Robyn Lawley: ‘I’m a giant, loud and proud, and I will not shut up’

Top Australian model Robyn Lawley says she will not stop speaking up on issues she feels are important to her and the industry. Here’s why she’s so fired up.

Robyn Lawley will not be silenced.

The top Australian model says she will continue to share her opinions on issues that matter to her, despite being told to “keep my mouth shut”.

“They tell me to shut up all of the time,” Lawley told Confidential.

International supermodel Robyn Lawley for the Bella Unsigned Model Search. Picture: Stephanie Carden

“I am sure they will continue. I am a woman who stands up, I am not going to stand down any time soon. I am nearly six foot three, I am a giant, loud and proud. I have been brought up by strong women.”

Lawley, 31, is one of our top modelling exports. Based in New York, she measures 189cm in height and has been vocal on issues of diversity in the modelling industry.

In particular, she pushes for more realistic body shapes to be represented by major brands.

“Now is the time more than ever, we can’t back down, we really have to hold truth to our words,” she said. “I feel like we are seeing diversity like we’ve never seen it before.”

Lawley on the runway for Nicole Miller during New York Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

Lawley is vocal about issues of diversity in the fashion industry. Picture: David Caird

Asked if there was a moment change began in the industry, she said: “Maybe too many (models) were collapsing from starvation instead of working, or they weren’t making it to the end of the runway, they were using too many underaged models and they made a stand.

“Age is a huge part of the modelling industry, we forget that you age-out once you are 20.

“Once you are 20, goodbye from the runways.”

Lawley is one of the judges of this year’s Bella Unsigned Model Search, a national competition aimed at uncovering new and diverse talent as a part of Melbourne Fashion Week.

Founded by Bella Model Management’s Chelsea Bonner, the competition is open to “every human”.

“A model is meant to represent fashion,” Lawley said. “We have made this model idea of beauty but at the end of the day, you are just representing fashion to sell to someone. Customers need to be represented. I am six foot two, bordering on six foot three, I don’t really want a five foot nothing person modelling my fashion. I want a six foot five chick.”

The Sports Illustrated star added: “Times change and if we follow trends we can’t keep up with them.

“I feel like we have got to start representing what we actually see on the streets.

“That is why all of the big brands like Gucci and Chanel are starting to do it, it is because demand is there.”