Plus-Size Model Excited to Inspire Fashion’s Next Generation

Courtesy Wilhelmina Models

Aussie Robyn Lawley has a lingerie campaign, covered Vogue Italia last year and is one of the newest faces of Ralph Lauren. She also happens to be a size 10 (update: actually a 12/14 in the U.S.), considered a plus size in today’s fashion world.

“I had to go through my own self-love, self-hate to get to where I am,” the 23-year-old tells PEOPLE. “It took me years to watch other plus-size models be so confident with themselves. But then I realized that I could use my voice to be a positive role model for girls. When I found plus-size modeling, it was such a relief to be just me.”

At age 16, Lawley entered a modeling competition, eventually signing with an agency at 19. Now, she’s a Wilhelmina model, traveling the globe to shoot ads with some of fashion’s biggest names.

“It feels really good,” she says of her recent success. “I feel it’s been a really long time coming, but it feels like it was meant to happen now.”

In her earlier days, Lawley admits she was pressured to lose weight. “I was told I’d be a huge success,” she says. “I was told to eat less, exercise more. But the thing with my body is that I’m big-boned; I have broad shoulders, I’m really tall, have big hips — it’s just not my body. And I love food! I don’t want to give it up for something that would make me unhappy.”

Indeed; the model runs a mouth-watering food blog, full of photos of her kitchen creations and on-set snacks. “It’s a nice hobby; it challenges me and I get to do my food photography, which I love doing,” she shares.

Inspired by “strong, not-too-skinny” models of the 1990s, like Linda Evangelista, Lawley hopes she can be a source of inspiration for others, as well. “I do try to respond to comments I receive on Facebook,” she says. “Some girls struggle with confidence, so it’s nice to be able to talk to them.”

She’s excited to have her body representing the “real woman,” too. “When I signed on as a plus-size model my friends and family were shocked because I’m a normal girl,” she says. “My friends are my size. They see their bodies in mine, so it gives them hope. They can see me in a lingerie ad and say, ‘I want to buy that lingerie, I’ll look amazing.’ If people can relate to me, it’s a good thing.”

And if modeling doesn’t work out, Lawley can always fall back on a second career in the food business.

“I hope I’m one of those people that if it doesn’t keep getting better, I will switch careers,” she says. “I can see myself really enjoying opening restaurants, doing cooking shows.”

But for now, she’s a model on a mission. “I genuinely want companies to take notice and start being more realistic about who their customer really is,” she adds. “I hope to keep breaking down those barriers.” Hear more from Lawley in an upcoming issue of PEOPLE.

–Kate Hogan

SEE STARS WORK FIERCE FASHION LOOKS IN ‘LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?’

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Jennifer Aniston uses body double for lingerie shots in upcoming film ‘We’re …

Jennifer Aniston is no stranger to being overexposed in the media, but the former “Friends” star still has a pretty good sense of modesty when it comes to the movie set.

While on-set during shooting for the upcoming “We’re the Millers” in North Carolina, the 43-year-old actress kept her clothes mostly on during a scene in which her character runs out of a smoking building.

In her place, the veteran actress employed a body double who looked to be half her age – though no doubt on par with Aniston’s impressive physique.

Several photos from the set reveal Aniston rehearsing lines with her shirt open and bra showing.

The ‘We’re the Millers’ crew decided to set aside the A-listers while dangerous stunts were being performed. The crew was seen smashing a beautiful new Porsche sports car as well as shooting guns with a half naked women running around. (infuspa-10/Chris Watts/INFphoto.com)

The actress has spoken out before about working hard to keep in shape – a regimen that includes 40 minutes of cardio every day, sometimes supplemented with yoga or Pilates, she told the March issue of InStyle.

“I take eight-pound weights with me whenever I’m staying in a hotel,” she told the magazine. “It’s always good to do arm exercises when you’re watching television or talking on the phone.

“I also love to stretch before I go to bed, and usually throw in a couple of sit-ups.”

The ‘We’re the Millers’ crew got a glimpse, but not of Jennifer Aniston. A body double was used during dangerous stunts to protect the star from possible danger. (infuspa-10/Chris Watts/INFphoto.com)

Aniston also flashed the tiniest of glimpses at what looked to be her engagement ring from fiance Justin Theroux during filming.

The famously private star wisely turned the diamond inward and away from cameras, however.

On August 10, Theroux, 41, popped the question while the two were out dining together at Blue Hill restaurant in Greenwich Village.

“Everyone is really excited for them,” a source close to the couple told People magazine. “It’s amazing to see how happy Justin makes Jen, and everyone was always hoping that he would propose.”

jchen@nydailynews.com

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