Modern Woman: Iskra Lawrence

Everyone knows, Iskra Lawrence (Jag Models) has some crazy beautiful curves. It was no surprise that Aerie asked the Insta-famous model to be featured in there ‘no photoshop’ campaign. But, there’s much more to this British babe than meets the eye: Lawrence is a body-positivity advocate, as an ambassador for NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) and a teacher at The Body Project. Most recently, the blue-eyed beauty was named the managing editor of the new body-positive site Runway Riot. Beauty and brains, Lawrence has it all.

Introduction: Camden Gaultney
Photography: Lauren Engel
Makeup and hair: Alegra Titus
Interview: Mildred Cheng & Lauren Engel

How did you get inspired for the NEDA’s Seal of Approval?

About 3 years ago I had created an unretouched calendar with my friends to raise money in the UK for cervical cancer and 100% of the proceeds went to the cause. But I started to question how would people know these images weren’t retouched? This thought soon turned into an idea to create a globally recognised symbol (much like the organic one we see on food) that would be awarded to companies, campaigns or even individuals that help promote healthy body image. So in February of this year I met with the National Eating Disorder Association and my mentor and booker Gary Dakin and pitched my vision. They loved the idea and together NEDA inspires was born and awarded to Aerie for their unretouched Campaign.

Talk us through your progression of modeling since you were 13.

I entered Elle Girl search for a supermodel at 13 and was scouted by a London agency, but after a couple of years was dropped for having 36” hips instead of 34”. After being handed a list of other agencies to go see none would take me so I had rethink my game plan. After working with small commercial agencies around the UK – living in Turkey (I can’t even talk about that experience haha) a friend told me about ‘plus size’ modelling. So immediately I went to the most renowned agency but they wouldn’t take me on because I was too small for the sample size UK14. Again I was how I would ever fit in and maybe I was just not meant to model or at least I wouldn’t achieve my dreams. But I kept going and begged a very small plus agency ran out of the bookers front room to take me, after her I started working regularly. I was working 3-4 days a week only small jobs but it was ok money and I had heard that NY was the place ‘to be’ for plus size so I asked if I could meet or speak to any agencies – to which the booker said there is no point your only 5’9 and you’re not big enough for the US market – it’s never going to happen. This was 8 years into being told I was fat more times than people said my name, that I would never make it so I decided to use this as a catalyst and every no turned into my motivation. I didn’t want others to go through what I did and I feel confident that I would be able to represent a huge portion of the population that was under represented. So I went back to the top agency who initially wouldn’t take me on and I showed them I had been working and sold them the model and brand I wanted to be and it worked. After only 3 months I met with JAG models and had moved to NY within 6 months and my life changed forever.

Tell us about your upbringing and how did it shape the person you are now
I am an only child with the most incredibly supportive, loving and creative parents. They had me young and I spent a lot of my childhood with my GranGran who taught me how to bake, sew and converse (a lot). My parents would take me with them everywhere and I would be treated like an adult – no children’s menus – joining in to adults conversations at 3 years old – I became wise beyond my years. Most of my childhood if not spent with my parents of GranGran I was in my room playing with my barbies, drawing and in my teens playing computer games. I was very happy entertaining myself and that has shaped how I am not ‘needy’ I have needed anything from other people and it’s a wonderfully freeing sensation to be able to make yourself happy – it’s enabled me to travel and move countries without worrying about being alone.

As a big-hipped girl myself, I’ve always been insecure about it. People have called them “good birthing hips” although not offensively, it can be a bit of a stab on my self esteem. Have you always been confident with your body?
Not at all, my pre teens I was overweight – everyone called it puppy fat – but it got so bad my parents introduced me to swimming to slim down. I ended up loving it and had a natural talent which lead me to UK nationals and I swam competitively till the age of 16. And even though I was then it was never small enough for the modelling industry so then wondered why I couldn’t change my body shape and be slim enough. But after years upon years of body scrutiny I basically got to my lowest point of self esteem and just thought F this I like myself I’m intelligent and creative and kind and that’s more important than any measurement.

Do you think that the media has advanced in terms of body acceptation?
Slightly, I’ve meet some incredible journalists and editors who are trying to include more body diversity in the media – but how the hell is there still so many crappy magazines with titles like ‘how to lose 10lbs in 2 days’ or ‘look at this celebrities cellulite’ its so so damaging! We are out certain fats and chemicals in food that no one had been educated on anyway but we aren’t educating on self care and mental health.

What impact do you want to have on the world?
If it’s on an individual level or a globally level I want to positively impact lives – I want to share all my experiences to try and help others. Long term I would like to see compulsory nutrition and self classes in schools. I do not need recognition for anything I’m trying to do, because I already receive enough Dm’s and messages off the young people I’m trying to help that my life has meaning ad purpose above anything I could have ever imagined.

What one piece of advice on diet and nutrition would you give a group of people?
Stop using the word diet.

What is your perception about real love?
I’m a huge romantic and I believe in true love, whether its your family; lover; best friend; your dog or pizza if you are honest and true and able to open up someone will be there to love you back because there is only one of you in the whole wide world and that makes you irreplaceble.