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ASOS and U.K. agency Models 1 made Lauren Punter (@laurenmaypunter) a Curve model, selecting the 20-year-old as the winner of their Instagram contest, #MakeMeACurveModel. Selected from thousands of entrants — The Daily Mail previously reported more than 2,000 ‘grammers submitted selfies in the span of 10 days — a still-surprised Punter told Vogue U.K., “I entered the competition on the final day and I have never done anything like this or entered a competition like this before.” (To wit: She posted a pic of an ASOS tote and flowers, with the caption, “Won something for once in my life #LOL #curve #curveygirls #curvemodels amazing day!!”)
She continued, “I feel so proud and grateful to be representing plus-size models and women alike. 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.” Per the rules, ASOS and Models 1 judged Punter and her challengers based on their skin, bone structure and jawline, and how well they photographed; the photos couldn’t be full-body shots. Punter bagged a contract with Models 1's Curve division, an ASOS photo shoot, and £500 ($840) in ASOS vouchers.
Models 1 believes that "beauty comes in different sizes,” and noted: “The prospect of walking into a model agency can be daunting and Models 1 wanted to open their doors to a wider audience by [utilizing] the power of social media and assuaging those initial nerves.” And, the agency might be on to something: Marc by Marc Jacobs released a first look at its fall campaign on Monday, also cast through Instagram (#CastMeMarc). Scouting via social media also seems significantly more hygienic than trolling the JFK wilds for fresh faces returning home from family vacations to the Bahamas. (Vogue U.K.)
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