Iskra Lawrence is one of the beautiful faces of Aerie's new #AerieReal campaign. The campaign is all about self-acceptance, and while we may have seen that before (Victoria's Secret "Love My Body") we haven't seen it done quite this perfectly.
The VS models in "Love My Body" compared to an unretouched #aeriereal model.
#AerieReal is all about the natural beauty of an unretouched model. But it doesn't stop there. These models come in all shapes and sizes. Iskra Lawrence has been widely regarded as a "plus size" model, and recently found herself in the spotlight when she used Instagram to shut down "fat-shamers."
Iskra looking lovely in some Aerie undies.
While in the fashion industry it is fairly easy to be considered a "plus-size" model (size 8 and up) I think we should be looking at our model labels a little differently. And Iskra is the perfect example. Here are some lessons we can take from (my new favorite) model, Iskra Lawrence.
1. Body Positivity should be represented in all lights
Lawrence is not what most agencies would consider the "typical" model. She's got breasts, a butt and thighs that put us all to shame and curves and rolls that shape all of her #AerieReal photoshoots. What more is there to love? Maybe the fact that she is a huge advocate for body positivity. Lawrence was turned down at modeling agencies for having hips that were too wide, and turned away at plus-size agencies for not being plus-sized enough. Lawrence loves working with #AerieReal, and says that "Aerie builds you up and it makes you feel positive."
2. Iskra Lawrence is an amazing role model for young women
After working with Aerie, Iskra came up with the idea for the National Eating Disorder Association's Seal of Approval, helping Aerie to win a NEDA Inspires award. This seal shows young women what NEDA recognizes as completely unretouched. "It's a very hard thing to do for companies," Iskra said in an interview with Business Insider. Aside from models, companies also retouch the way the clothes fit the models, i.e. smoothing over wrinkles. The seal shows young women that they are "looking at something that isn't damaging." Lawrence has also expressed her interest in someday taking part in a TED Talk, wanting to "create a lasting impression on the fashion industry."
3. Iskra works hard for the body she has, and more young women need to be aware of this.
Lawrence is a gym regular, spending two to three days in the gym every week, and working out for an hour and a half to two hours. She doesn't diet, but she does watch what she eats. She was on a swim team as a teenager, and her involvement with swimming helped her to realize how important a good relationship with food is. "I felt like sports did help me to realize that my body was more than just what it looked like," Lawrence told Business Insider. "If I didn't eat, then I couldn't swim fast." While Lawrence doesn't follow a strict diet plan, she does try to make healthy choices. Her diet is full of fruits, veggies, and protein. Her go-to healthy meal is salmon, sweet potato wedges, and broccoli.
4. Iskra has "joie de vivre"
"An exuberant enjoyment of life." Joie de vivre is important for any girl to remember on a journey to body positivity. She uses her Instagram to show off her rockin' bod, model lifestyle and to help girls to remember all the different shapes that women can come in. She also uses Snapchat to connect with her fans. "It's a way to show me at home," Lawrence said. "No makeup on, dressed down, eating chicken wings."
Finally, Lawrence focuses her life on achievement, and not fitting herself to other people's standards.
"Know that it's more important to learn, take in culture, meet people, and try to achieve something more with your life other than what you look like," Lawrence told Glamour. "Instead of waking up and worrying about your thigh gap, wake up and worry about what you're going to achieve today. What can you do and how can you give back?"What else is there to say? Iskra Lawrence, we love you.
Check out Lawrence's interviews with Business Insider and Glamour Magazine. If you'd like to learn more about her lifestyle, follow her at @iamiskra on Instagram.
