Bruna Lapinskas
By Diego Lorenzo Jose
This editorial centres around sustainability and features one of my favourite vegan curve models Bruna Lapinskas. I chose to feature mainly local brands for this story as I love seeing the Australian market adapt to feature a more diverse range in sizing. I hope you enjoy the story and finding out a little more about this beautiful model that’s helped carve a much needed change in the curve market.
AJE coat, Sarah & Sebastian earrings and ring
Tell me 3 things that people wouldn’t expect to know about you?
Bruna: My nationality! I was born and raised in Brazil. They can tell I have an accent but they can’t figure it out straight away.
People also seem to get surprised when I say that I’m vegan and I also get a lot of curiosity about why I decided to go Vegan and what I eat through my day. They always make fun of me saying “How can a Brazilian can be Vegan?” … I think because they’re thinking of Brazilian Barbecue. I tell them that there’s always a way and I’ve been enjoying my vegan lifestyle since. My family is also very supportive and we’ve even tried a few vegan recipes when I visited last year.
The last thing that seems to surprise people is that I’m a full time model but I also get quite a bit of attention when I say that I tap danced for over 10 years. I grew up dancing back in Brazil and was actually tap dancing at a highly competitive level. Definitely need to go back to it. It’s a great cardio session. Haha!
Paco Rabanne bodysuit available at Parlour X, Blanca blazer, Zette boots available at Vegan Style, Bulgari rings and earrings
I’d like to know more about how you got your start in modelling when you were 15 in Brazil? I’ve read that you found it quite tricky when you were a teenager to break into the industry because you lived in the countryside and the jobs available in Sao Paulo were to model for mature brands... Did you find that that impacted how you viewed yourself?
Bruna: I started modelling at about 9 or 10 years old when I won 3rd place in a modelling competition and was told I had a “beautiful face”. People never said anything about seeing me as a fashion model in fact I was told I would be beauty model or nothing.
After coming third place I ended up joining my first modelling agency when I was 15. The agency was 50 minutes away from my city and because I was young, the safest way I could get there was with my mom driving me. What I found with my agency was that most of the jobs that would come through were unpaid and I did some for the experience but found it hard to justify leaving my city to pursue it. To add to that I was also a teenage girl with boobs and curves and I just never really felt seen or represented.
After that initial experience I ended up signing with a different agency but still had a similar experience… it was hard to get work and the work that came through was unpaid and because I was a bit older the second time around, probably 18 I started modelling for brands geared towards a more mature market.
There’s nothing wrong with modelling for a different age group, but what used to make me upset was that I was never able to model for or see advertisements of people with my body type wearing clothes for my age.
Christopher Esber dress, vintage Givenchy necklace available at Constantina Vintage, Sarah & Sebastian earrings
Going back to the previous question If it did impact how you viewed yourself how did you overcame that space and embraced yourself and your curves?
Bruna: I’ve actually always liked to get photos taken. Either by myself or with some friends. When I was in university, I got asked to be in an advertising campaign for my university’s enrolling period and it was my first experience seeing myself across billboard, buses, flyers, etc. It was so funny and exciting. I loved my family and friends' reaction when they saw it.
After that experience, I moved to Australia to study English and took a break from trying to get into modelling. Fast forward two years I was approached by Juliana from Indaia Swim to be one of her models for her bikini brand. It took me a while to absorb that and accept the offer because I knew I would be doing something that I haven’t done in ages plus wearing a bikini. OMG!
I didn’t know how to pose or move into positions that would enhance my body and my curves. So I decided to just be myself at that moment. Relaxing at the beach as I always do, laughing and just feeling the moment. The girls and Le Birck, the photographer, were guiding and making me feel super comfortable.
Once those photos came out, I couldn't stop smiling looking at the final shots. I just loved everything about it and I didn’t care at all about my tummy or my curves popping out. This was me in my very happy self.
From that moment I knew that I was very happy with how I looked. Through the years I’ve been fighting with my weight to look smaller, but the answer was right there I just had to be my happy self.
As long as I am healthy, eating well and practising exercises, I will be comfortable with the body I have.
Later on, I met this incredible photographer and now my best friend, Rachel Webb and I have to credit her for getting me back into modelling! It was after spending a few days in Bali shooting for her brand “Vagary the Label” that I can say I started pursuing modelling again wholeheartedly.
