Adut Akech Talks Scent, Skincare And ‘Second Mother’ Naomi Campbell

The model talks to Grazia’s Annie Vischer.

Adut Akech

by Annie Vischer |
Updated on

Adut Akech has been catapulted into fashion superstar status. She made her runway debut on the Saint Laurent S/S ’17 catwalk, was selected by the late Karl Lagerfeld to close Chanel’s Haute Couture show in 2018, and now finds herself firmly in the Valentino fold. And you can see why. Her wide smile and strikingly positive mindset have charmed the fashion industry, but there’s a grit and determination behind those incessantly photographed eyes that Adut says comes from her childhood experiences. Born in South Sudan and raised in Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya (before emigrating to Australia, aged six), Adut credits her early years with making her the hardworking person she is today – and giving her the confidence to speak out.

This summer, for example, she was quick to criticise an Australian publication that featured another black model’s picture alongside her interview. And earlier this year she made headlines by posting a picture of herself donning a sleek bobbed wig for a shoot in-between fashion shows. ‘A lot of people say to me, “Oh don’t wear wigs! You’re better natural and the way you are,” and I think, guys, I don’t cut my hair to please you, I don’t wear wigs to please you, let me live and enjoy myself a little,’ she told Grazia.

But what of her beauty takeaways?

ON THE SCENT

‘I’m not too fond of strong smells, so I’m not into intense fragrances. Valentino Born In Roma Donna Eau de Parfum+Valentino--+P2b+Nominations+-+Desktop&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtf_tBRDtARIsAIbAKe3PZYwyaOuBzocuKoVmWYIBySQ-qcO2-gyg24lY9ExofJIcTA4BkyIaAtvaEALw_wcB){href='https://www.boots.com/valentino-donna-born-in-roma-edp-50ml-10269819?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB!)+Valentino--(GB !)+P2b+Nominations+-+Desktop&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtf_tBRDtARIsAIbAKe3PZYwyaOuBzocuKoVmWYIBySQ-qcO2-gyg24lY9ExofJIcTA4BkyIaAtvaEALw_wcB' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'} (£76 for 50ml), is very light, very sweet and very fresh. I like sweet fragrances. They make me feel like more of a sweet person! When I was younger though, around the age of 12, it was all about body sprays obviously, the Impulse ones.’ And her very earliest memory of perfume? ‘Khumra, a Sudanese homemade scent that my mother used – the smell is always in my head. My mum would put it on before she left the house. That’s my first scent memory. It’s an everlasting one actually.'

SELF-CARE

‘I’ve learned to listen to my body and I know when I’ve reached my limit. I talk to my agents and say I need some time off. It could be a day off, two hours, whatever. If it’s during fashion week, I’ll ask for a later call time. The most important thing is knowing when to listen to your body and not pushing yourself too hard. Back in New York and in the comfort of my apartment, my “me time” often involves writing. I’m not a serious writer but when I’m feeling a surge in emotion I like to write about it, it’s very therapeutic.'

A SUPERMODEL FAMILY

‘The first time I met Naomi [Campbell] was on the set of the Pirelli calendar shoot, around April 2017. I was shooting, she saw me and said some really nice things about me. I then saw her again in September that same year, when I closed the Saint Laurent show under the Eiffel Tower. Backstage, she was looking for me saying, “Where’s my baby Adut?” and that was the start of our relationship. She told me she was proud of me and that she knew I was going to be a star. Right after that show I travelled to France for my first full Paris Fashion Week schedule and she was constantly checking in on me. Who better to look after you than Naomi Campbell, right? When I moved to New York I’d go to her apartment and we’d have lunch or dinner. She would give me so much advice. Since then, our relationship has just grown and grown. She was the first family I had in New York. She’s like a second mother.'

SKINCARE KNOW-HOW

‘I have really sensitive skin and being a model de nitely does not help. e constant use of different products takes its toll. Almost a year ago, I started using the Dr Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones range and that seems to be the one line my skin really agrees with. I use the moisturiser, the hyaluronic acid serum, eye creams, everything. I have discovered the new Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser, £29, and it’s amazing. I also use some of Tata Harper’s line – I really love the Purifying Mask, £63. On an everyday basis, I like to keep things simple, just three steps. I cleanse, use hyaluronic acid and moisturise, and I never sleep with my make-up on.’

THE EARLY DAYS

‘My refugee background has shaped me to be the grateful, humble, hardworking person that I am today. I saw my parents working very hard to make sure we had something to eat and clothes to wear. Had I not gone through that, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I give everything 100% and I am very passionate about everything I do. I know that nothing is going to be simply handed to me, because nothing was given to me growing up. I had to work for it. The same goes for this industry that I happen to love. I work my butt off,’ says Adut, who last year began working with the United Nations High Commissioner to support refugees. ‘When I was in school, I always said that when I’m older I want to be a part of some organisation or foundation that helps people. I started off supporting Kakuma, the refugee camp I grew up in, the one that was closest to my heart. When my schedule allows, I’m going to become more involved in events, and next year I’m aiming to go to Kenya to do a TED talk.'

LIFE’S LUXURIES

‘I think love is one of life’s luxuries. I’m very big on family. Health too, as well as wellbeing – mental, physical and emotional – and, of course, happiness.’

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