Iskra is featured on Harper’s Bazaar: Watch this Face this week. You can find the pictures in the gallery & don’t forget to read her interview below ↓ & under read more (credit: harpers baazar uk)
Photoshoot Pictures > 2017 > Harper’s Bazaar: Watch This Face (October 2017)
We meet the British role model and Instagram sensation
Every week, Bazaar’s booking team highlights one name to note, from the industry’s best-known faces to girls who are just starting out. This week, we turn our attention to Iskra Lawrence.
There is no end to Lawrence’s empowering accomplishments, as she has truly championed the fashion-industry movement of promoting body positivity. At L’Oréal’s debut fashion show in Paris, she celebrated diversity in size and age alongside iconic figures such as Helen Mirren and Doutzen Kroes. Her mission to lead women to embrace confidence and self-love is voiced openly through her Instagram, which attracts a large and devoted following.
The model’s campaigns for Aerie, America Eagle’s sister store for lingerie, furthers her passion to represent all body types. Her adverts feature unretouched images with the aim of challenging current supermodel standards. Her warmth shines through her soft, elegant features and beautifully beach-waved, blonde hair.
“Iskra is quite possibly the most inspirational woman you will ever come across.” says JAG Models’ Jaclyn Sarka. “While being the all-American beauty, this effervescent Brit exudes a confidence far beyond her years. Not only is her presence palpable, her intelligence, drive and empathy make her a role model for boys, girls, men and women alike. To use your burgeoning fame for good is not just something she happens to be doing, it is the driving force for this unstoppable beauty.”
Lawrence’s captivating career is quickly growing and diversifying in line with her other passions. Alongside modelling, she is an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association, a writer for the Huffington Post and Self Magazine, and an influential figure in the fashion and beauty industries. We talk to Lawrence about how she discovered modelling, her powerful advice for aspiring models and her love of fish and chips.
How were you discovered?
“I always dreamed of being a model. When I was younger I loved dressing up and playing around with fashion. My family saw that Elle Girl magazine was conducting a model search and I was so excited just to enter. I ended up getting all the way to the finals and was scouted. That’s what really kicked off my modelling career.”If you weren’t modelling, which career would you pursue and why?
“I don’t believe in plan Bs. I never spent much time thinking about what I would do if I weren’t a model, because I was so determined and I knew I could do it.”What would you say has been the highlight of your career so far?
“Becoming the Aerie real role model has been one of the biggest moments of my career so far. It was a dream come true to be part of the campaign itself, let alone knowing I was going to be a bigger part of the brand and create a movement with them that has changed my life.”How do you spend your free time?
“I love to spend time with my friends and family. I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve surrounded myself with the most amazing people that inspire me to no end. If I have some time off I visit home, catch up with friends, try out new work-outs… the list goes on.”Do you have any travel tips for those visiting your hometown?
“There’s a lovely place nearby called Bewdley where you can sit by the river and eat fish and chips. I would tell anyone visiting to go to Warwickshire to see the castle and take a tour of Shakespeare’s home town. Also the Cotswolds isn’t far and it’s stunning.”What are the three products you can’t live without?
“I live in my American Eagle jeans and Aerie bralettes and leggings. A few others I can’t live without are L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara, Benefit High Beam and Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom.”What’s your favourite form of exercise?
“I really enjoy changing up my exercise regime. I like trying new things in the gym and try to keep it fresh and exciting. One of my go-tos is definitely squats. You can use them in so many different ways and change up the form in several variations.”What is your dream shoot?
“I’d love to do an unretouched shoot with Mario Testino for the Pirelli calendar in Brazil. I’ve never been and I’d love for Mario Testino to show me the best spots. Or a portrait to hang on my wall by Annie Leibovitz.”
Name your five essential items you wouldn’t leave the house without?
“Rose water, a bottle of water, lip balm, my keys and my phone.”What kind of advice would you give to new girls to the industry?
“There are two very important pieces of advice I would give girls starting out in this industry. The first, and this applies outside of the industry as well, is to stop comparing yourself to others that came before you. The more we compare ourselves to others, the easier it is to find flaws in ourselves. If you want to be successful you need to be able to find value in what makes you different and recognise your worth. The second piece of advice I would give is to practise. Practise in the mirror, practise with friends, practise whenever you can. You need to feel totally comfortable in front of a camera and in front of large crowds, who are often strangers. Like anything else, the more you practise, the more comfortable you will become.”Is there a model’s career that you admire and why?
“There are so many models whose careers I admire. The one thing they all have in common is always how uniquely themselves they are. My favourite models are the ones who have a strong sense of who they are and are not afraid to flaunt their imperfections and flaws. It takes so much courage but that to me is what makes a strong model. To name one specifically, Cameron Russell was really a huge inspiration to me and showed me that I can use my career and platform to make a positive impact. ”What is your life motto?
“My life motto is: ‘You are perfectly imperfect.’ I think this applies to everyone and it’s a great way to remind myself and everyone to stop comparing ourselves to others and stop trying to fit into this ‘perfect’ mould that society has set for us. We are meant to be different in our own ways and should be celebrating our imperfections and differences.”Let’s talk about favourites. What about…
…music? “Nineties R&B like Ashanti and Aaliyah.”
…movies? “Beethoven because I love dogs or Clueless because I’m obsessed with the Nineties.”
…books? “The Secret.”
…food? “I really enjoy cooking. My favourite meal to cook would be lasagne. But there is nothing quite like my Mum’s Christmas Day dinner. She makes a proper traditional roast with meat, potatoes and veggies. That is my favourite.”