Quotes from Iskra Lawrence

Every agency would mention my hips. I remember looking at the other models and thinking, 'I do not look like these girls.'

The first time I learned about Aerie, I was blown away by how beautiful and confident the models appeared in their ads - and more so that they were un-retouched.

I live by 'Everything in moderation.'

I'm very aware I have very young people following me - 11- and 12-year-olds. I want to do things that are aspirational, so I'm not going to pick a picture that's unattractive - even in the sense of lighting and angles - but I make sure that it's realistic. It is me, and it is my body. I wouldn't put anything out there that isn't real.

A brand is only going to want to be more inclusive if they feel like it's going to be good for business as well as making the consumer feel good - so we have to encourage people to do that. Consumers have to stand up and say, 'I have power: my pound or dollar is how I vote.'

Hateful words stand no chance against self-worth and a little of humor.

Clothing for larger sizes doesn't have to look frumpy and old; it should seamlessly integrate fashion - like Universal Standard.

For me, health starts from the mind, and it really does start from the inside out.

I remember doing a commercial one time where I stepped on a shard of glass, and I was hobbling around in swimwear. It was raining and in the commercial, when I saw it, I didn't look like I had a messed up foot.

I felt like the sample size was right, and my body was wrong. I basically ended up going into battle with my body, and that's a daily battle every time you look in the mirror. Every time you see an image of a successful model or someone who you look up to who doesn't look like you, you think you're not good enough.

My story is one of ups and downs. It's made up of tastes of success and a lot more rejection.

When we think about our bodies, we often think about the way they look as opposed to what they accomplish for us every day.

I never could have dreamt that I would be able to help girls feel better about themselves. But now I know I can. I want to do everything in my power to do more.

Be you. Everyone else is already taken.