'There was this huge billboard, just me un-retouched': Model Iskra Lawrence says seeing herself in Times Square was an 'incredible moment' as she calls for greater diversity in fashion in new documentary

Model Iskra Lawrence is calling for greater diversity in fashion as she reveals that seeing her un-retouched body on a billboard in Times Square for the first time was an 'incredible moment' she'll never forget.

The 25-year-old is one of a number of models - including Denise Bidot, Candice Huffine, Nathalia Novaes and Philomena Kwao - featured in the upcoming Straight /Curve which explores the need for diversity in fashion.

‘Ideally how we move forward is inclusion,’ Iskra told Daily Mail Online. ‘The industry needs to stop letting labels confine models [so] all women are celebrated for their diversity.’ 

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Variety: Model Iskra Lawrence, pictured left and right,  25, talks about diversity in the upcoming documentary Straight/Curve

Approach: Iskra, pictured, said brands have to 'empower women' if they want them to buy their products

She added: ‘It's no longer about size, it's about health from the inside out and encouraging women worldwide to love the skin they're in.'

In a trailer for the film, The New York-based British model, who is a US size 12, says she wants to see 'different colors, different shapes, different sizes' represented on the catwalk and in advertising.

'We all now know that if you empower women they're going to want to buy into a product...' she explains. 'Thank goodness Barbie is representing different shapes and sizes now.'

Iskra, who once struggled to find her place in the modeling industry because of her natural curves, goes on to say that she will never forget seeing her recent swimsuit campaign for Aerie featured in New York City. 

Diversify: Iskra, who is pictured in a trailer for the documentary, said she wants to see women of different colors, shapes and sizes represented in the industry 

Talking point: In the film, Iskra also recalls the moment she saw her un-retouched body on a billboard in New York City's Time Square (pictured)

'Walking through Times Square there was this huge billboard, just me un-retouched, and it was just the most incredible moment...' she recalls.  

Straight/Curve, which is produced by Salty Features and Oscar-winning producer Yael Melamede, is to be released next year. 

The upcoming documentary explores issues and myths in health, fashion and fitness while supporting the movement for a 'healthier and more realistic body image for women and girls'.

Plus-size model Denise Bidot, 29, who is also featured in the film, told Daily Mail Online that her motto has always been 'there's no wrong way to be a woman'. 

Confidence: The New York-based British model, who is a US size 12, can be seen posing in her recent Aerie campaign 

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Open: Iskra often shares photos highlighting her famous curves on her Instagram page

'That's the beauty of being a woman,' she explained. 'We come from every corner of the world and bring with us stories of triumph, inspiration, resiliency, and strength.

'The fashion industry gets it but there's still the challenge in everyone embracing it and having more campaigns that reflect the diversity and true beauty of a woman.' 

Denise explained that over the past 10 years as a model she has personally seen the industry change, noting that 'within the plus size segment the fashion became more realistic for the curvy woman who feels confident and sexy in her skin'. 

Attitude change: Plus-size model Denise Bidot, 29, is also featured in the documentary, which supports the movement for a 'healthier and more realistic body image for women and girls'

Catwalker: Denise is pictured walking the runway in the Chromat show in 2014. She was the first plus-size model to walk two runways for straight-size brands during New York Fashion Week

'But the industry as a whole has also been way more receptive and inclusive of the woman that's not a size two or four or six or eight,' she added. 

The size 14 star broke boundaries in 2014 when she became the first plus-size model to walk two runways for straight-size brands during New York Fashion Week

'Walking in straight size shows like Chromat made me feel I was a part of that change and I'm super proud of that,' she told Daily Mail Online. It's really only the beginning of something great.' 

Meanwhile, Brazilian model Nathalia Novaes speaks candidly in the film about the unrealistic pressures put on models during their careers. 

Representation: Philomena Kwao, pictured, points out that designers and brands should show their clothes on 'different models of different sizes'

Landmark moment: Philomena said Ashley Graham appearing on the cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 issue, pictured, was 'a big deal'

'You think like "my worth is in not eating". As a society we can't allow girls to live like that anymore...' she says. 'Diversity will be the answer.'

In the documentary, curvy model Philomena Kwao points out that designers and brands should show their clothes on 'different models of different sizes', asking: 'Is it really that hard?'

She goes on to say that size 14 model Ashley Graham appearing on the cover 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 was 'a big deal' because they 'made no issues about her size. 

'That's true diversity,' she explains. 

Call for change: Also featured in the documentary are models Candice Huffine, pictured left, and Nathalia Novaes, pictured right

Plus-size model Candice Huffine, argues in the film that a variety of shapes and sizes makes fashion more interesting, saying: 'Same is boring'.

In addition to a bevy of models, designers, eating disorder organizations and casting directors also share their thoughts about the ongoing issue in the film.

Chromat designer says she believes it is 'incredibly dangerous to see such a narrow representation of bodies, while casting director Jon James notes: 'If I can put a man in women's clothing walking down the runway, then I can put a bigger woman in the same look.'

Kelly Goldston, VP of marketing at plus-size clothing store Eloquii, points out that it is 'no wonder' girls feel insecure about themselves and their bodies.  

Shocking stats: The film's director and producer Jenny McQuaile, pictured, said 90 per cent of women do not see themselves represented in fashion or media

True talent: Jessica Lewis, left, and Yael Melamede, right, are also producers of Straight/Curve, which is due out next year 

'The things that we're telling them are "you should change in order to just feel like you are a member of the human race,"' she says. 

The film's director and producer Jenny McQuaile told Daily Mail Online that fashion is no longer about straight size versus plus size.

'No one size is better than the other. We need to see women of all sizes, ages and races represented,' she said.

Jenny went on to say that 90 per cent of women do not see themselves represented in fashion or media, calling it a 'dangerous number'.  

'We hope by doing this we can show the reluctant fashion insiders that their brand won't be diluted if they expand their sizes, and the shame and stigma attached to diversifying is divisive and not doing anybody any good,' she added.