In the two years since Iskra Lawrence started modeling for Aerie sans Photoshop, the 25-year-old model has become one of the most vocal body positive advocates in the fashion game. She won't retouch any of her Instagram photos, she slams haters who call her fat, she has no problem stripping down while discussing her insecurities, she keeps it real when it comes to her workout schedule, and she's not afraid to remind her followers that what you see on Instagram isn't always real.
Iskra is exactly the kind of role model the fashion industry needs — but while she's OK with women looking up to her, she definitely doesn't want them comparing themselves to her.
"I hope that when women see my ads, they feel good enough," says the model, who was told she was too big for regular modeling gigs but too skinny for plus-size bookings. "For so many years, I didn't feel good enough, and then I got to a place where I realized [I just needed to be] the best version of myself, respecting my body, looking after my body, not trying to change my body. I hope that reflects in how happy and confident I am, and that's really what I wish other women take away when they see the photos that I'm in."
That's not to say Iskra — with her Instagram feed full of one gorgeous, unretouched photo after another — is immune to insecurity. "I used to be that teenage girl who looked in the mirror and hated what she saw and really wanted to change her body," she admits. "Now, I'm just like, it's not the end of the world to not have a thigh gap. It's not the end of the world to have cellulite. When I'm insecure, I'm just like 'hell, no, I've been through so much, I will not feel bad today. I'm going to shine today because I deserve to.'"
Easier said than done, though, right? Not so much, says Iskra. It really just takes one major shift in perspective. "When I stopped [comparing myself to other people] and really just saw the beauty in other people as well as myself, it was a sigh of relief, to be honest. I can't ever be them, but they can't ever be me. That's what makes you special. It just makes life easier, just knowing that you are good enough."
Let's get a round of 🙌 for Iskra.
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