Guinevere Poncia for 'Natural Beauty' by Ben Hopper (2019)
"I worked as a model for a brief period at university. It’s well known that models have a look, and you stick to that look. For a few months, I was unable to change my appearance. I also felt pressure to shave for photoshoots and castings. Over that time, I became frustrated at the lack of agency I had over my own body – something I am happy to admit I took for granted before. The decision to keep my natural armpit hair grew out of a newfound sense of freedom when I stopped modelling. I cut my hair off, and I let my body do its thing as a way of shedding the expectations of the fashion industry that had become such an integral part of my identity. Much to even my own surprise, I love the look, and feel a new freedom and happiness in myself. I have been pleasantly surprised by how chilled everyone else is about it too. Realising that you are not bound by anyone else’s expectation about how you should look is a beautiful thing."
– Guinevere Poncia. Political consultant (2019)