13 Things Adut Akech Would Buy Again
From the model's fashion week travel essentials to the bra from her latest Victoria's Secret campaign.
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Ask Adut Akech what she’s most looking forward to this fashion month, and the model doesn’t name a catwalk or designer. “What I’m excited for is just to get to see everybody again,” she tells BAZAAR.com. “It’s been a really strange last couple of years, and to be back on the runway is always exciting.”
Adut isn’t just returning to shows in New York, Milan, and Paris this season. She’s also starring in a campaign for Victoria’s Secret’s Love Cloud bra, alongside VS Collective members like Paloma Elsesser and Hailey Bieber. The accompanying shoot let the model unleash her fun, quirky side—one that she doesn’t always get to share. “Editorial shooting is more like you have to get into character,” Akech explains. “Shooting lingerie and with Victoria’s Secret, you’ve just got to be yourself.”
Walking the world’s biggest runways (see: Chanel couture) informs Akech’s style by exposure—and early peeks at items she’ll want to buy in months. At the same time, Akech says she’s gone through style phases: a tomboy era she summarizes as “chill,” a girly period “where it was heels and dresses and everything tight.” These days? “Now I feel like I’m at that comfort-over-everything phase: Ninety percent of the time I’m in sweatpants and a hoodie and Birkenstocks, and every once in a while I’ll get dressed up and put on a dress or a pair of leather pants,” she says.
The Lucky 13 items on Akech’s list embody laid-back luxury, from the Prada puffer bag she takes on her international travels to the Tiffany necklace she wears daily. And, they’re essentials long after her whirlwind fashion month ends.
Victoria's Secret Love Cloud Straight-Neck Lounge Bra
Victoria's Secret Love Cloud Straight-Neck Lounge Bra
"I fell in love with this [while shooting the campaign]. I’m not a big bra girl usually. But this one didn’t feel like a bra–I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s smooth, and it lifts. It really does feel like what they named it."
"I'm what you call a sneaker head. I'm choosing sneakers over high heels any day. I think I have about 30 pairs of just Air Force Ones. It's just such a clean, classic shoe that goes with anything and everything. And I have a thing where, someone told me once to never throw your Air Force Ones away, so I keep them. But the minute they get a crease in them, it hurts my soul, and I need a new pair. Now that we're talking about it, I'm going to get a new pair today."
"I love flowers in general. I have them everywhere in my house—I cannot not have flowers. But any kind of white flowers, I don't care what [type] it is, there's something about the way they look and the way they make me feel. They're clean and fresh. And white feels calming and peaceful."
"Currently I have two phones. I just bought myself for my birthday the most recent iPhone 13, which has the most incredible camera. Then my second phone is my 12 pro. I love having two phones. It's so convenient. If one is out of power or having whatever issues, then I have the other one. Everyone who has been around me and seen me with two phones now has two phones. And they were like, 'You inspired me.'"
"I love everything Aesop, from their body soaps to their body oils to hand creams. I always have Aesop hand cream in my bag. The body soap, I have it in every single shower in my house. I have very sensitive skin so I'm careful with what I use. Aesop is perfect because it gives you that clean feeling but it also feels very natural and organic, and not so scented to the point it'll irritate my skin."
Tiffany & Co. HardWear Double Link Pendant
"One of my favorite jewelry pieces is this silver infinity necklace that my sister bought me for my birthday. I wear it every single day. It's something that is simple and elegant and intimate to us."
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Eau de Parfum
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Eau de Parfum
"This was the first fragrance I ever got to be the face of, so it's super special to me. But not only that, it's an amazing fragrance. I've used it every single day since it came out. I love how sweet and pretty it smells [...] and it's long-lasting. I always get compliments when I wear it. People ask, 'What's that fragrance?' And I say, 'Oh, that's my little baby that I'm super proud of.'"
Slip Silk King Pillowcase, White
"I use silk pillows at night. One of my agents bought me these when I was quarantining in Australia, back in July of last year, and I've been using them since then. It's good for your skin and great for your hair."
Prada Puffy Napa Quilted Tote Bag
"I have quite a suitcase collection. When it comes to hand carry-ons, I have this Prada puffer tote situation, and that's my most-used one. From my facial mini products to my books, iPad, vitamins...there's so much in my hand carry-on. So I need one that has lots of space, is secure so things aren't falling out, and also looks great, you know?"
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
"Laneige says it's a lip sleeping mask, but this balm is on my lips 24/7, whether I'm awake or sleeping. It's the only thing I use for my lips. There are so many people who know about it and use it, but there are a lot more people who need to know about it. It keeps your lips just moist and hydrated, and it comes in so many different flavors that have a little tint."
"My day isn't quite right if I don't have an almond chai latte from Starbucks. I don't get a chai latte anywhere else—nobody else does it quite right in my opinion. I don't even buy mix to make it at home because it's a whole different taste and vibe."
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
"Dyson had sent my older sister this hair dryer some time ago and she always raves about how amazing it is and how I should get it. I wasn't sure. Then there was a shoot I did where the hairstylist used it on me. It was the first time it was used on me and I fell in love with it. I was like, 'Clearly, I've been sleeping on this Dyson dryer.' What I love about it is you have control over the amount of heat you use. I'm very careful about using heat on my hair."
"I love CB2's linen bedding. I currently have this olive green on my bed—these days I've been obsessed with green. It's like that hotel bedding feeling."
Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.
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