Meet Lauren-Nicole Coppin-Campbell. She started her first blog at 12 years old, made sage use of the school summer holidays to start her first business at 15, and became contributing curve editor at Cosmopolitan magazine at 23.
Lauren’s meteoric rise hasn’t been by chance – it’s the result of a determination and self-belief that (by her own admission), hasn’t always come easy and the example and support of a loving line of matriarchs.
Here’s Lauren’s story.
Role Models
(& Self-Acceptance)
with Lauren-Nicole
Coppin-Campbell
Who is Lauren-Nicole Coppin-Campbell?
I’m a digital content creator, plus-size model, contributing curve editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine and the editor-in-chief and founder of digital magazine, Fashion Killer.
Tell us how your journey into the world of fashion began. From what we know already, it started at a very young age!
From a young age I always enjoyed writing and became fascinated with celebrity culture and fashion at the age of 13 which led to my first blog, Teen Gossip, being created. By 15, I had lost interest in celebrity culture but still really loved fashion and was also following Tavi Gevinson and how she was taking over Fashion Week. Seeing a young girl showing up to Fashion Week during a time when influencers weren’t what they are now really inspired me. I wanted to be Tavi and have my own career in the fashion industry, which made starting a fashion blog a great option.
So, off the back of these feelings and a little inspiration from Tavi Gevinson, you started Fashion Killer at 15. That’s quite the achievement…
I really just wanted to talk about fashion, without annoying anyone or receiving eyeballs from peers. Whether it was what a celebrity wore on the red carpet or what I bought from Topshop that weekend, I needed a space to talk about it. One of my mentors suggested I start creating a portfolio if I was serious about getting into journalism, so during the school summer holidays, I started Fashion Killer.
How has Fashion Killer developed since its inception?
Tremendously. It started out, very much a personal blog, and now has become more of a digital magazine with stories and articles written by myself and my incredible writers.
I’m a digital content creator, plus-size model, contributing curve editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine and the editor-in-chief and founder of digital magazine, Fashion Killer.
Tell us how your journey into the world of fashion began. From what we know already, it started at a very young age!
From a young age I always enjoyed writing and became fascinated with celebrity culture and fashion at the age of 13 which led to my first blog, Teen Gossip, being created. By 15, I had lost interest in celebrity culture but still really loved fashion and was also following Tavi Gevinson and how she was taking over Fashion Week. Seeing a young girl showing up to Fashion Week during a time when influencers weren’t what they are now really inspired me. I wanted to be Tavi and have my own career in the fashion industry, which made starting a fashion blog a great option.
So, off the back of these feelings and a little inspiration from Tavi Gevinson, you started Fashion Killer at 15. That’s quite the achievement…
I really just wanted to talk about fashion, without annoying anyone or receiving eyeballs from peers. Whether it was what a celebrity wore on the red carpet or what I bought from Topshop that weekend, I needed a space to talk about it. One of my mentors suggested I start creating a portfolio if I was serious about getting into journalism, so during the school summer holidays, I started Fashion Killer.
How has Fashion Killer developed since its inception?
Tremendously. It started out, very much a personal blog, and now has become more of a digital magazine with stories and articles written by myself and my incredible writers.
And you progressed to modelling. Why did you decide to pursue modelling?
It was kind of a fluke. Naturally, I started to create content on Instagram, and the brand manager of an independent plus-size brand started following me. I didn’t think anything of this but after a few conversations back and forth, she asked if I’d like to be a brand ambassador and with that came the opportunity to model their spring/summer and debut swimwear collection. I said yes, and that was the beginning of my modelling career. I thought I’d only ever model for them, that turned out not to be the case.
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences as a curve model?
It’s been a very interesting experience. Personally, it’s been both liberating and mentally exhausting. On one hand, my body has been celebrated and, in some ways, I have been validated for my beauty - which for a young girl who suffered with body image issues has been empowering. Yet on the flip side, it’s been an exhausting game, between the constant rejection, comparing yourself to models who are killing the game and often feeling like you aren’t good enough. It’s a struggle. I’d say I’ve been a slow burner in this industry, which sometimes makes me question what I’m doing it for. But then I’ll receive a message from someone about how seeing my image has boosted their confidence or reassured them on their journey of body confidence, and it feels like I’ve achieved the world. Ultimately, I’m thankful for all the experiences, the good and the bad.
Can you tell you us a bit about your personal path to self-love? You’ve spoken in the past about your own struggles with body dysmorphia.
