Melanie Sykes, the British television presenter and former model, has debuted a striking new look in her first fashion campaign since publicly revealing her battle with alopecia. The 55-year-old posed for a photoshoot in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, showcasing her recently shaved head, a decision she made earlier this summer as her hair loss progressed due to the autoimmune condition.

Sykes appeared in a tailored white suit and later a black leather jacket while modeling sunglasses for the London-based brand Cubitts. Several images captured her confidently facing the camera, reflecting a bold embrace of her changing appearance. This campaign marks her first professional engagement since announcing her diagnosis last year.

The presenter, known in the 1990s for her modeling work and iconic Boddingtons Bitter commercials, has been open about her ongoing health challenges. Alongside alopecia, she has disclosed dealing with widespread inflammation and a heart condition, which she connects to prolonged stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In June, Sykes shared a selfie on social media featuring her fully shaved head with the caption, “Loss + Gain = Life.” She also posted a video earlier in the year showing large bald patches, describing her hair as mostly gone except for some remaining at the crown. She has spoken candidly about the emotional and physical realities of hair loss, mentioning the cold she experiences due to hair thinning and her use of beanies and headwear to adapt.

Sykes attributed some of the stress contributing to her health issues to a public controversy involving TV chef Gino D’Acampo. The two worked together on ITV’s “Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel” between 2011 and 2014. She said the experience caused a significant increase in stress levels that affected her well-being even though she had left the industry years earlier.

Despite these challenges, Sykes emphasized the importance of resilience and positivity, noting her ability to laugh about her hair loss. She has encouraged followers to practice gratitude daily, acknowledging the mental effort it requires but positioning it as key to happiness.

Throughout her career, Sykes has hosted television programs such as “The Big Breakfast,” “Today with Des and Mel,” and “Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel.” Her recent openness about alopecia and related health struggles adds a new dimension to her public image, demonstrating adaptability and confidence in the face of visible change.