Iskra Lawrence claims she was dropped from her first modelling agency aged 15 for getting ‘too curvy’

Iskra Lawrence shared in a recent Daily Mail podcast that she was rejected by her first modelling agency at age 15 because they considered her ‘too curvy’.

Iskra, 34, recently told Bryony Gordon that being fired when she was young played a role in her developing an eating disorder as a teenager.

Isabelle Cornwall, a model from Kidderminster, England, rose to international fame in 2014 when she became the face of Aerie’s #AerieREAL campaign. This campaign was groundbreaking for featuring unretouched photos in lingerie advertising, making her a symbol of body positivity.

Iskra began modeling at age 12, but it took 13 years – until 2016 – for her to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week after first being noticed by a scout.

In an interview with The Life of Bryony podcast, she explained that the changes she experienced during puberty negatively impacted her career, as modeling agencies said her body shape didn’t match their standards.

Iskra explained that she first entered the ‘Search for a Supermodel’ competition at age 12. Although she didn’t win, she made it to the finals and was noticed by a scout.

A lot of people don’t understand that world tries to shape you from a young age, especially if you don’t fit what they expect.

As I went through puberty and my body changed, I no longer matched the image people expected me to have.

I was constantly criticized about my appearance – told I needed to lose weight, that I was too focused on popularity, or that my body shape wasn’t right.

I was so excited when I thought I’d made it as a model. But then I started to notice my body changing – I was becoming curvier – and I began to lose hope.

I was growing up, and it was something I couldn’t control. My body was changing, and I no longer resembled the typical runway models. Soon, the clothes I used to wear started to feel too small.

When I was around fifteen, my agency told me they didn’t think I had potential and suggested I look elsewhere, giving me a list of ten other agencies to try.

I applied to ten places, but I was turned down by all of them. Some even judged me based on things like my teeth, skin, and how I walked, giving me scores out of ten.

I didn’t realize I needed braces until a dentist told me my teeth were rated a 6 – I didn’t even know that was something people assessed!

Iskra, now a mom of two, has transitioned from modeling to starting her own business. She created the body care brand Saltair with the goal of helping women feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, rather than focusing on insecurities.

Iskra created the brand after struggling with her own difficult experiences. She shared how being rejected by modeling agencies as a teen led to years of unhealthy eating, worsened by the fashion industry’s focus on a narrow body type.

She expressed concern about the pressure put on young people to conform to certain standards, essentially being told how they should feel about themselves. She specifically mentioned the idea that their opportunities, like career paths, could be limited based on their physical appearance or size.

‘I remember looking at my body and thinking: I have got to fix this… I’ll stop eating.

‘I had an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, that was only because of the fashion industry.

I was clearly told I wouldn’t succeed unless I met certain requirements. I was determined to make it work, so I gave it my all.

‘I absolutely looked at food as either good and bad – I felt guilty for eating this and that.

I didn’t learn that from my family; it was simply the way things were in my community and during that era. It was unavoidable.

Iskra says she’s in a really good place right now, feeling happy and confident because her achievements aren’t tied to her body size anymore.

‘I am happier now’, Iskra revealed.

I’m really enjoying this chapter of my life. I feel full of love and thankfulness, and I’m embracing my body at its current size.

‘You can be more successful than you’ve ever been, more in love, and have it in a larger body.

‘My level of success is not dictated by my body at all.’

You can listen to the complete interview with Iskra Lawrence – where she talks about her experience being let go by Aerie after having a baby – by searching for ‘The Life of Bryony’ on your favorite podcast app.

2025-11-05 09:04

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