…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Iskra Lawrence’s mum enrolled her into modelling when she was 12 years old.
The 32-year-old model has been interested in modelling since she was 10 years old.
She had her first break in 2014 with Aerie after flaunting her curves and “rolls” in lingerie for a campaign, which was monumental for the body positive movement.
Iskra is now a household name, a CEO of her own brands, an Instagram star and has fronted huge campaigns.
She advocates for more diversity in the modelling industry and continues to post untouched content to her 5 million Instagram fans.
The Beginning of a Modelling Career
Iskra’s mum signed her up for a modelling agency at 12 years old, after the young model convinced her that modelling was what she wanted to do.
Although she couldn’t officially model until she was 13, as soon as she was, her mother helped her apply for Elle Girl’s “Search for a Supermodel” competition.
She loved dressing up in her mother’s eclectic clothes and shoes, and was eager to explore the rest of the world through a modelling career.
Breaking Barriers in the Industry
In her interview with Daily Star, Iskra said that her first Aerie campaign broke barriers in the industry.
The lingerie campaign showed a woman sitting comfortably in her “rolls,” which was relatable and unposed.
Iskra stated that the campaign was not Photoshopped, which was unusual at the time.
Since then, many brands have followed and dropped the Photoshop, becoming more inclusive and less posed in the model vibe.
Iskra’s Success
Iskra’s career is well-established, and she has not been short of work since Aerie did not renew her contract in 2020.
She is currently signed with three modelling agencies, has her own skincare brand, SaltAir, and is a Self-Funding Planner.
Iskra posts untouched content to her Instagram and advocates for more diversity in the modelling industry.
Although her parents were scared and intimidated by the career path their daughter chose, they trusted her to make sensible decisions.
Breaking Stereotypes
Iskra has been considered too small to be plus-sized and too big for a straight-sized model, and laughed at by a past agent who said she would “never” make it.
However, Iskra didn’t let any of that get in her way.
She stuck to her guns and succeeded in an industry where she didn’t fit the supposed ‘mould’ of a model.
Her success serves as an inspiration to many who feel like they don’t fit into the expected moulds of different industries.