Teresa Lourenço is more than an actress and a model—she represents cultural fusion and creative storytelling. Born in Trinidad, her roots blend Indian, Portuguese, English, and Irish heritage. Her rise to fame reflects adaptability and universal beauty. Her journey, from the Caribbean to Paris runways, is both inspiring and captivating.
At 16, Teresa became a muse for John Galliano and starred in campaigns for Dior. Her career is filled with iconic moments. She transforms effortlessly, portraying Frida Kahlo for German Vogue or celebrating her heritage for Elle France. Her talent has made her a muse for fashion legends like Karl Lagerfeld and Ralph Lauren.
In this IRK interview, Teresa shares how her upbringing shaped her creativity and personal journey. She reflects on fashion’s evolution and self-expression’s importance. Her words reveal a woman shaping fashion’s future while embracing its past. Join us as Teresa Lourenço invites us into her world of culture, creativity, and individuality.
Coat: Chanel Earring: Alexis Bittar
IRK: Growing up in Trinidad, what aspects of your heritage have influenced your career in modeling and acting?
Coming from the West Indies, I have a diverse background. My mother is of Indian heritage, while my father is Portuguese, English, and Irish. I grew up with a Hindu mother and a Catholic father. This rich ethnic background has enabled me to play multiple roles in the fashion industry, whether it was shooting an editorial for German Vogue portraying Frida Kahlo or a French Elle editorial in the Bahamas as a Black girl. I have found myself fitting into the categories of American Indian, Latina, and Indian girl. I love being a mixed girl who can represent multiple cultures. Jean Paul Gaultier once told me that I am a classic multicultural beauty who represents everyone.
IRK: Can you share your journey from Trinidad to becoming an international model?
Teresa: I moved from Trinidad to Germany at the age of 8. Ever since I was a little girl—11 years old, to be exact—I have dreamed of becoming a model. I grew up in the 90s, the era when supermodels ruled the world. I idolized models like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, and Jasmin Gauri. I was that young girl who had every issue of Vogue and Elle magazine. I used to create portfolios for each model, and my best friend and I would play dress-up like the supermodels, taking pictures of each other as if we were them.
At the age of 13, I went to an agency called Promod in Hamburg. I needed to do a work experience for school, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to understand the fashion industry. When I walked in, they said I could do the work experience, but at the same time, they asked if I was interested in modeling. I thought that 13 was too young for me to start, but I shared that I had always wanted to model. From there, we began with test shoots, and they sent my pictures to City Models in Paris. During a school break, I visited City Models in Paris , and while I was in Paris, they sent me on a casting to meet John Galliano. He booked me for his show, and back in those days, Galliano was the it designer. I kind of became his muse and did multiple shows and photoshoots with him.
I remember my agency calling me back to Paris for the Trophée de la Mode (Fashion Awards). I flew to Paris after school, unaware that I was up for an award. I ended up winning the award for best upcoming model and was handed the award by Naomi Campbell and Isabella Rossellini. The first person I thanked was John Galliano. A year later, he became the designer for Dior, which led to my first major Dior campaign at the age of 16 with Nick Knight.
Once I finished school, doors opened for me in the fashion industry, and before I knew it, I was walking every major fashion show in every major city: NYC, Milan, and Paris. I was shooting for magazines like Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire.
IRK: What was your big break in the fashion industry, and how did it shape your path?
Teresa: I have had multiple big breakthroughs at different stages and in various cities. I would say my major break in the fashion industry was my first fashion show for John Galliano. At that time, he was also the designer for Givenchy, which was another show I would do. When John became the designer for Dior, I got to do the Dior campaign, which was a significant breakthrough for a 16-year-old.
When I moved to New York at 18, I was hired for the Ralph Lauren campaign with Bruce Weber. The biggest breakthrough, however, was being featured in Lenny Kravitz's music video for the song "Again." MTV was a major force back then, and this video reached number one on all the charts. I began to be recognized by regular crowds outside the fashion industry. People would often come up to me on the streets and ask for autographs because I was the girl in the Lenny Kravitz video.
Sweater vest: Stella Mccartney, Bodysuit: I.AM.GIA, Show: Givenchy, Septum ring: Auri
Modeling and Fashion
IRK: Having worked with iconic brands and designers, what stands out as your most memorable collaboration?
Teresa: I have had so many memorable collaborations with designers. For me personally, Fashion Week in Paris was the most fun. Being in shows for Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano always felt like theater. There was so much creativity; we were allowed to play the roles that matched the theme of each show. It was never just walking down the runway—we got to act, and the hair and makeup were always extraordinary.
