticity, bravery, and beauty - in our own way.