Hanne Gaby Odiele


Hanne Gaby Odiele is a Belgian model.

Early life

Odiele was born on 8 October 1988 in Kortrijk, Belgium. She was born intersex as a result of androgen insensitivity syndrome, meaning that she was born with a vulva and vagina despite her DNA being XY and internal gonads being testes; Odiele's cells do not respond to the testosterone that her DNA causes her gonads to produce.
As a child, Odiele underwent medical procedures relating to her condition, which she said took place without her or her parents' informed consent. Odiele was told about her intersex variation weeks before beginning her modelling career.

Career

Odiele was noticed by Tom Van Dorpe while attending the Novarock rock festival in Kortrijk, Belgium. In 2005, Odiele signed with Supreme Management in New York City. In September, Odiele made her debut on the runways, walking for Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Ruffian, and Thakoon in New York. In 2006, she appeared in features for Vogue and became the face of Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti.
In December 2006, Odiele was hit by a car that ran a red light, breaking her legs. After multiple surgeries and several months of intense physical therapy, Odiele was back on the catwalk in Spring and Fall 2008 shows, walking for Chanel, Givenchy, Prada, and others.
Odiele has been in magazines such Vogue Italia, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, and Elle. Odiele has appeared on the cover of Vogue and French Revue de Modes. Odiele has booked some of the industry's most lucrative campaigns, including those for Mulberry, Balenciaga, Anna Sui, Vera Wang, and DKNY Jeans.

Personal life

Odiele lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City. Odiele married model John Swiatek in 2016.
After publicly disclosing her intersex status in 2017, Odiele partnered with interACT to advocate for intersex human rights. In interviews with The Times and Dazed, Odiele has described her identity as an intersex woman, and her desire for an intersex community.