KEY POINTS:
Bald and beautiful, Kiwi model Anna Fitzpatrick has just been named spokeswoman for a trust set up to raise awareness of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
The Australasia-wide Princess Charlotte Alopecia Areata Foundation is named for the daughter of Penrith Panthers coach Mathew Adamson, Fitzpatrick says.
"His daughter Charlotte has just developed alopecia - she's only seven, the same age as me when I got it."
Alopecia universalis is the most severe form of alopecia areata - an autoimmune disorder that causes all hair, including body hair and eyebrows, to fall out and can occur at any age.
Fitzpatrick, who presents fashion show The Seen on Alt TV and is completing a communications degree at AUT as well as modelling for top international agencies, says the trust aims to raise awareness of alopecia in schools and the wider community.
"When I was at school people thought they could catch it," she says. "Ten years ago, people weren't talking about it."
Fitzpatrick, who has modelled for design houses Karen Walker and Christian Dior, says losing hair can be a traumatic experience and it helps to talk to others going through a similar ordeal. Fitzpatrick's condition has its advantages - she can be a cropped blonde one day, and sport long brunette waves the next, thanks to her half-dozen custom-made wigs.
