This Plus-Size Model Is Changing Body Image for the Better
Iskra Lawrence is a 25-year-old model from Worcestershire who is making a mark in the plus-size world. The Gigi Hadid lookalike is not only a successful model but a body activist as well. She was scouted at the tender age of 13 after entering an ELLE girl search, but now wants to educate women on positive body image, and work to change the way the modelling industry works.
"I realised at around 18 that instead of trying to change my body to fit into sample sizes I would try to change the industry," she said. "When I signed with my current agencies they helped me realise that I could be a successful model at my size. So I focused on becoming the best version of myself, work harder, research nutrition and work out to feel strong and healthy."
Iskra is a size 14 model who says that she hasn't attempted dieting for six years or so. She prefers not to count calories, but rather to focus on making the right healthy choices. "I love making a green juice every morning but also treating myself to pizza - it's about moderation," she said.
The gorgeous model is a hit on Instagram. With over 379,000 followers, she likes to post images of her every day life as well as glamour shots of fashion shoots. She uses her account to help push body positivity. One image in particular shows her in a tiny bikini, the focus clearly on her curves. "Oh hey there. Yes this is clearly a booty pic but do you see why? Because I haven't airbrushed my tiger stripe stretch marks or my cellulite lightening bolts or my back fat - because this is my body. I love it it's real and I love posting pictures showing how confident I am because society has taught us we have 'flaws' and I'm telling you who gives a... Because you are more than your body and you get to decide what beauty is #everyBODYisbeautiful," the caption read.
People loved her words. The image was liked more than 32,000 times and had close to 3,000 positive comments.
As for how Iskra stays fit, she likes to workout for two hours a day, three to four times a week, mixing it up with high intensity training like box jumps, burpees and skipping as well as weights, squats, lunges and leg presses.
The model also runs the website RunwayRiot, which is focused on fashion, style and beauty for women of all sizes. "I want to celebrate the underrepresented and often overlooked community of curvier women who deserve to have just as many stylish choices as everyone else," she said. Every image on the site is unretouched. "I'm excited to show designers that they should start creating more sizes because these women feel beautiful and want to wear the same clothes and rock them no matter what size."
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She's also bee working with the National Eating Disorder Association as well as the Body Project as a means to educating young men and women about eating disorder prevention and how the media plays a part in poor body image.
The model wants to provide a positive impact on others by showing them that you should love your body no matter its size. She wants self-care, body image and nutrition classes to be incorporated into schools. "With more education, we can save lives from both anorexia and obesity," she said.
She also shared her advice for people in the industry, saying "Don't compare yourself to others, I didn't fit in and I thought there was something wrong with me but when you realise that is your beauty - your individuality. Use that power to make yourself irreplaceable."
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