Christopher Esber dress, vintage Givenchy necklace available at Constantina Vintage, Sarah & Sebastian earrings
You’ve also mentioned... that before reels/tik tok existed you amassed your following through sharing hair tutorials - how old were you when all that happened? And I’m so curious ... How did you even learn how to do hair? Because you even did hair / bridal hair for a while in Australia right?
Bruna: Yes!! That’s actually a very funny story. As I mentioned before, I grew up dancing and going to competitions at a very early age. Most of the time we needed to do our own hair and I was always very creative with mine. I used to do crazy braids, ponytails, etc - This made me realise that I had a bit of a talent hidden when it came to hair styling.
When Instagram had just launched, back in 2012, I remember that my phone would barely support the app.
After teaching myself how to work instagram (haha) I started recording myself doing braids just for fun. Fun fact back in 2012 you could only record up to 15 seconds of video to make it on instagram’s feed and it was almost impossible to show a full tutorial in 15 seconds, but somehow I managed.
And I think that’s how my followers started growing rapidly because I was one of the few accounts doing videos quite often and sharing a few secrets behind braiding and hairstyling tips.
I even started getting messages from people asking to see a full tutorial with a step by step explanations. So I thought with myself: Why not create a Youtube page then?
I never mentioned this before, but I did media (Radio and TV) at University and that actually helped me a lot with how to speak in front of a camera and edit my videos so I found it quite easy to practice and record myself at home and I ended up doing hairstyling as a side gig on weekends with a MUA friend.
You know when I first moved to Australia, I did think about working in a Hair Salon straight away, but my English wasn’t very good and I wasn’t very confident speaking to people so I waited 6 months before I pursued it.
Arnsdorf trench coat, Bonds bralet, Vintage Givenchy necklace available at Constantina Vintage
You originally came to Australia to study English for what was supposed to be for only 4 months and in that time you met a photographer who convinced you to go to Bali to shoot a campaign... can you think back to that moment and tell me how you feel knowing that it was those photos that got you signed to Bella?
Bruna: It is incredible how everything happened. I’m very blessed and grateful for every single thing.
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t do anything related to modelling for a few years because I thought it was over for me.
But then I met Rachel Webb, a Sydney based photographer and she was shooting a campaign for her brand and wanted a redhead, it would be my first time in Bali and it sounded way too good to be true… I actually thought it was a joke or a scam but decided to go.
While we were in Bali she took a few digis of me and really helped me with my confidence in front of the camera … it was also a bonus that she knew what brands were looking for as she was already working in the industry. I remember being in the pool, working on my poses and talking about my unsuccessful modelling history and Rachel just told me to try again. She also said: “Maybe Australia could be new and different for you? Just try it again, one more time.” and that’s what I did and here I am 3 years later.
Rachel and I became very close friends and, whenever we can, we go to Bali to celebrate our friendship, her brand and our success.
Arnsdorf trench coat, Bonds bralet, Vintage Givenchy necklace available at Constantina Vintage
I honestly love seeing you in all the current fashion magazines and campaigns! Can you tell me which ones have been the biggest highlight for you and how you even felt when you landed your first AU campaign and cover?
Bruna: Oh my God, It is actually so hard to name it because every single one is so special to me, and the team always does an incredible job.
My favourite cover was definitely “Love Want” shot by Bec Parsons, “Bazaar Australia” was also very special to me. Being photographed by Georges Antoni was a dream! Campaign wise, I had great feedback from “Bec and Bridge” and “Bras N Things”, “Mecca”, and the list goes on and on..
When I saw myself for the first time in a store and on a TV Commercial I just couldn't stop crying. It was such an achievement for me! I facetimed my parents straight away.
I also have copies of all the magazines I’ve been on so I can give them to my mom whenever I see her.
It’s like watching a movie of my life when I think of all my experiences. Only we know what we’ve been through to achieve our dreams, and when it happens I just close my eyes and be grateful for every single person that helped me on the way.
Strateas Carlucci coat, Bulgari earrings, Sarah & Sebastian rings
Also this year was the first year that you walked for Australian Fashion Week, how was the experience? Does it make you proud to be a part of an evolving change in fashion? I mean 10 years ago this would have never happened but what are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is adapting fast enough to include women of all different sizes or do you think we still have a long way to go?
Bruna: Yes, It was my first time walking for Australian Fashion Week. The experience was AMAZING!
