Adut Akech Makes Dinner Plans on the Runway
Adut Akech has had an incredibly busy three years. Ever since making her debut as a Saint Laurent exclusive for Spring 2017, the model has been in high demand on and off the runway, walking shows for seemingly every big name in Europe as well as racking up covers and becoming a favorite of brands like Chanel, Fendi, and Versace.
It's hard to pick up a magazine or follow a day of fashion month without seeing the Sudanese-Australian model's face, and every season just seems to get busier. After several seasons working with Valentino, through which she's become one of Pierpaolo Piccioli's most frequent muses as she opens and closes couture (who can forget the marigold number that capped off Fall 2018?), she recently became the face of the brand's new fragrance, Born in Roma. The scent uses a trio of jasmine flowers, Bourbon vanilla, and a surprising woody element to create a rebellious picture of modern femininity matching the house's crafted wares.
This development, which preceded another busy runway season for Akech as she walked a plethora of shows across New York, Milan, and Paris, was just a further testament to the compelling spirit that has made the model so successful. On the runway, she's proven to embody a range of sartorial aesthetics, and off it, her personal style Instagrams and willingness to speak up for herself keep her a bold and inspiring force. With so much going on, it's hard to imagine how the model keeps herself sane, but she let L'Officiel in on some of her entertainingly creative tactics. Read on as she shares her go-to beauty products, runway mantra, and what she might have pursued if not modeling.
Photo via Instagram / @adutakech
What does your daily beauty ritual look like?
Sorry, it's very basic! When I get up, I clean my face and apply a moisturizing cream and lip balm. I don't use makeup during the day, because my motto is "less is more." I already wear makeup every day for work, so if I don't have to, I don't do it and I let my skin breathe.
Which beauty icon inspires you?
My mother. And all mothers. I think all women are beautiful, each in their own way. I think everyone is a beauty icon.
Which beauty products do you always have with you?
My eyebrow pencil, my foundation, my gloss, and my mascara. And if I wear an evening gown, I also bring a bright red lipstick.
Do you have a trick to feel comfortable on the catwalk?
When I think of the catwalk, I think too much and that is not good. So I think about eating and sleeping, that really helps me. I am in my own world and wonder: "What will I eat after the show?" That's my trick. I don't know if I would recommend it to other models, but it works for me.
Photo via Instagram / @adutakech
What do you do to stay in shape during fashion week?
I don't train during fashion week. I just try to drink a lot of water and eat as much as possible, and that alone can be difficult because we run from one place to another. But I try to eat and sleep whenever I can. I don't do fitness to stay slim, but I used to run a lot. I felt good about that.
What is your ideal breakfast if you have a tough day ahead?
A big bowl of oatmeal, prepared my way! So just oatmeal, with maple syrup, and I let it cook for a long time, which apparently isn't right. And then a few pieces of fruit. That is delicious. And with a glass of orange or apple juice.
What is your comfort food?
I eat fish and not meat nowadays. But when I ate meat, I ate hamburgers in the morning, afternoon, and evening. So that has been my comfort food. But now I can't choose. I love food, sugar, and fat. By the way, I just got McDonalds. I'll eat that later.
What does the Valentino house mean to you?
Valentino stands for a brand that is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. Accepting beauty in all forms. And that is close to my heart.
What is your favorite place in Rome?
I only spent three days in Rome [when shooting the fragrance campaign], so I didn't really have the chance to play the tourist in the city. I have not seen much more than what I could see from my hotel room. I have to say that the city looked beautiful, and one of the places I would like to visit is the Trevi fountain.
What is the biggest beauty lesson you've learned?
When I was younger, I drew my eyebrows very dark. Far too dark. They were too long and very thin and I thought that was beautiful. But when I see pictures from the past, I wonder what inspired me to do that and why nobody said it didn't look right!
Photo via Instagram / @adutakech
How did your interest in fashion arise?
As a child, I loved dressing up and putting on make-up, so I think I already had a passion for fashion long before I knew I was going to be a model. And when I saw women like Naomi Campbell, and the models in the '90s, I also wanted to become a fashion model.
What was your first big purchase?
That must have been my first car. It was a Nissan Pulsar. I saved a lot for it.
If you were not a model, what would you have done?
Maybe I would have studied journalism.
Where do you completely unwind?
In my bed! I lie down and call my mom, because she is my personal psychologist. And otherwise, I write about my emotions. Whether I'm sad, happy, or angry, it doesn't matter. I'd rather write about it than talk about it with others.
Do you ever want to share that with others?
I'm writing a book about my life, so I don't know yet. We will see; you never know.
