Addressing Psoriasis™ Winners

'Pearls it is!'
Saskia Shuman
Age 24, New York City

Picture a little girl with adhesive bandages covering her hands, and her neck draped with costume jewelry. That was Saskia Shuman in kindergarten. "Even at five," she says, "I was like, 'Pearls it is!' "

That irrepressible sense of style has carried through to adulthood. Saskia says she "practically lives in black," often wearing bright scarves to keep flakes off her shoulders. Her scarf collection doubles as home décor, hanging by color in her bedroom.

One night, looking at the Web site for Bravo TV's hit series "Project Runway," Saskia saw a notice about the Addressing Psoriasis™ contest. Tim Gunn, who is featured on the show, was contest spokesman.

"I saw Tim Gunn and the word 'psoriasis,' which you don't usually see in the same place." She says she entered the contest "on a whim" and is shocked that she is one of eight winners.

Having moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, she says, is sometimes a struggle. "There are days when I wonder why I am still having to deal with this, and if I will have to deal with it forever." She tries to put her psoriasis in perspective and think of it like any other physical trait.

"Everyone has flaws they wish they could hide. I wear black because it's slimming. I wear scarves because I have psoriasis. It's just making the best of what you have."

Though she's not worried about the attention she'll get on the runway, Saskia says she is a little nervous about the walking part. "Remember the "Sex and the City" (episode) where Carrie trips on the runway? That could be me."