I also loved working with Karl Lagerfeld for the Chanel shows. Karl and I had a special relationship because we were both from the same town “Hamburg” Germany. Chanel represented chic and true Paris. The VH1 Fashion Show in New York were a blast as well; I walked for Ralph Lauren when he received the award for Best Designer.
I also worked a handful for Victoria Secrets which is a big deal in the US.
Shirt: Maison Margiela, Pant: Anna Molinari, Shoe: Saint Laurent
Coat: Jil Sander, Dress: Love Shack Fancy, Necklace: Susan Rosen
IRK: How do you feel the modeling industry has changed since you began your career?
Teresa: I will say, somewhat selfishly, that I experienced the best years of the fashion industry in the late 90s and early 2000s. Fashion was authentic back then. It felt more limited to those within the industry—models, designers, stylists, makeup artists, and photographers. There were a select number of amazing models who were the major faces, just a handful of top photographers, and the same for hair and makeup artists. The shows were incredibly creative, and the models were stunning and had it all.
Now, I feel lost in the world of fashion. Everyone can be a model now; there are countless models, photographers out there. One minute, a model is the "it" girl, and the next season it’s someone else. I don’t find models as stunning as they were in the 90s. They are very unique looking beauties. The rise of social media has diminished the quality of what the industry used to be, allowing influencers without the necessary skills—other than a large following—to take over. The digital world has also taken away from the true authenticity of what a model should look like. So much is retouched these days that it doesn’t look real anymore.
Coat: Giovanna Nicolai, Dress: Giovanna Nicolai
IRK: Sustainability is a hot topic in fashion today. How do you see your role as a model contributing to promoting more eco-conscious practices?
Teresa: I personally only shop for vintage designer clothing now; I never buy anything new. It’s so easy to find rarely used clothing that are designer. I find it special to have pieces that you can’t just walk into a store and buy. For basics, I only shop for organic and recycled clothing.
Acting and Creativity
IRK: Trinidad is known for its vibrant culture and Carnival. How has this shaped your sense of style and creativity?
Teresa: I moved away from Trinidad at a young age. As much as I would have loved to experience Carnival, it wasn’t something I could return for since it falls in February. During my younger years, I was in school, and once I became a model, it always happened during fashion week. I truly admire the creativity that goes into the costumes, the vibrant colors, and how everyone is so full of life, joy, dancing, and celebrating our culture.
IRK: Diversity and representation in media are vital. How do you view the progress made, and what more needs to be done?
Teresa: As far as the fashion industry goes, it’s much more diverse than it ever was. So much progress has been made, with more people of color—both male and female—represented in the industry, as well as different shapes, sizes, genders, and ages, whether young or older, walking the runways. I feel like the topic of not having enough girls of color is often discussed, but I find that these days, there are more Black girls than ever on the runway. However, I don’t see many mixed girls like myself; it tends to be either Caucasian, Black, or Asian girls on the runway.
Dress: Atoir, Necklace: New York Adorned, Earring: Lauren Rubinski Repossi
IRK: Diversity and representation in media are vital. How do you view the progress made, and what more needs to be done?
Teresa: As far as the fashion industry goes, it’s much more diverse than it ever was. So much progress has been made, with more people of color—both male and female—represented in the industry, as well as different shapes, sizes, genders, and ages, whether young or older, walking the runways. I feel like the topic of not having enough girls of color is often discussed, but I find that these days, there are more Black girls than ever on the runway. However, I don’t see many mixed girls like myself; it tends to be either Caucasian, Black, or Asian girls on the runway.
IRK: Looking ahead, how do you envision using your platform to inspire others or give back
Teresa: The way I would like to give back using my platform these days is by raising awareness about healing our inner selves. I am a very dedicated yogi; I practice yoga daily, meditate every day, and I am constantly working on healing my inner world. We live in a world that is overstimulating, and our nervous systems are completely out of balance. The majority of people are overly anxious and don’t know how to sit with themselves. This is all linked to the overstimulation from social media and the endless access to information we have.
Whenever I am on set, I always use my yoga tools to help in any way I can when interacting with anyone. My biggest mission when I go to work is to raise awareness of our inner world. Our happiness doesn’t come from success or material things; it comes from how we feel within. Inner peace is what brings true happiness.
Photographer: Samantha Rapp @littlenycbee
Talent: Teresa Lourenco @teresacijalourenco @iconicfocus
Stylist: Joseph Delate @joeydnyc228 @raybrownpro
Makeup & Hair: Mike Potter @pott28
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