Lucja Krzak Gets Real about The Fashion Industry and Why Femininity has Changed in 2021

Lucja Krzak is a model on the rise with her angelic blonde features, having landed several covers on Shape, Love, and Elle Bulgaria. Lucja is taking on the digital modelling world in stride as she still continues her dream to be the next IT girl for the new generation.

Inspired by the likes of Doutzen Kroes, Lucja is hoping to make an impact that would help establish her foundations in the fashion world as it evolves and changes with the times.

Image provided by Lucja Krzak

Sitting down with British Thoughts, Lucja gets real about the unhealthy expectations of the modelling industry and how it has changed during the pandemic.

1. As a fashion model in this day and age. What makes things different to how it was before?

Since I started modelling, the industry has changed a lot. For me being 16 and raised in a central European country it was easy to fit the mould — The Slavic features like high cheekbones, light hair, and fair skin- the angelic look was in. The problem was to transition from local to international — if you didn’t have a motivated manager or the network to do so.

When I started there were many successful European models representing Victoria Secret and it was the ultimate goal at the time. Being the VS Angel was the goal of every model in the world. This was an era of skinny and very tall models preferably with blond hair- I must admit it helped me a lot since I fit in that canon of beauty! I was lucky.

Nowadays, modelling became a job basically for everyone. That job became opened up to any body type, skin colour and race. Today there are almost no rules besides for the high fashion models where height and weight are important.

2. What made you want to be a model? Where did you begin?

I love beauty. I have always admired beautiful clothes, objects and beautiful people. I  come from a small town in Poland-Limanowa. I started modelling at the age of 16. My first contracts were photoshoots, and the one I did was an advertisement for backpacks. This is how it all started. During my career, I also took part in a few international beauty contests where I represented my country Poland.

Image provided by Lucja Krzak

3. Who are your role models in the fashion industry?

My role model in the industry is Doutzen Kroes. She is truly a beautiful person inside out. I remember her first  L’oreal campaign and I was wondering back then who she was. She reminded me of Grace Kelly. Her work ethic, having family at a young age, finding her soulmate and overall success in the industry are impressive. I also admire her charity work and standing up for what she believes in.

4. When it comes to how femininity is defined. What is your definition of it?

Femininity has many faces. We need to remember it may be represented by both men and women. It is generally associated with women aesthetics, behaviours, outfits, interests and as well hormones. I would say that the term of femininity has changed a lot in the last 50 years. Hasn’t it?

Women are no longer so concerned with being delicate, caring and sweet. For most people, it is a concept of caring and being a good mother. Is there more to it? For sure. Throughout my career, the idea of femininity in modelling has also changed. We, models, were expected to be just sweet faces with flawless bodies and characters with simultaneously hard-working ethics, saying yes to any inconveniences, working long hours, being on strict diets and spending hours at the gym. Women’s bodies were judged and criticized and that was all OK.

In recent years when Cara Delevigne became a big star with that rebellious look and attitude, the trend for more masculine-looking models became popular and in demand. People started to speak up about the industry and its unhealthy expectations and that big wave helped the new generation of models with being more themselves and more body positive. A big thing now is to form a bond with the customer like what Dove commercials did by representing regular human bodies.

Image provided by Lucja Krzak

5. Truthfully speaking, what are the drawbacks that you experienced during the pandemic with the fashion industry being closed for a while?

The pandemic was a tough time for all of us and obviously the fashion industry. The year 2020 changed the lives of many of us forever. The fashion weeks were called off and the sale of the high couture was minimal compared to previous years. For me personally, it was a time to take care of myself and slow down. It’s been a big shocker to all of us but we survived it and now everyone wants to do their best and be back on the catwalks.

6. What would be the best piece of advice you would give to any model coming into the industry?

Be brave, be an opportunist, don’t be picky and take care of your health. The world is yours but it all depends on you what you get from it.

7. Do you have any upcoming projects coming up that are different to what you normally get?

I started working more in places that have fewer health restrictions and also I do mainly photoshoots with just one model and a photographer. I feel like human contact has been reduced since many people have concerns about COVID. The travel isn’t easy as it is was and there is a lot of demand for local models which makes it a little less competitive in some cases.

8. Finally, what are the three words you would use to define your femininity to the world?

Kindness, self-respect, and grace.

Article by Cyan Leigh Dacasin, Lifestyle Editor – British Thoughts UK

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For more on Lucja Krzak, Check out her IG: @lucykr05