It’s been a difficult journey. I developed a lot quicker than all my peers, so, I often felt like the odd one out. The one who was shoulders above everyone, who had more hips, or more chest. It made me feel very uncomfortable. As I got older and witnessed more conversations about bodies in general, but also mine, I developed really poor body image issues. This is something that I still deal with today. Unfortunately, body dysmorphia doesn’t just leave you once you sign a modelling contract. But the pivotal moment for me was curating my ‘following’ list and becoming aware of the plus-size, fat acceptance community. At the age of 18, I told myself I was going to treat myself with more empathy and care. I’ve had my moments of relapse, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and how much further I have to go.
What does the phrase ‘role model’ mean to you?
For me, a 'role model' means someone whose values, traits, journey or life choices I respect and look up to. I’ve had many role models in my life; whether it’s been because of how compassionate and caring someone is or how goal-oriented and successful they are. I think everyone around us can be role models.
It was kind of a fluke. Naturally, I started to create content on Instagram, and the brand manager of an independent plus-size brand started following me. I didn’t think anything of this but after a few conversations back and forth, she asked if I’d like to be a brand ambassador and with that came the opportunity to model their spring/summer and debut swimwear collection. I said yes, and that was the beginning of my modelling career. I thought I’d only ever model for them, that turned out not to be the case.
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences as a curve model?
It’s been a very interesting experience. Personally, it’s been both liberating and mentally exhausting. On one hand, my body has been celebrated and, in some ways, I have been validated for my beauty - which for a young girl who suffered with body image issues has been empowering. Yet on the flip side, it’s been an exhausting game, between the constant rejection, comparing yourself to models who are killing the game and often feeling like you aren’t good enough. It’s a struggle. I’d say I’ve been a slow burner in this industry, which sometimes makes me question what I’m doing it for. But then I’ll receive a message from someone about how seeing my image has boosted their confidence or reassured them on their journey of body confidence, and it feels like I’ve achieved the world. Ultimately, I’m thankful for all the experiences, the good and the bad.
Can you tell you us a bit about your personal path to self-love? You’ve spoken in the past about your own struggles with body dysmorphia.
It’s been a difficult journey. I developed a lot quicker than all my peers, so, I often felt like the odd one out. The one who was shoulders above everyone, who had more hips, or more chest. It made me feel very uncomfortable. As I got older and witnessed more conversations about bodies in general, but also mine, I developed really poor body image issues. This is something that I still deal with today. Unfortunately, body dysmorphia doesn’t just leave you once you sign a modelling contract. But the pivotal moment for me was curating my ‘following’ list and becoming aware of the plus-size, fat acceptance community. At the age of 18, I told myself I was going to treat myself with more empathy and care. I’ve had my moments of relapse, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and how much further I have to go.
What does the phrase ‘role model’ mean to you?
For me, a 'role model' means someone whose values, traits, journey or life choices I respect and look up to. I’ve had many role models in my life; whether it’s been because of how compassionate and caring someone is or how goal-oriented and successful they are. I think everyone around us can be role models.
Your online spaces, particularly your Instagram account, seem to have become spaces for self-love and body positivity. How did this evolve?
I’m not sure it’s necessarily a space for self-love and body positivity, but more a space of authenticity and vulnerability. I can’t and don’t tell people I feel, or they should feel happy and beautiful every day, it would be a lie. But what I would say the space online I’ve created is a haven that allows for uncomfortable conversation, honesty and realness. Our journeys of self-acceptance aren’t linear, we all have our moments, and that’s the story I want to tell. Whether that makes my page a space of self-love and body-positivity, so be it, but I wouldn’t class it as that.
Your platforms have really established you as a force in the body positivity, fashion and style conversations. What does being a role model in this respect, particularly to your digital community, mean to you?
It’s an honour. I’m a 23-year-old woman who started a blog at 15 so she could have a place to talk about the things she bought at Primark and Topshop. Today, I’m a 23-year-old woman who works for Cosmopolitan Magazine, models and creates content for some of the biggest retailers, and receives messages about how my visibility has made someone feel seen. I constantly have to pinch myself…It’s an absolute honour.
How would you say you’ve personally embraced fashion and styling as a tool of empowerment?
Fashion has become my way of self-expression. It’s the way I convey how I feel, it’s how I show up in the world.
Any advice for others on how to dress to feel their best?
Forget the trends. Forget what others are wearing. You should only buy and wear clothes that make you feel good. If you put something on and it doesn’t make you smile, feel confident or sexy, it’s not for you. NEXT!
I’m not sure it’s necessarily a space for self-love and body positivity, but more a space of authenticity and vulnerability. I can’t and don’t tell people I feel, or they should feel happy and beautiful every day, it would be a lie. But what I would say the space online I’ve created is a haven that allows for uncomfortable conversation, honesty and realness. Our journeys of self-acceptance aren’t linear, we all have our moments, and that’s the story I want to tell. Whether that makes my page a space of self-love and body-positivity, so be it, but I wouldn’t class it as that.
