A new generation of supermodels is here. They’re on the world’s runways, magazine covers, music videos and iPhone screens. They are everywhere in our connected world. As summer rolls in, they prepare for some well-deserved rest and relaxation—even in the face of COVID-19.

Meet one of the ‘New Fashion Industry Faces’ of 2020, Lola Nicon. Photographed by Inez and Vinoodh and styled by George Cortina, the French muse was first scouted while attending a festival in Belgium. After recently starting out her fashion career, the budding model is now featured on the cover of V125. As the 20-year-old continues her flourishing career, Nicon shares with V how she is re-evaluating summer plans, ways she’s given back in light of the public health crisis, and what it’s like being in front of the camera.

Pre-order your own copy of V125, here.

Read the full interview, below.

V Where are you from?

LOLA I’m a French girl. I grew up in Toulouse, a lovely town from the south-west but I was originally born by the seaside on the Mediterranean coast.

V How would you describe the summer of your dreams?

L A lot of gigs, some time near the ocean and fooling around with my friends anywhere life takes us.

V What is the ultimate summer song?

L It’s not really or not at all a summer song, but last summer, my friends and I were listening to it over and over again so it reminds me of fun summer times; “Anyway” by Oto.

V What is on your summer reading list?

L I’m majorly into autobiographical books, that’s my jam, and to be more specific, it’s been a long time since I really want to read The Diary of Anaïs Nin by Anaïs Nin, so I would go for that one.

V What is your favorite summer memory?

L One of my best memories is when I’ve been to San Francisco, truly one of my favorite cities around the world, with my very best friend, and we were discovering the city together, going from thrift shop to another, meeting people there and living the good life.

V When you’re not modeling, what are you up to? Do you have a hidden talents? What would people be surprised to hear?

L Well, desperately trying to catch up with my friends, and apart from that and I don’t know if we could call that anything like a hidden talent but I really love to dance, it just makes me feel instantly happy and puts me in a groovy mood.  And for surprising people, I’m wondering more about me that would not surprise them (laughs).

V How would you describe the current wave of models/generation?

L It’s so cool to see raw, strong, and unique personas, can’t wait to see how it will continue to evolve!

V How do you feel in front of the camera?

L I love it, don’t want to sound corny but for me, it’s a very intimate moment. I truly enjoy every second of it, even when I’m freezing in a bikini at 7 AM on a January morning.

V What do you hope for this year?

L Last year has been so incredibly thrilling for me, just hope for the good stuff to keep on going!

V How did the onset of this year’s public health crisis change your outlook on life and/or work?

L Learning more and more on how to be able to have a great time just with myself, as for work and also about the current situation, that everything even what you could consider like negative things can be turned around to make it fun!

V What have you learned (or what do you think people can learn) while in solitude / practicing social distance?

L First of all, to enjoy the little things and finding happiness in the simplest actions, which is always important to me but even more in those challenging times. Also obviously taking time to practice any skills that bring you joy; for me, it’s dancing and baking pastries but literally anything is good as long as it makes you happy to do it!

V Many people are reevaluating travel plans… If you were to be in one place for most of the summer, where would that be?

L I’m currently at my father’s place in Spain on the Costa Brava, it’s amazingly beautiful and nearby the sea, also my family is there, so probably if I could only stay in one place I would stay here.

V The public health climate has shaped many peoples’ reading/viewing habits—what are some reading or viewing material you’ve sought out in this time?

L Sadly it’s hard to get books right now in Spain, but I’ve been trying to get texts from Romain Gary and Stefan Zweig, two authors that I always really like reading. They paint a striking vision of life in their own stories that feel very captivating to me and also very relevant. 

V How have you “given back” in light of the public health climate?

L My parents are working on developing a technique to help on how to regulate emotions (stress, fear, anger, depression, etc..), so lately their work is even more important because a lot of people can find themselves having a lot of new difficulties regarding the current situation. I’ve been helping them creating new content online for people to get access to it and hopefully help them with that! The technique is called « Tipi » if you are interested, I believe it can be very helpful for anyone having any kind of emotional difficulties right now.