Jennifer Lawrence was reluctant to become the face of Dior.

The 23-year-old actress admits she initially had reservations about signing on to represent the luxury brand until she travelled to Paris to see one of creative director Raf Simons' shows and was ''blown away'' by his talent.

She told France's Madame Figaro magazine: ''At first, I kept telling everyone, 'I'm an actress, not a model, I'm not going to do it.' But then I came to Paris and went to Raf Simons' first show and was so blown away by his creations and his talent that I decided it would be stupid not to become a part of this designer's legacy.''

Raf Simons has said he was struck by Jennifer's ''youth'' and classic beauty'' as well as her acting capabilities, which led him to ask her to model for the brand.

The 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' actress also revealed she can identify with her character Katniss Everdeen, who must put on a brave face for the cameras to fight to the death in the popular film franchise, because they both have had to learn about the importance of appearances and fashion in their respective universes.

The laid-back star mused: ''It's funny how Katniss and I have followed the same path. When I was nominated at the Oscars for 'Silver Linings Playbook', I had to go to fancy red carpet events wearing couture gowns, and I didn't feel like myself.

''I felt like an alien, that's what Katniss feels like in the first 'Hunger Games' chapter, then in the second she gets used to this new life. She realises she has to communicate with this new crowd and wear certain clothes, start wearing make-up... That's kind of how I felt too.''