Ashley Graham’s journey through the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week.

Ashley Graham has barely spent a day in Milan, yet she’s already indulged in pasta thrice. “This is the kind of fashion week experience we love to hear about,” I mention to her, resisting the temptation to inquire about each dish in detail. “When in Italy!” she exclaims with a smile, amidst pre-show glam for the Alberta Ferretti show later in the evening.

The American model and the Italian fashion doyenne certainly know how to enjoy themselves. Graham describes Mrs. Ferretti as the epitome of sweetness, with whom she shares a delightful camaraderie. They collaborated on Graham’s striking Oscars 2023 ensemble: a sheer wraparound creation adorned with dramatic winged sleeves—a showstopper born from their combined creative visions. “How fabulous!” Mrs. Ferretti exclaimed, known for her exquisitely delicate and ethereal dresses. Graham praises her as effortlessly easy-going despite the challenges of running a business. She’s excited to witness Ferretti’s autumn/winter 2024 collection from the front row, especially after witnessing the hustle and bustle of Ferretti’s team in the atelier.But first, there’s the matter of perfecting the “dolce vita eye” and achieving glowy skin inspired by her friend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, whom Graham humorously notes as the go-to for comprehensive kids’ product reviews—an invaluable resource for the sleep-deprived. Breaking her own mother’s fashion rules tonight, Graham adorns herself in black and brown—a classic slip complemented by a “really cool” leather trench coat, geometric gold jewelry, and a chocolate-colored handbag. She explains her choice as a nod to an Italian brand known for its timeless elegance—a fail-safe option for feeling glamorous and refined, a style that effortlessly straddles the line between glam and girl-next-door.

Despite her 25 years in the modeling industry, Graham acknowledges that not every luxury brand embraces diversity as warmly as Mrs. Ferretti’s. For her, diversity in fashion remains an ongoing uphill battle, with each season bringing a mix of hope and disappointment as the runways continue to lack representation of all body types. She emphasizes the need for change, citing budget constraints, oversight, and a reluctance to learn garment grading as factors contributing to the industry’s lack of inclusivity—a concerning trend she feels is regressive. Yet, Graham remains a relentless advocate for women, determined to speak out until meaningful change occurs, ensuring future generations of girls won’t face the same challenges.

As she gears up for Milan and Paris Fashion Week, with a quick detour to New Jersey to visit family, Graham reveals her secret to managing her hectic schedule with her signature megawatt smile: she’s a great plane sleeper. Armed with her game face, vitamins, workouts, and an unwavering commitment to enjoying life’s pleasures—especially pasta while in Italy—Graham embodies resilience and positivity amidst the fashion world’s ebbs and flows.