Pregnant plus-size model Iskra Lawrence reveals how she turned runway backlash into empowering moment for expecting women
Plus size model Iskra Lawrence participated in Miami Swim Week while six months pregnant with her second baby with boyfriend Philip Payne.
After walking the runway for Cupshe, Iskra received an unexpected amount of backlash about her curvy appearance.
Body shammers took to Instagram to leave hateful comments about the English beauty's shape.
'It was shocking,' Iskra told Daily Mail.
'I get some backlash about my size - people get confused that you can model at not just the standard size - but the fact that I seemed to get more hate than normal because I was pregnant!'
![Plus size model Iskra Lawrence participated in Miami Swim Week while six months pregnant with her second baby with boyfriend Philip Payne.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/21/86894459-13589157-image-a-9_1720038002705.jpg)
Plus size model Iskra Lawrence participated in Miami Swim Week while six months pregnant with her second baby with boyfriend Philip Payne.
![After walking the runway for Cupshe, Iskra received an unexpected amount of backlash about her appearance.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/21/86894381-13589157-image-m-10_1720038342885.jpg)
After walking the runway for Cupshe, Iskra received an unexpected amount of backlash about her appearance.
The 33-year-old shot back at trolls by posting a carousel of pictures of herself on the runway accompanied by some of their hateful comments.
She captioned the post, 'I'm still in disbelief that in 2024 (and with everything going on in the world) that fat shaming a pregnant woman seemed like the best use of your time?'
Negative comments posted to her feed included things like 'A terrible example to young women.'
One user mocked the star writing 'Looks like triplets.'
While another wrote 'I'm all in favour of body positivity, but why do women always have to be almost naked to try and prove it? its undignified and crass.'
![She captioned her photo carousel, 'I'm still in disbelief that in 2024 (and with everything going on in the world) that fat shaming a pregnant woman seemed like the best use of your time?'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/21/86894369-13589157-image-a-7_1720037979835.jpg)
She captioned her photo carousel, 'I'm still in disbelief that in 2024 (and with everything going on in the world) that fat shaming a pregnant woman seemed like the best use of your time?'
Iskra clapped back by writing: 'Imagine body shamming a stranger on the internet that's 6 months pregnant walking in Miami Swim Week more proud of her body than ever after TTC.
'Comment your clap backs (I need a good laugh!).
'But I do want to thank these trolls for being so obsessed with me they made commenting on my big fat pregnant body their biggest priority so impressive you have nothing more important to do such a surprise.'
Iskra tells Daily Mail that the intent of her response was to spread the message of 'your body your choice' and more.
'This is one of the most beautiful seasons of your life, it took me a long time to get pregnant and for some people it's not even possible.
'The female body is a miracle, we need to celebrate it so I was just wanting to make something empowering from something that was meant to bring me down.
'I was like you are not ever tearing me down.'
!['This is one of the most beautiful seasons of your life, it took me a long time to get pregnant and for some people it's not even possible,' Iskra tells Daily Mail](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/22/86894457-13589157-image-a-15_1720042132765.jpg)
'This is one of the most beautiful seasons of your life, it took me a long time to get pregnant and for some people it's not even possible,' Iskra tells Daily Mail
Beyond making the most of the situation Iskra was addressing a larger issue.
'It was just a moment where I was like, you know what, this happened for a reason,' Iskra told Daily Mail.
'I feel like it started a conversation that unfortunately a lot of moms feel insecure or they feel shamed for what they choose to wear during pregnancy, so I feel like we had a very productive conversation by me calling out the trolls.'
Shocked that she would be shamed for wearing a swimsuit, she asked the question 'What else are you meant to wear to the beach?'
Contrary to what the haters may think, Iskra is proud of her body and doesn't feel the need to be all covered up.
'I feel confident when I'm in my swimwear, it's one of my favorite places to be on the beach, and I love Cupshe,' she said.
!['I feel like it started this conversation that unfortunately a lot of moms feel insecure or they feel shamed for what they choose to wear during pregnancy, so I feel like we had a very productive conversation by me calling out the trolls'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/22/86897743-13589157-image-a-17_1720043045230.jpg)
'I feel like it started this conversation that unfortunately a lot of moms feel insecure or they feel shamed for what they choose to wear during pregnancy, so I feel like we had a very productive conversation by me calling out the trolls'
'Cupshe is really passionate about brining amazing suits to women so they feel confident on the beach, and that's my mission too.'
Iskra discovered the label after their collaboration with plus-size model Tabria Majors.
'I saw that it was size inclusive and I've worn swimsuits for a very long time, basically two decades at this point.
'When I put a swimsuit on I immediately know if the fit is right and the quality is right, with Cupse the fit is right the quality is right, it's size inclusive and it looks good.
'I felt like they tick every box and the fact that its affordable, my audience wants affordable finds and so it worked across the board.'
An average swimsuit on Cupshe retails for approximately $30.
'And I love that it wasn't seasonal, so many brands only do swim in the summer, Cupshe gives you swim all year through and they give you coverups which is really needed to.
!['If I can wear what I already love and the brands that i already know and trust, like Cupshe, I haven't had to wear any maternity. I just size up and it will fit great'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/03/22/86894475-13589157-image-a-14_1720042121420.jpg)
'If I can wear what I already love and the brands that i already know and trust, like Cupshe, I haven't had to wear any maternity. I just size up and it will fit great'
Dressing comfortable and stylish during pregnancy in the summer months can be challenging for most women but doesn't seem to be an issue for Iskra.
She hasn't deviated much from her personal style.
'It's very similar, I feel like I haven't tried to transition. I see this as a period where I want to still be me.
'I'm more concerned about post partum because my post partum last time was during Covid, I stopped getting dressed and I stopped showering.
'I forgot to look after myself so my priority this time around is baby first but i'm not going to forget who I am and that I deserve some time to look after myself too.'
To pull off her chic maternity style Iskra just sizes up.
'If I can wear what I already love and the brands that i already know and trust, like Cupshe, I haven't had to wear any maternity. I just size up and it will fit great.'
She was recently spotted in Beverly Hills wearing a crochet sweater and shorts set from Cupshe that revealed her growing belly.
For good nursing attire she credits Seraphine as having amazing maternity options.