Monique Lester Is Fitting Her Career Around Her Family, Not the Other Way Round
She is still modeling, readying a lingerie label and planning to try for one last child. How the Australian model plans to make room for all three.
Disclosure: this is a sponsored article, written in partnership with Monique Lester.
Women working in fashion often hear that they have to pick between a career and children. Monique Lester, a model from Australia, is planning for both. She has a lingerie label of her own, Crystal Rose Intimates, in preparation, and has said she means to try for one last child before long.
A Plan Built Around Pregnancy
Lester has spoken openly about how she would handle work during a pregnancy. Her plan has three stages:
- Model for as long as it stays comfortable.
- Step away from work at the point it no longer is.
- Come back gradually once she has recovered and feels ready.
It is a sensible approach, one that treats her body and her family as priorities instead of obstacles. It also cuts against the assumption that a model’s career must stop entirely around motherhood, or race back afterwards.
Family Has Always Come First
Her children and family have been central to her life throughout. Her working life has also included time as a disability support worker, which she describes as rewarding and meaningful.
Combining caregiving work, raising children and modeling has given her a grounded outlook, and that is visible in the way she is building her business: carefully, and at a pace she sets.
Her Career So Far
Lester’s modeling career has grown into an international one and includes:
- Fashion photography and magazine appearances
- Creative work alongside photographers and stylists
- Publication in international titles, Playboy among them
- Magnifiqué’s 2025 cover, a Richard Lancaster photograph
Refusing to Chase Beauty Trends
Plenty of women feel pressure from beauty standards shaped on social media. Lester’s position is clear: a model should develop her own identity, not follow the aesthetic of the moment.
Her image rests on authenticity, individuality and confidence. She treats confidence as part of the job, together with preparation, resilience, communication and teamwork on set.
Crystal Rose Intimates: A Brand of Her Own
Lester is now readying Crystal Rose Intimates, a lingerie brand. The name is decided, and she recently ordered samples from a possible new supplier. Further details she is keeping to herself for now.
Having spent years photographed in other people’s designs, she now gets to decide for herself how lingerie should look and feel.
Why Her Story Resonates
Lester’s plans show that a career can expand in more than one direction at the same time. She is modeling, building a company and planning to grow her family, and she has worked out how each part fits around the others. None of the three is being put on hold for the rest. Those who want to follow the label’s progress can find her on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monique Lester planning more children?
Yes. She has said she plans to try for her final child soon.
Will she keep modeling during pregnancy?
If she becomes pregnant, she means to work while she is comfortable, take time away, and return gradually.
What else is she working on?
Her lingerie label, Crystal Rose Intimates, which she is preparing to launch.
