By Jane Rocca
Adut Akech has become one of Australia’s most successful international models after scoring her big break at 16, at first working exclusively with Saint Laurent. Since then, the 19-year-old has walked for Valentino, Moschino, Burberry, Chanel and Fendi.
The South Sudanese-born, Adelaide-raised teenager, who arrived in Australia as a refugee aged eight with her mother Mary and two older sisters, never thought she’d count Karl Lagerfeld, Naomi Campbell and Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli among her friends in the business.
Now based in New York, Adut returns to Australia as the face of Melbourne Fashion Week.
Adut wears J’Aton Couture dress, Strateas Carlucci top, Tony Bianco heels (not pictured).Credit: Steven Chee
How did your relationship with Saint Laurent get started?
I had just finished participating in Fashion Week in Australia when I got the call from my agent. I remember it was a Wednesday night. I was sitting at home in my school uniform trying to catch up after being away for a few weeks. Mum was in Africa at the time. By Friday I was on a plane to Paris for the first time. I went alone.
What are your memories of that trip?
I arrived with a swollen foot. Nobody told me to wear compression stockings on the flight, so I slept the entire trip and woke with a humongous foot and couldn’t wear any shoes. I was stressing out. I went to hospital for eight hours, all thanks to a piece of glass they found in my foot, which got infected and made things worse. During rehearsal at Saint Laurent I collapsed and started crying. The casting director ran up to me and picked me up off the floor. I told him I couldn’t walk in any of the shoes they wanted me to wear. I thought I had blown my chances. In the end, they put me in a pair of men’s tuxedo shoes to wear with my dress.
You’re the face of Valentino’s Born in Roma fragrance for the 2019 spring/summer campaign, alongside Anwar Hadid.
Valentino holds a special spot in my heart. Designer Pierpaolo looks beyond physical beauty, he accepts people for who they are. The fact he chose me to represent this fragrance is another pinch-me career moment: I am the first black female to be the face of a Valentino fragrance. I hope this opens up doors for other models of colour. It’s a huge statement and I’m proud to be part of it.
When did you first meet the late Karl Lagerfeld?
I met Karl in February 2018 at my fitting for Fendi, during Milan Fashion Week. He was sitting in his chair and told me I was gorgeous. I was like, “Is he serious? This is crazy.” I was trying to remain calm and professional but all I wanted to do was run out of the room and ring my mum to tell her what he said. Then he started asking why no one had brought me to him before: “Why haven’t I seen her at Chanel?” The room went silent. It was awkward.
From that moment I felt a connection with him. I did a Fendi show, then my first Chanel after that, and we spent hours one-on-one in his studio. He also liked to call me Choupette – just like his cat. It’s so sweet. That’s also when he asked if I wanted to be his Chanel couture bride. I was like, “Yes, of course.”
You’re only the second black bride to close a Chanel haute couture show.
Dion Lee dress, $1390. Voodoo hosiery, $13, from David Jones. Tony Bianco heels, $200.Credit: Steven Chee
It’s my biggest achievement by far, an experience I will take to my grave. Being Karl’s bride and being so close with him through so many fittings is forever ingrained in my mind.
He asked me while we were doing a campaign shoot in his studio. He made me feel accepted and wanted. I miss him dearly. Walking in his last shows for Fendi and Chanel was very sad, too. I hope I made him proud. I still cry at night thinking about how fashion weeks won’t be the same without him there.
How would you describe your personal style and favourite labels?
I like to mix and match my brands; I don’t overthink what I wear – I just put on the first thing I see in my wardrobe. I love Valentino, Strateas Carlucci and Aje. I don’t like to dress up too much. I am in high heels for work all day long, so you’ll find me in T-shirts and jeans with sneakers – mostly Adidas and Nike. I also love Toni Maticevski, Alice McCall, Dion Lee and C/Meo Collective.
How did you become close friends with Naomi Campbell?
We met in 2017 while shooting the 2018 Pirelli calendar with British photographer Tim Walker in London. It was an all-black cast featuring Naomi, P. Diddy, RuPaul and others. We were all in the studio at the same time. Naomi has become my second mother now – she’s always looking out for me. From the day we met, she asked someone, “Who’s that cute little girl?” We’ve been close ever since.
You’ve been to the Met Gala in New York two years in a row now. Do you get star-struck?
I was a guest of Valentino last year and was nervous. It’s fun at the same time though, and this year I was more chilled out about it. I was so excited to see all the stars. For me, it was meeting Rihanna and Anna Wintour – that was pretty cool.
Were you raised in a religious family?
We’re Christians, but not hard-core about it. Yes, I believe in God, but Mum isn’t too strict on us. She always tells us to do good and be good. Take care of each other and your family.
What is your greatest achievement?
When I came to Australia, I promised my mum that I would finish school, buy her a house and car and make something of myself. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get to this but at the age of 19 I have been able to do it. I have been saving money for her and I am happy my career has allowed that to happen.
She’s a single mum raising seven children. My dad died, so isn’t in the picture, and she has been doing it all by herself. She’s a superwoman who gave up her chance at education and career to raise her family. I am forever grateful.
What do you think of when you walk down the runway?
I used to stress myself out thinking about walking straight, keep tall. Now all I think about is what I’m going to eat after the show and getting some sleep. That’s my secret, and what works for me.
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from August 28 to September 5.
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale August 4.