I won’t lie that I wasn’t expected to be selected for any show because of exactly what you’ve said: 10 years ago this would never have happened.
I dream very high and I believe you can attract great things from the universe, but I never put my hopes up on anything and Fashion Week was definitely one of them as I always got told once I started modelling that I was way too short for catwalk and that I would be “lucky” if I was considering for e-commerce even.
I went to 6 fashion week castings and I got selected for 4 shows. I think it was pretty good, right?
I got to work with incredible designers, h&mua’s, crew. It was an incredible energy from beginning to the end.
I got to know many brands that have finally extended their sizes and not only that, but are now having curve models walk their shows. Sometimes we see brands extending to bigger sizes but we don’t see the curve models on their campaigns and catwalks.
We all want to see ourselves there and be represented. Not only with exclusive shows focus on diversity but including the diversity into their shows. I felt like this year was a massive step forward from the previous Australian Fashion Week yers, but we all know that there’s always room for improvement.
My favourite show was Dyspnea. I had goosebumps from beginning to the end. The vibe, music, the crowd energy was incredible, and I felt sexy af! - can I say that here? haha!
Christopher Esber top & skirt, vintage Givenchy earrings available at Constantina Vintage, Sarah & Sebastian ring, Bulgari ring
Christopher Esber top & skirt, vintage Givenchy earrings available at Constantina Vintage, Sarah & Sebastian ring, Bulgari ring
Being a role model for body positivity now; was there or is there someone in the industry or even someone in general that you look up to that inspires you?
Bruna: I’ve grown up watching Brazilian Models rocking in the Victoria Secrets’ Show such as Adriana Lima, Gisele Bündchen, Isabeli Fontana. I’ve always thought they were legit angels and incredibly beautiful, but in the back of my head I knew that I could never look like them.
When I started using Social Media I found Ashley Graham and my eyes were hypnotised by her beauty and how I could relate myself and my body with hers.
I loved everything about her, her sense of humour, how she was posing, laughing and just being herself. Her curves just made her even more incredible - and that’s when I was able to see myself in someone’s body and maybe, who knows, be her one day..
I’ve always loved seeing Latecia Thomas, Barbie Ferreira, Leslie Sidora rocking the curve industry as well. Hopefully I get to work with them one day.
Christopher Esber top & skirt, vintage Givenchy earrings available at Constantina Vintage, Sarah & Sebastian ring, Bulgari ring
Arnsdorf top and jeans, vintage GIvenchy bracelet and necklace worn as bracelet availabe at Constantina Vintage, vintage Dior earrings available at Constantina Vintage
If you could model for any brand in the world what would it be and why?
Bruna: When I started modelling I wrote a list with brands I would love to work for. Some of them were fashion, some were beauty brands. I always had some Australian brands such as “Bras N Things”, “Mecca” and “Cotton On” on my “Dream List” and I was able to work with all of them in the past year/months. I always enjoy working with clients that focus on sustainability and of course, that don't use any animal products. Every client is unique. You have a different crew for every single brand.
Sometimes my dream can be working with a specific model, photographer, hairstylist or makeup artist instead..
Maybe a Vogue Magazine would be cool? Who knows..
Strateas Carlucci dress, Bulgari earrings
Hansen & Gretel dress, vintage Napier earrings available at Constantina Vintage
Last question - What are your best tips when it comes to self love and acceptance?
Bruna: First of all, what I always say to myself is how grateful I am for being healthy and for having people who love me exactly the way I am.
People always use the term “brave” or “confident”. I don’t really like that because what I do is just me living my normal life and being me. If I go to the beach or I’m doing anything to enjoy myself and my day, I mean it - and you should too! Wear the best bikini you have, some snacks, a book and enjoy your day without having second thoughts of how you are looking or what people are saying about you.
Always make sure you take care of yourself and your body. Eat well, drink water, and exercise - not only for your body, but for your mental health too.
I have my imperfections and things I don’t like in my body, but I embrace it. We need to be gentle and listen to our body and appreciate it every single day.
Photographer: Diego Lorenzo Jose at Assembly Agency
Stylist: Cheryl Tan
Styling assistant: Emily Irving
Hair: Keiren Street at AP—REPS
Makeup: Nisha Van Berkel at AP—REPS
Talent: Bruna Lapinskas at Bella Management