Your platforms have really established you as a force in the body positivity, fashion and style conversations. What does being a role model in this respect, particularly to your digital community, mean to you?
It’s an honour. I’m a 23-year-old woman who started a blog at 15 so she could have a place to talk about the things she bought at Primark and Topshop. Today, I’m a 23-year-old woman who works for Cosmopolitan Magazine, models and creates content for some of the biggest retailers, and receives messages about how my visibility has made someone feel seen. I constantly have to pinch myself…It’s an absolute honour.
How would you say you’ve personally embraced fashion and styling as a tool of empowerment?
Fashion has become my way of self-expression. It’s the way I convey how I feel, it’s how I show up in the world.
Any advice for others on how to dress to feel their best?
Forget the trends. Forget what others are wearing. You should only buy and wear clothes that make you feel good. If you put something on and it doesn’t make you smile, feel confident or sexy, it’s not for you. NEXT!
What advice would you give to anyone who is struggling with their body image or ability to love themselves?
Be patient. Be gentle. Treat yourself the way you treat your best friend. If you wouldn’t pick apart her appearance, don’t pick apart yours. And a major one for me, unfollow accounts that make you question your worth or your beauty. If it’s hindering the way you think about yourself, it’s time to hit that unfollow button.
Last year you became contributing curve editor at Cosmopolitan (congratulations!). How did this come about? And what do you hope to achieve in the role?
Thank you! I’m still in awe. Just before the lockdown, I shot Cosmopolitan’s first fashion spread that only consisted of plus-size women. It was an absolute honour to model with some of the most fabulous and beautiful women in the industry. A few months later I was sent an email about an opportunity to work for Cosmopolitan and here we are today. I’m not quite sure how it all happened, it honestly feels like a dream, but I’m grateful. My only hope is that someone will click onto Cosmopolitan online and feel seen and understood. They will see articles that don’t make them question their worth, but instead inspires them to step out of their comfort zone and honour themselves. If I can do that with one article, my job is done.
Who has inspired you on your journey, both professional and personal?
Of course, the women in my family. My mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins have all smashed glass ceilings and broken barriers and that truly inspires me. To know I come from a lineage of beautiful, strong women who aren’t afraid to stand in their truth is incredible. I’m also inspired by women like Nadia Aboulhosn, Tess Holliday, Gabi Gregg, Felicity Hayward, Ashley Graham, Leslie Sidora, Tabria Majors…individually they’ve all made a huge impact in the industry, and their power leaves me in awe.
Which of your role models will you be buying a token of appreciation for this Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day?
My mother. I can only hope that one day, I will be half as strong and gracious as she is. Her resilience, strength, courage and bravery inspires me. Throughout my childhood, and even through this pandemic, she’s always stood tall and despite what is thrown at her, she continues to ride the wave. So, this Mother’s Day I’ll be honouring everything she is and everything she’s done for me and those around her.
Be patient. Be gentle. Treat yourself the way you treat your best friend. If you wouldn’t pick apart her appearance, don’t pick apart yours. And a major one for me, unfollow accounts that make you question your worth or your beauty. If it’s hindering the way you think about yourself, it’s time to hit that unfollow button.
Last year you became contributing curve editor at Cosmopolitan (congratulations!). How did this come about? And what do you hope to achieve in the role?
Thank you! I’m still in awe. Just before the lockdown, I shot Cosmopolitan’s first fashion spread that only consisted of plus-size women. It was an absolute honour to model with some of the most fabulous and beautiful women in the industry. A few months later I was sent an email about an opportunity to work for Cosmopolitan and here we are today. I’m not quite sure how it all happened, it honestly feels like a dream, but I’m grateful. My only hope is that someone will click onto Cosmopolitan online and feel seen and understood. They will see articles that don’t make them question their worth, but instead inspires them to step out of their comfort zone and honour themselves. If I can do that with one article, my job is done.
Who has inspired you on your journey, both professional and personal?
Of course, the women in my family. My mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins have all smashed glass ceilings and broken barriers and that truly inspires me. To know I come from a lineage of beautiful, strong women who aren’t afraid to stand in their truth is incredible. I’m also inspired by women like Nadia Aboulhosn, Tess Holliday, Gabi Gregg, Felicity Hayward, Ashley Graham, Leslie Sidora, Tabria Majors…individually they’ve all made a huge impact in the industry, and their power leaves me in awe.
Which of your role models will you be buying a token of appreciation for this Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day?
My mother. I can only hope that one day, I will be half as strong and gracious as she is. Her resilience, strength, courage and bravery inspires me. Throughout my childhood, and even through this pandemic, she’s always stood tall and despite what is thrown at her, she continues to ride the wave. So, this Mother’s Day I’ll be honouring everything she is and everything she’s done for me and those around her.