Eilidh and Lauren Alexander: Kilbarchan’s international models

Claire Elliot meets Eilidh and Lauren Alexander, the international-models-next-door

The fashion industry is often criticised for its harsh standards and cut-throat nature. However local sisters Eilidh and Lauren Alexander have managed to navigate the complex world of modeling side-by-side.

The two sisters, originally from Kilbarchan, have an unusual story of being scouted young and catapulted into a world of international modelling all while still navigating their studies at high school and university. 

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Even during the embryonic stages of their careers, they have an outrageously impressive collection of shoots and campaigns already under their belts, ranging from shoots for Vogue and Elle to campaigns for an assortment of brands from high street to high end, such as Debenhams, Guess, Fenty Beauty and Ralph Lauren to name only a small few. 

Eilidh, the older of the two sisters, was scouted first at the ripe young age of thirteen. She was scouted by a London agency originally, but was then told she was too young.

However, a few years later, Eilidh caught the attention of a photographer via her Instagram account and advised to get in contact with Colours, the agency she and her sister remain with to this day. 

Eilidh Alexander for Vogue

“Growing up, I was always like, ‘oh, I’m tall, but I’m never going to model’,” she says with a laugh that suggests she still can’t quite believe where that moment led.

But fate had other plans, and after a visit to Colours Agency, young Eilidh was officially signed – along with her younger sister. 

Tagging along to her sister’s agency meeting at age eleven, younger sister Lauren wasn’t expecting to catch anyone’s attention. But catch it she did. As Lauren tells it, with the kind of casualness that could only come with hindsight:

“I remember it vividly. Mark, who’s still my booker now, asked me what age I was. I said I was eleven and he was like, ‘we’ll sign you as well’.” Just like that, a second star was born.

Where Eilidh promptly began to take on high profile jobs from the moment she was on the books, Lauren’s journey took a gentler trajectory. She found her niche in commercial modeling. “I do lingerie, e-commerce, more regular jobs,” she explains, her tone reflecting a hard-won sense of professional satisfaction. 

“It’s a different environment to the kind that Eilidh worked in. I don’t get judged that way. With commercial modelling, you build up a client base and work with the same people over and over. I don’t have insecurities going into places, I know they want me because they’ll already have booked me multiple times.”

Lauren Alexander for Guess

The sisters’ divergent paths through the industry mirror the seismic shifts happening in fashion itself at that time. “When I was modelling full-time in 2018, 2019, even though it’s not that far back in time, it was very different,” Eilidh observes, “even our agencies, they’re different now. They don’t really prioritise measurements and things like that.” 

Thankfully, the sisters found allies in their agency Colours, whose unwavering support transformed what could have been a challenging professional landscape into a remarkably smooth journey from the halls of Johnstone High to international success.

“It’s been so good to have the team with us the whole time,” Eilidh says, “especially when I was younger. I think they told quite a lot of agents to do one when they were telling me I was too big for jobs.” 

Eilidh Alexander for Vogue

Across the table, Lauren nods in agreement. “I’ve known them since I was only eleven, so I think they are protective,” she muses, “they just want the best for us and we do trust them. It’s so rare and so nice to have a mother agent like that, and a relationship with them like that. They see you as a person and not just a number or a face.”

Amid the challenges that the girls have faced in such a ruthless industry, their sisterhood has revealed itself to be their most powerful asset. Although in recent years Eilidh has taken a step back from modelling to focus on her career in accountancy, she still relishes in hearing all about her younger sisters’ thriving modelling career.

The two covers from Mill Magazine March/April 2025

“I love hearing Lauren talk about it,” Eilidh gushes, “I always want to know the gossip. I want to hear what the agency were saying, how the casting went. It’s something we can talk about with each other more than anyone else. Even Mum, although she loves to get involved.” 

Their mother, they both agree, is something of a stage manager – part Kris Jenner, part supportive confidante. She’s been in their corner from the beginning, navigating agency relationships, supporting their dreams, understanding the unique landscape of their chosen path.

Her unwavering support is something that the girls also regard as a reason they were able to achieve so much success in a cut-throat industry without becoming discouraged by rejection and criticism. 

On what advice they would offer any young girls who aspire to their levels of success in the field, the sisters are firm but fair. “Wait until you’re about 18,” asserts Eilidh, “there’s no rush.” “And don’t get disheartened,” Lauren adds, “rejection is a massive part of the industry. I do it full time and I still get rejected all the time. Just don’t force it and let it be.”

As the fashion world continues to evolve, and beauty norms with it, the Alexander sisters represent a new generation of models – ones who understand that true beauty isn’t about fitting into a predetermined mould, but about authenticity, resilience, and supporting one another.

Their story is a testament to sisterhood, the importance of a faithful support system, and to finding your feet in an unfamiliar industry and keeping them firmly planted on the ground despite unimaginable success. 

Q&A with Eilidh and Lauren Alexander

Favourite comfort movie? Eilidh: About Time. Lauren: Call Me By Your Name, or anything Timothee Chalam.

Favourite holiday destination? Eilidh: Nerja in Spain, near Marbella. Lauren: Airlie Beach in Australia.

Perfect day off? Eilidh: I’d start with a pilates class, lunch or brunch after and a bit of shopping, then a nice dinner with a glass of wine. Lauren: I’d say shopping as well, and the pool at David Lloyd to relax.

Renfrewshire hidden gems? Both: Shimla Pinks in Johnstone! It’s the best Indian restaurant. Eilidh: Lockerwood Community Woodland is a lovely walk. Lauren: Oh and the Boarding House in Howwood.

Thanks to Colours Agency for helping facilitate this interview with Eilidh and Lauren Alexander.