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Plus-Size Model Iskra Lawrence Dishes on How She Learned to Love Her Curves

Plus-Size Model Iskra Lawrence Dishes on How She Learned to Love Her Curves

Long gone are the days of the fashion industry featuring only models who are strictly a size zero. Ashley Graham made history as the first plus-size model featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and Tess Holliday looked like a total bombshell on the cover of People.


B+C: What’s one life habit you try to keep up to help maintain a healthy body image?

IL: Everything in moderation. I look after myself by working out and eating nutritious foods, but at the same time, I don’t worry about eating pizza or dessert. I also set realistic, achievable goals, like cooking at home one more night a week, so I can make healthy choices without setting myself up for failure.

B+C: What are your thoughts on all the attention the plus-size modeling world has received over the last couple of years?

IL: I’m so excited to be a part of this evolution and witness diversity and inclusivity in the modeling world. The more attention this movement receives, the more it can help both men and women realize that there are alternatives to the traditional standards of beauty and that they aren’t defined by a certain look or size.

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✨ this raw screen grab (so no retouching or photoshop) from my shoot yesterday @adoreme means so much to me. Thank goodness I've gotten to the place where I don't compare myself to others. 💕 From when I started modelling at 13 to around 19 (when I was only about a UK 10 or US 6/8) I would have crumbled inside standing next to these two beautiful women and would have been way too insecure to share a pic like this. 😔 Because I hated that my body couldn't be slim. I was told like most of you (from magazines to TV and films) that to be a successful model or women (get the guy, have money, an enviable lifestyle) you had to be slim. 💩 And it took me many years to come to terms with the fact I won't have skinny legs or a thigh gap and that's ok. Because this is my body and my beauty is not defined by my size. I am classed in the fashion industry as plus-size. I could not give a flying F what I'm labelled but I would prefer not to be. The visibility I have (at only a UK14/US12) has many of you questioning well if she's plus-size what am I🤔❓I would prefer that no one was labelled. I don't believe anyone should be categorised by their size; colour, gender, sexuality or religion. Isn't that the beauty of humanity that no two people are the same and that therefore makes us special❓🦄. 💯For real this pic has me buzzing I'm so damn proud to be able to model without worrying about diets or trying to be perfect because I'm happy and healthy and that's what's important. I want to be the model I needed to see growing up in the media showing me it's ok to be imperfect and have flaws and be different that's actually what's so beautiful about you. Thank you to all the brands who work towards inclusivity and those celebrating diversity and of course all 2.3 million of you - I wouldn't be here without your support ILY 😚💕✨ #iskralawrence #everyBODYisbeautiful H&M @donnafumoso @hairandmakeupbyjosephine models @bregjeheinen @simonevillasboas AD @corinneaa @mosadek @morganhw Photog @udophotography styling @ariannalevin

A post shared by i s k r a (@iskra) on

B+C: What is one change you would like to see in the plus-size fashion + modeling world in the foreseeable future?

IL: I would like to get rid of labels altogether to create a seamless inclusion of models of all sizes. Beauty is more than skin-deep, and I hope to one day open up a magazine and see curvier models in campaigns and editorials and have that be the norm. We’ve made a lot of progress so far, but there’s still work to be done for the industry to be truly diverse and inclusive.

B+C: What’s been the most inspiring moment for you during your time as an Aerie Real girl?

IL: It’s been such an incredible experience working with Aerie, so it’s hard to pick one. Whenever I travel to different stores and meet girls from different cities and backgrounds, I am continually humbled by their stories and how we are all connected by the similar battles we face with ourselves and our bodies. I love listening and learning about what they’ve gone through and how they’ve been inspired by the #aeriereal campaign and other changes in the industry.

B+C: Have there been any defining moments in your modeling career that have helped you really accept, appreciate and love your body?

IL: I will never forget the moment I saw myself on a billboard in Times Square. It was a swim campaign with Aerie and was completely unretouched. After 10 years in the industry constantly being told I was either too big or too small and feeling unworthy as a model, seeing myself and my body on that billboard finally gave me the self-confidence I had been denying myself. My dream is to help every woman and man who struggles with the same feelings discover their true, individual beauty and learn to love themselves just the way they are.

What do you hope to see more of in the modeling world? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.