Model sheds light on cellulite in untouched campaign

Iskra Lawrence is flaunting her curves to encouraging her followers to embrace their beach bodies.

The model turned mental health and body positivity advocate has taken to social media to show off her natural bikini body, hoping to change the way we think about cellulite.

In a post to her more than 4.4 million followers, the 28-year-old rocked a $55 CAD striped blue bikini by Aerie that proudly showed off her cellulite.

The model took to Instagram to broadcast her message, slamming body-shaming culture and celebrating the positive steps being taken by the industry.

“Wish I’d have seen cellulite embraced or even better celebrated growing up instead of airbrushed unrealistic beauty ideals,” she wrote.

“Forget summer body BS your body is always good enough for summer, winter, Tuesdays - everyday.”

A brand ambassador for Aerie and the original #AerieREAL role model, Lawrence has always spoken candidly about her struggles with eating disorders as a teen.

Throughout her career she has established herself as power player in the body positive movement, dedicated to reframing the way women are portrayed in the media.

Now she’s honing in on cellulite.

“Ninety five per cent of women have #celluLIT,” she wrote. “It’s natural and our skin is beautiful just the way it’s meant to be.”

Through her work with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), Lawrence is striving for tangible changes in body image and eating disorders.

Her refreshing take on the beauty industry is subverting a culture previously dominated by airbrushed images of unachievable ‘beauty’, and fans are lapping up the new normal the model’s selling.

“I remember always feeling so insecure as a child seeing the tabloids of ‘Worst Celeb Beach Bodies,’” one follower wrote.

“So toxic and really did a number on my self-acceptance for many years. Love you and all you do!”

“I fear the day my daughter is brainwashed by the world of Instagram, photoshop and airbrushing, but seeing your posts give me hope that by the time she is old enough to have social media, there will be a lot more Iskras and a lot less Barbies,” another shared.

The brand in question, Aerie, has also served as an ally to NEDA, and recently announced it would donate one dollar for every un-retouched swimsuit photo shared to social media using the hashtag #aeriereal.

According to NEDA CEO Claire Mysko, Aerie’s involvement raises some much needed funds for an area of mental health that’s often overlooked and underfunded.

“We are so grateful to Aerie for this campaign and their continued support for content that promotes body confidence,” Mysko said in a statement to Yahoo.

With additional reporting by Elizabeth Di Filippo.

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com

Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.