To be a model, you have to have a certain je ne sais quoi. And one woman who certainly has that is Melanie Gaydos. Born with a form of ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that affects the skin, hair, teeth and nails, Melanie has an incredibly unique look.
But she’s been able to use her striking features to her advantage, finding success in the modeling industry and breaking down beauty standard barriers. Below, you’ll find a list of stunning photos Melanie has shared on Instagram to her 160K followers. So enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote the ones that you find most captivating!



Melanie Gaydos has been a sensation in the modeling industry for the past decade. From appearing in Rammstein music videos to walking the runway at fashion week, it’s clear that her unique look has captivated many people around the globe.
Melanie’s fascinating features can be attributed to the fact that she has ectodermal dysplasia. This is an umbrella term for disorders affecting the skin, sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails, and there have been over 180 variations of this condition identified. ED can also sometimes cause a cleft lip or palate and issues with a person’s immune system, vision and/or hearing. It is a very rare disorder, affecting less than 200,000 individuals in the United States.

