The faces of Lorde Inc

Pop quiz interviews with the faces of the street casting and diversity positive modelling agency.

Interview by  Makeba H.

Karim

Where are you from?

I’m from Spain

What brings you to London?

Studies, I am going to study Fine Art at CSM and right now I’m doing that as well.

If you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be?

I would say relaxed, chilled and also creative.

Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

Oh my god I have so many! If I had to choose one it would be Sadie Pinn because she is a great artist and singer. She’s from London as well and she makes really great music that inspires me throughout the day.

What are you excited about at the moment?

I really want to go to Central St Martins. I feel that the atmosphere is going to be amazing, since I’m going to be with young people that share the same interests as I do.

What does fashion mean to you?

I see it as people creating pieces from fabric and expressing themselves. Since everyone is different, and experience different things, their creations are all different.

What changes do you believe that the fashion industry can make to better accommodate people of colour?

I think that what Lorde Agency is doing is amazing and I think that there should be more agencies like it.

How do you take time out to rest your mind, body and soul?

I don’t really do anything to relax at the moment so for me, it would be sleeping.

What would you say your superpower was and why?

I think I’m really easy going.

If you could help the world in one way, what would you do?

It’s 2016 and in some countries, people still don’t have clean water. If I had the opportunity I would help really poor people who struggle for such basic things.

Akuc

Where are you from?

I am a Londoner, but I am of South Sudanese heritage

If you had to describeyourself in three words what would they be?

Three words?Queen, explorer and optimist.

Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

My favourite person would be my mom. She is the strongest person I know. She is giving and compassionate, and I think she is an excellent role model.

What are you excited about at the moment?

Today, I came out my house – it was sunny. I thought to myself Yes so I guess I am excited about life. Life is good!

Who inspired you to become a model?

I likeAlek Wek. She’s from the same country. She was one of the first dark skinned models to make it mainstream so I think she’s come from a place of self-love and self-acceptance.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion means creativity. It’s exploring your style, exploring who you are through clothes.

What changes do you believe that the fashion industry can make to better accommodate people of colour?

I think letting people of colour know that there are places for them in this industry by them on the catwalk and having them on front covers; also, through promoting the idea of diversity and allowing and different types of women and men to be seen as well.

How do you take time out to rest your mind, body and soul?

Cycling and healthy eating.

What would you say your superpower was and why?

I think being an optimist – I don’t let bad things affect my spirit. That’s what I want to t showpeople. I want to teach them to stay optimistic.

If you could help the world in one way, what would you do?

I think for me it would be spreading compassion. We are all human. We are all the same. I think when we approach people, we should do it out of love and compassion. That’s very important to me.

Richard

Where are you from?

I am from London, and of Nigerian decent.

If you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Creative, innovative and introverted.

Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

My favourite person is Jesus, he’s done a lot.

What are you excited about at the moment?

I am excited about making music.

What does fashion mean to you?

I see fashion as trends and colour forecasts, and schedules.

What changes do you believe that the fashion industry can make to better accommodate people of colour?

In one word, I would say representation. The influences for the collections are diverse, open and creative, but then it’s not represented in the models. It’s a contradiction.

How do you take time out to rest your mind, body and soul?

I make music and read. Listening to R&B and reading philosophical books are my favourite.

What would you say your superpower was and why?

The fact that I am intuitive.

If you could help the world in one way, what would you do?

I would teach people how to be more themselves. People seem to be going along with what seems to be acceptable all the time – its better to just be you.

Giselle

Where are you from?

I’m from Luton

If you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be?

I would describe myself as growing, fearless and powerful.

Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

The person that comes to mind is Omahyra Mota who is my favourite model. She owns every photo-shoot that she does.

What are you excited about at the moment?

I recently stopped doing a tailoring course, and quit school. I’m just excited to live my life, to go and explore the world, to grow and find out more about myself.

What does fashion mean to you?

Freedom to express yourself without boundaries.

What changes do you believe that the fashion industry can make, to better accommodate people of colour?

I think reaching out to agencies like Lorde models. Street castings as well, especially for models of colour who won’t usually go to an agency, as they think that agencies don’t represent them enough.

How do you take time out to rest your mind, body and soul?

I like to think a lot. To treat myself. Sitting back and just existing is enough.

What would you say your superpower was and why?

I think my fearless nature and self-acceptance is my superpower.

If you could help the world in one way, what would you do?

I wouldeducate children, so that they won’t grow up learning bad habits.

Sunyun

Where are you from?

I am from Taipei, Taiwan

What brings you to London?

First my studying and then music as well. I like electronic music.

If you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Emotional, pink, Intense.

Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

Well if Cats on Instagram count, whenever I see them they make me really happy.

What are you excited about at the moment?

I am happy because I have started making beats on my own.

What does fashion mean to you?

It’s not about trends to me, It’s about finding ways to express yourself.

What changes do you believe that the fashion industry can make to better accommodate people of colour?

What I’ve realise is that western people have a different idea on how to style Asian people like me, and sometimes it’s a bit stereotypical. I guess if people of colour or of different backgrounds are behind the scenes, then you’d get more variation instead of stereotypes.

How do you take time out to rest your mind, body and soul?

At the moment I like to watch Korean drama, I don’t really understand what they are talking about but the background music is really interesting and that kind of turns my mind off.

What would you say your superpower was and why?

A-I think my sensitivity and the fact that I think a lot, are my superpowers. It benefits my creativity and I get a lot of inspiration from it.

If you could help the world in one way, what would you do?

I would like to stop climate change and poverty. I would also like to help people change the mindset they have where everything is fuelled by money. There are a lot of problems between countries fuelled by money.