• Models
Jan 26, 2012 9:00 AM EST
0
1 Girl, 4 Looks: Meet NYC's Hottest New Model, Lily Kwong
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How do you work up the courage to take those fashion risks? Is it a costume for you or is it you putting on another version of yourself?
  "I feel like I'm not there yet. I do feel like there are other girls my age doing some fabulous things with the way they look and I feel like I'm still working up the nerve.  ButI think modeling has really helped me a lot the past year because I don't think of myself as a model, being in front of the camera has made me a lot more comfortable with myself. I was always the nerdy best friend who won a guy over because I was funny. And I think in the past year I've gotten to do a lot of exciting things. My boyfriend and I just shot a film for Vogue Italia. We've been doing fashion films together and it's really made me realize even when you make mistakes it's not that big of a deal. Most times you can laugh at it and so the risks don't seem as big once you've made so many mistakes."

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Photographed by Sam Horine