Deemed "five of fashion's most exciting faces," by Harper's Bazaar's, Hailey Bieber, Precious Lee, Liu Wen and Adwoa Aboah are featured on the cover of the iconic magazine's May 2021 beauty issue.
In the issue, each share their perspectives on identity, influence and beauty.
"I know people are not used to seeing confident, educated, happy, chunky African American girls, and I don't care," Lee told Harper's Bazaar. "They're just going to have to get use to it."
She also thanked the publication for featuring her and said she felt "honored" in a post.
For the cover, Lee wears a stylish black hat designed by Sydney Rose Thomas and sports a flesh-toned manicure done by Aja Walton.
The model also opened up about drawing inspiration from her upbringing. "Being from the South has contributed so much to how my family has culturally embraced beauty," she said. "I'm so grateful I have my face and my body and I look how I look. Big ups to my parents because I'm such a cute half-and-half version of them. I have such stunning women in my family. My mom is gorgeous. My sister is gorgeous. They are these glam."
Bieber, also featured in the beauty issue, opened up about how it took years for her to feel comfortable as a model.
"Now I'm a lot more adventurous and I try different things," Bieber said. You realize if it doesn't work, it doesnt work! For example, sometimes when I'm doing something really stupid, I get the coolest image. If I'm doing a really awkward body shape, it turns out great. Don't be afraid to explore. This applies to so many different things."
Wen shared with writer Bee Shapiro her thoughts on current fashion in China.
The model, who is usually in New York, has been in China for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I see the young girls here are very fashionable," said Wen. "It's probably because of social media. They really know what they want, and are very confident and independent. The new generation of parents here are also so open-minded, so they let the kids do what they want to do. This all builds into the current definition of beauty. Beauty is like fashion; it changes. Maybe big lips are popular now, but maybe next year another fashion is coming."
Harper's Bazaar's May issue will hit newsstands starting May 4.
