Cameron Russell

I was bullied at school.

When I was 16, I definitely burned a couple of bridges by saying, 'I won't do this!' I was not diplomatic about it. I came to a fitting and was like, 'I don't wear fur; cancel this show!'

My style is definitely not ladylike - frills and bows kinda scare me - but I like the military look because I love that olive green khaki color.

It's going to sound ridiculous, but knowing how to pose, how to maintain a level of engagement and variation for a day of shooting, is actually a skill.

Becoming a model was very counter-culture for my background, which is hyper-liberal, academic and feminist.

Having a couple really great basics makes it easy to dress well every day.

Like many young people, I believe I have potential to make a positive impact in the world.

Modelling is no better or worse than many other professions, but it is more obvious, more accessible.

For the past few centuries, we have defined beauty as tall, slender figures, femininity and white skin.

The rise of the Internet and the camera phone have started to change what stories are accessible.

In the history of the world, all five mass extinctions have been accompanied by massive climate change, so we are facing an incredibly serious threat. In fact, we are technically in the sixth mass extinction right now, and it is the first mass extinction being attributed to humans.

I have no idea what advantages I truly get, but I know people talk to me and give me time of day because they like how I look.