Sora Choi -On Coming Into Your Own

It took more than a decade for her to finally find a way to feel at home in the fashion world: by building a life away from it

- By David Yi. Photographs by Amy Troost

Jacket and bustier top, CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE.

Photographs by AMY TROOST

Styling by VIRGINIE BENARROCH

Growing up, I was called the ugly girl. Other kids called me the skeleton or asked why I had such plump lips or small eyes. They commented on my freckles and how lanky I was. I looked so different from the average Korean girl. But when I'd look in the mirror, all I saw was a face-one that wasn't particularly beautiful or ugly.

All of that changed when I went to an open casting with a friend and ended up getting my first modeling job. It brought out all of these different sides of my personality. To me, beauty is when a person is living and embodying their truth, no matter what that is.

Top, BURBERRY. Winston Couture necklace, HARRY WINSTON.

One of my morning rituals is drinking green tea with a little bit of sugar. I think it allows for better blood circulation and helps bring down puffiness in the morning. I meditate twice a day. I don't close my eyes; I stare at my reflection.