Five Minutes With Adwoa Aboah, British Supermodel, Actor and Activist

There are cool girls and then there are cool girls. British supermodel and actor Adwoa Aboah firmly belongs in the latter category. Her eclectic personal style – an effortless mix of vintage, streetwear and sharp tailoring with a tomboy edge – earned her a place on British Vogue’s 50 Best-Dressed Brits list in 2025. She was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Council’s The Fashion Awards in 2017, made her acting debut in the UK series Top Boy and launched her own luxury handbag label, The Veil.

But perhaps her proudest achievement is founding Gurls Talk in 2015, following her own struggles with mental health. The community-led non-profit provides a platform for young women to discuss mental health, body image and the issues affecting their lives, alongside access to support and resources.

When we speak over the phone, Aboah has just stepped out of a Pilates class in Sydney, days before her Melbourne talk at the NGV as part of the inaugural NGV x Kerastase Power Talks. She’s every bit as laid-back, candid and eloquent as I’d hoped.

Midway through our conversation, someone stops to compliment her hoodie. It’s vintage Side by Side band merch, repping the New York hardcore scene. “I’m not the hardcore head,” Aboah says. “It’s [my boyfriend’s], but I’m the poser.”

We chat with Aboah about the pieces currently in her wardrobe, the Australian designer on her radar, her beauty go-to and the message she hopes to share through Gurls Talk.

Where are you shopping at the moment? Are there any designers or brands you’re particularly excited about?

I’ve always been a big vintage buyer. I was buying a lot of Versace, weirdly, which I’d never bought before, because of Dario [Vitale] – he was so amazing. But obviously, I’m very excited for Pieter [Muller] to be there as well. I really did love that moment of Versace. I felt like there wasn’t really anything on the scene like that in terms of having these fun pieces you could work into your own wardrobe. That’s what I’m always looking for; I don’t want to have to buy a whole look to buy into the brand.

And now I’m buying a lot of Phoebe Philo – I’d probably say her the most.

What’s your most recent fashion purchase? 

I’ve got really into coloured jeans, and so I bought this banging purple pair from Chloe a few seasons ago and then they just came out with a bright red pair. The other thing is, I’m obsessed with purple – I have been for the last couple of years – and I found these amazing [corduroy pants] from Loewe. I’d never bought anything from Loewe, but since the Proenza [Schouler] boys have been there, it feels really cool.

Are there any Australian designers you love to wear?

I’ve always been such a massive fan of Christopher Esber. I love what he does. I’ve worn his clothes for quite a long time now and his accessories.

What’s a beauty product you always have in your bag?

It’s so weird. It’s lanolin nipple cream – I’m obsessed. It’s in my car, in my pocket, in my bag, in my suitcase. I have to have about a million packs with me because I can’t really survive without it. I put it on my eyelids, I put it on my lips. I don’t really wear make-up, so it feels like the best substitute for a look.

What’s the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you about yourself?

God, so many lessons. But recently, I think an attitude shift to being present in the moment as much as possible, because you really have this new sense of time and how fast it goes. You watch this living and breathing epitome of time in front of you, and it puts everything else into perspective in regards to your own parents and your friends, and the world around you because you’re watching this person who’s learning every single thing from the beginning.

Looking back on your modelling career, what’s the most valuable lesson the industry has taught you?

My mum and dad were always extremely strict about the kind of manners and attitude you need to bring to your work life and the people around you. I think that’s what I’ve really learnt – you bring the energy on set that you want to get back in return. You can be the creator of the atmosphere and what the day is going to be. What you’re going to be able to take from the day is kind of up to you, it’s your responsibility.

Another big lesson is that it takes a lot of hard work. It’s not just talent.

You’ve built a career that spans modelling, acting and advocacy. Is there a creative avenue you’d still love to explore?

I think acting probably is the biggest one. That feels like it’s just beginning. I’ve obviously had amazing moments where I’ve been able to flex that muscle, but it’s still fresh and new and a very exciting environment for me. So I’m really excited to lean in to more. I also want to grow my accessories brand, The Veil, which I recently started.

What is the next chapter for Gurls Talk, and are there any new projects you’re particularly excited about?

We’re doing a lot of research with particular universities in the States, which is really exciting so we can create our own information and toolkits that we hope work around the educational system. Schools have always been my dream … but it’s it’s obviously hard. There’s a lot of red tape when it comes to the school system. We’ll be having a lot more events to look forward to and doing a lot more workshops. 

What’s the one message you hope every young woman takes away from Gurls Talk?

That’s such a nice question. God, what would I say? I’m trying to think of what I would’ve wanted to hear.

I think I never really believed it, but one day you’ll meet yourself and you’ll know yourself better than you’ve ever done before and things will feel a lot clearer. You’ll feel a lot more grounded and you’ll understand the people around you. Perseverance and continuous curiosity will lead to an acceptance of self and inner growth, but it just takes a long time. When you’re younger, it feels like it’s unreachable, but it’s not. When you do get to know yourself, there are endless possibilities that are given to you, beyond your wildest dreams.

Limited tickets to NGV x Kerastase’s Power Talks in conversation with Adwoa Aboah are available online. Thursday October 1, 7pm–10pm, free entry.