IN CONVERSATION WITH CARLY LAWRENCE

interview by JANA LETONJA

Netflix TV Personality, beauty and lifestyle Influencer, fashion maven, and entrepreneur Carly Lawrence can be recognized her starring in one of the most popular seasons of Netflix's ‘Too Hot to Handle’, but most recently she launched her highly anticipated debut fragrance, Exist, through her company Sutherland & Co. 

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Carly, you first rose to fame on ‘Too Hot to Handle’. How has being on the show shaped your career and opportunities? 

Being on’“Too Hot to Handle’ was the biggest career opportunity I was given. At the time, I was unsure what I wanted to do in life. I was a 22-year-old living in Toronto trying to figure out where I wanted my life to go, while modeling and bartending. It is the reason I grew an online presence and I'm so appreciative and thankful. Being kind of thrown into the public eye was also good in it’s own way because I didn't have time to be scared about public opinion, and I really just had to embrace it. Since the show, I've worked with notable brands, started my own company, and met so many amazing hardworking people in this industry. 

Reality TV can be a whirlwind. What was the biggest lesson you took from your time on the show? 

The biggest lesson I was taught was to really not care what others think about me and really just take chances in life. If I didn't take a risk and answer a DM about a TV show, who knows where I would be. The biggest lesson is to continue to dream big and don't let anyone scare you from trying new things. We only grow in environments that scare us. 

Do you ever feel pressure to live up to the persona people saw on Netflix, or have you been able to redefine yourself since then? 

Fortunately for me, I was completely myself on the show, so I haven’t had to live any differently. I will say that looking at specific numbers, obviously my online growth is different because I wasn't growing an online presence gradually. It was more within a week that my socials blew up. I would say that my content looks a lot different than what I used to post, but in a good way. I don't engage in online drama or find that I would ever want to use my platforms to spread negativity, but more an outlet to be creative. 

Can you share with us one of the behind the scenes secret viewers don’t get to see when they watch ‘Too Hot to Handle’? 

Everyone except for me knew the show was ‘Too Hot to Handle’. The faces the cast made when Lana appeared were all fake except mine. I genuinely didn't think I'd ever be cast for something like that. 

You’ve been making waves in the fashion industry, attending NYFW and being invited to major shows. What was your favorite moment from New York Fashion Week? Any designers that really stood out to you? 

Kim Shui really had such an amazing show. The artistry in the outfits, the models themself, and the energy in the room was indescribable. I also loved attending the runway show my friend walked in, Valente, as it was in an old pizza shop. The concept was really cool. 

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Who are your biggest fashion inspirations, and how would you describe your personal style? 

My biggest fashion inspirations are Princess Diana, Rihanna, and Hailey Bieber. I would describe my personal style as classy, sophisticated, feminine, and comfortable. 

As an influencer, how do you navigate trends while staying true to your own aesthetic? 

To be fully transparent, I had a stylist that helped me with all my NYFW outfits. I sent her a few celebrities and fashion icons that inspired my style and from there she pulled together looks. I didn't wear anything too far from my personal style. Instead, we just elevated my normal style. I always stay true to myself and never wear anything I don't actually love. I really didn't feel any pressure to be someone I wasn't and instead wore things I felt good in. 

You recently launched Exist, your debut fragrance with Sutherland & Co. What inspired you to create your own scent? 

Ever since I was younger, I was always into fragrance. I feel like it’s something that makes a person unique. Scent is such a personal thing. Therefore, I wanted to create a fragrance that was a mix of all my favorites. I found I was constantly spraying three or four fragrances to make a scent I liked. This is where Exist was created. 

Fragrance is such a personal experience. How would you describe Exist in three words? 

Sophisticated, sexy, heavenly. 

How do you see Sutherland & Co. evolving in the future? Do you plan to expand into other beauty or lifestyle products? 

I see Sutherland & Co growing into a larger beauty and lifestyle brand. I have some products I've been working on that I may put into production. For me, unless a product is perfect, I don't want to release it. It has to really hit many marks before I will put it on the market. But yes, I have many ideas for future products.

What’s next for you? Any exciting projects or ventures we should keep an eye on? 

I usually don't like to share spoilers of my projects that are in the works because I genuinely believe in the evil eye, but I do have a completely new venture I am working on. Hopefully, I get to show it soon.

full look NATALIE JANE