Refinery29 spoke to Lauren Punter, the winner of ASOS Curve’s recent model contest. She was selected out of thousands of other contestants, scoring a coveted Models 1 contract, ASOS Curve photo shoot, and gift certificates to shop the brand she’d be representing.
Punter says,
Hashtag and you shall receive.
We’ve heard so many famous-model genesis stories that involve being scouted while strutting down the street or plucked from obscurity while shopping at the mall. These all-too-common tales have taken a decidedly modern twist thanks to the proliferation of social media. Model scouts beware, you may soon go the way of the Polaroid camera — you’re being replaced with Instagram.
The latest social-media star turned bona fide It Girl is Lauren Punter, the winner of ASOS Curve’s recent model contest. Punter beat thousands of other hopefuls to score a coveted Models 1 contract, ASOS Curve photo shoot, and gift certificates to shop the brand she’d be representing. (We’d enter just for the gift cards.) We sat down with her to find out a little more about what’s behind her winning face, and on-brand curves. What we found out is she’s more or less basking in her newfound fame — and who wouldn’t be? Read on for the tale of this ANTM-watching sales assistant’s meteoric rise.
What made you decide to enter the ASOS Curve model contest?
«I entered the competition on the final day, so I don’t know if that brought me some kind of luck. I thought it was an amazing opportunity and — as I have followed Models 1 for some time now and seen the caliber of models that they represent — I thought with competitions such as this #makemeacurvemodel in association with ASOS, it has opened up more doors for girls like me and this will continue to do so.»
Why did you want to be a model?
«I have always watched Americas Next Top Model. I would always walk around my house pretending to be on a catwalk. I looked up to all those girls even though I was a different body shape, but I always thought it would be amazing to be a model and what a fantastic career it would be.»
What did you do before you were «discovered?»
«I was working as a sales assistant.»
Do you consider yourself plus-size? What do you think of the term «plus-size?» Is there another term you’d want to use?
«I prefer the term ‘curve’ and would consider myself a curve model.»
What are your feelings on the clothing that’s available in plus-size stores?
«Growing up, it wasn’t cool to be curvy, and the brands around at that time weren’t cool, either. But now, thankfully, times are changing with the help of Models 1 and ASOS. So, to be able to do this now is crazy.»
How would you describe your style?
«I like to wear a lot of black clothing; my look or style would be very minimal, but I like to wear a lot of accessories.»
Who inspires you?
«Beyoncé has always inspired me. She is such an individual, who has always been curvy and just embraced it… To me, she is a timeless, natural beauty who always looks great.»
