Today Grunge News interviews for you the famous model Lola González Fernández ! You will discover here all the details of the model's life, ...
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Her Instagram : @lolagfdez
Lola González Fernández for Micessuti
Can you introduce yourself ?
Hi! My name is Lola González Fernández and I'm a Spanish model and Pharmacy student currently living in my hometown in the Canary Islands
How did you start modelling ?
That's really tricky, because it isn't something that I ever considered even possible growing up. I was kind of an outcast in middle school and part of high school and. I got bullied for many years mainly during a time when I had to use an orthopaedic corset for my scoliosis. I also struggled with various eating disorders growing up because I've never been naturally skinny. I believe that having to go through all those situations gave me a different type of drive and what started as a way to show. those who hurt me that they could not bring me down ended up inspiring a true passion for self-love and showing others that might be in a similar situation that there's always a way out.
What do you need to learn to become a model ?
As with any career you need to learn some technicalities such as how to pose or how to walk if you are going to do runaway, but in my own opinion the most important thing is to be self-aware. You need to know who you are, your worth and how to stand your ground. Depending on your body type there are going to be some companies that won't want to work with you (and that goes to every single shape and size) and that's something that I learnt right away, but as long as you are taking care of yourself and you are truly confident in your own skin you should never let that define your worth.
How did you become a model at Talent Model Management / Black Limba ?
For me, it really came down to social media. I was first contacted by the agency and, if I'm honest, I couldn't believe that something like this was happening to me. As for the brands I would just tag the brands that I was wearing on my post and I eventually started to get noticed and collaborate with them. It was a slow process and I consider myself really lucky.
Lola González Fernández for Black Limba
How do you manage your personal and professional life ?
I'm really just starting out as model so I haven't really worked long enough to tell how. Much would it affect me, but I'm sure that if I'm lucky enough to start booking some more it would be a handful to find free time between studying and working. I'm an introvert so I really enjoy spending time alone, with my dog or with one or two good friends rather tan going out or anything crazy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this job ?
Some of the advantages are the excitement of doing something different every time, constantly meeting new people from different countries and backgrounds and the freedom to choose jobs that fit within the already packed Schedule of a student. On the other hand, it can really affect your self-image since everything ends up revolving about how you look and that can really weigh some people down.
How do you see the fashion world evolving in the coming years ?
I believe that I would continue to evolve towards a more inclusive and positive industry. We have seen many changes in the past years with brands introducing new types of model that wouldn't fit the traditional standard (such as myself) and even though it's still far from enough and there are many changes that need to be done I hope that more and more brands start to follow in these footsteps towards a new standard where everyone feels represented.
What do you think of the new channels, such as Instagram, through which models can be spotted ?
As I previously said, I was spotted on Instagram, so I am nothing but grateful for the opportunity that this platform gave me. At the end of the day, social media is controlled by those who use it and there are many accounts that promote very unrealistic and edited standards of beauty, but we also have to give credit to social media for being a platform for amazing people that show how confident and empowered you can feel regardless of your race, size, skin tone or any other aspect. Fort eh first time in history we have a place where no matter how you look you can find someone that looks like you and loves it.
Do you think protective masks will become a real trend ?
I hope that people don't forget that the purpose of a mask is to protect yourself and those around, it's not an accessory, it's a form of protective wear. Having a scientific background, I can't help but to disassociate something like a mask from fashion, but there's a big chance that they'll become a trend since in many Asian countries they already are because of the air pollution. I'm all in with anything that would make more people use them since it's necessary right now, but I don't want them to be trivialised since their purpose is to save lives.
How do you choose your outfits to stay trendy? Do you have to buy the latest collections all the time ?
Truthfully, I don't. I don't really follow trends or change my guard robe every year whatsoever. I really just look for what looks good on my body and makes me feel comfortable and confident, regardless of what others are wearing. My style is very simple, classic and minimalistic so I'm able to keep wearing the same items until they break or don't fit. I'm also trying to be mindful of how wasteful fashion can be, so I like to invest in staple pieces that won't go out of style as easily.
The hot days are approaching, could you recommend a trendy outfit for the summer ?
As I said there isn't that much to my style. Here in Tenerife it gets really hot during the summer so my go to summer outfits are either shorts with a crop top and sneakers or a nice short, flowy dress with a pair of sandals (but be aware of the wind).
Lola González Fernández for Zaful
Ready-to-wear brands have long advocated only one type of female body, that of the slim woman. Now we are seeing more and more feminine models with curves. Do you think that the most influential brands such as DIOR, Channel, ... will follow these new social codes ? Why do you think so ?
Absolutely! I'm big advocate for body positivity and having everyone represented in the fashion industry. Some may say that I don't know what I'm talking about, since the mainstream beauty standard right now is relatively close to my body type, but when I was growing up all I saw were really
thin women portrait as beautiful and that was hard as I was on the heavier side as a child. Even now I have less opportunities since some say that I'm too muscular, too big or too curvy, but a few years ago I wouldn't have had any chance at all to make it in this industry. Things are finally changing.
Who or what company, in your opinion, best represents the fashion industry and why ?
It's impossible to name a company, since the fashion industry has many sides. There are still brands set in the traditional mindset and others that are taking a step on a movement to empower and make everyone feel validated and beautiful. Until they have settled on a common mindset it won't be a brand that paints a clear picture of the fashion industry as a whole.
What advice would you give to a person who would like to start modelling either on a social network or for a company?
Just go for it! Be confident and sure that you are enough regardless and know that even if it's obviously more difficult for some of us, there ́s a place for everyone in the industry, just fight for what you want. Be kind to everyone you fin on your way and, if you make it to the top, don't let it get to your head and help others to get to where you are (don't forget how hard it was to get there in the first place). So be kind, be true to yourself and work hard. That's the best piece of advice that I can give anyone.
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