We spoke to model Lola Gray about her recent sport fueled shoot.
Working with a same team of creatives can bring with it an understanding and all the team working together on the same wavelength. This is certainly the case with the team behind September’s editorial ‘Play Ball’. Photographer Olivia Gray, stylist Adele Parr and makeup artist Lauren Maltby have collaborated on many occasions now, continuing to show the benefits of knowing each other so well. With model Lola Gray on board too for the editorial they once again excelled.
Interview date 10/9/24
TYG: Hi Lola. How did you become a model? Tell us about your early life.
Lola: When I was growing up, I danced for many years , my whole life evolved around dancing. I often saw a lot of my friends modelling for brands which centred around dance, such as ‘Bloch’ & ‘move dance wear’ as they would use dancers to model for them, & that’s what sparked my interest in modelling! So, I signed to an agency, my current agency, boss model management around 15 years of age!
TYG: How would you define your style? What sort of things do you like fashionwise?
Lola: I don’t think I have an indefinite word to describe my style, as I definitely take inspiration from a lot of people and incorporate that into how I dress now. There’s too many aesthetics I like to just pick one!
Outfits: Zara, Adidas, Nike
“I think every model in the industry , well known or not, inspires me.”
TYG: Are there any other models that you love/get inspo from?
Lola: As I just mentioned before, I love taking inspiration from every single person I come across / meet. There’s the obvious supermodels we all love, one of my favourites is Amelia Gray, who I actually saw when I worked the Chanel 23/24 métiers d’art show in Manchester. I think every model in the industry , well known or not, inspires me.
TYG: What was the idea behind the featured photoshoot?
Lola: So I can’t take any credit whatsoever for the idea that sparked this photoshoot to come alive, I just was on board and ready to go when the team who created the vision came to me asking to join them!
TYG: Had you worked with the team before? What were they like to work with?
Lola: So, I’d never worked with the MUA ( Lauren) or Stylist ( Adele) before, however, they are absolutely incredible girls who truly made their vision of this shoot come to life! I’d met the photographer (Olivia) before when she was assisting a photographer on another photoshoot, and often seen her on social media & was in awe of her work so to be able to work together on a shoot was amazing.
“…I love the boxing ones, they’re just super fun, but also create a really empowering picture!”
TYG: The theme of the shoot is quite clearly centred around sport. Are you sporty yourself?
Lola: So the shoot is a sport / editorial combination, which I loved, mixing these two together I think worked so well. As I mentioned before, I used to dance so I’ve always been a super sporty person, even though I don’t dance anymore I think keeping fit is so important , not physically but mentally.
TYG: What do you do to keep in shape?
Lola: I tend to run a lot, and do some weight training. I just try to do most what I enjoy because I think that’s what it’s all about. Staying consistent with something you don’t enjoy is a recipe for disaster!
TYG: Any favourite looks from the shoot?
Lola: I love all the looks! It’s so hard to pick! But I think I love the boxing ones, they’re just super fun, but also create a really empowering picture!
Clothing: Adidas, H&M
Outfit: ZARA
Outfit: LACOSTE
Outfit: URBAN OUTFITTERS, ADIDAS
