It’s been years since I last met Ashley Graham. She graced Stylist’s front cover in October 2015, looking luminous in a simple cream knit. Then a young and nervous fashion editor, I flew out to New York to style her, and she was divine. So fun, open and chatty, teaching me what ‘Bye, Felicia’ meant and eating lunch with the team. This kind of realness can be elusive with big talents, and I really, really appreciated it.

So, when Calzedonia asked me if I’d like to speak to Graham at its Calzedomania event, I was thrilled. The show was cast using non-professional models to promote diversity: the perfect event for Ashley Graham to attend, given that she’s long been an advocate for representation and inclusion within the fashion industry.  

It has, in fact, been a major season for her, and her 21.5 million Instagram followers have been watching as she has aced fashion month. Graham has walked for Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana and Boss, and she opened for Karoline Vitto – the show that got everyone talking in the best possible way – for the designer’s first show, she sent 30 curve girls down the runway at Milan fashion week. 

As I waited on the red carpet of Calzedomania for a brief chat, she approached beaming and was as lovely as ever. I explained that we’d shot together previously, and she made a comment about things coming full circle. Then we were off.

At London Fashion Week, Ashley opened shows for Matty Bovan and Harris Reed, two major design players. With a live catwalk the pressure is on, so I asked Graham about confidence. 

“Honestly the people that I am walking for really pump me up,” she shared. “Harris and Matty are two of the nicest, nicest people that I know and to be able to work with them brings so much confidence to the day, as I know that I am walking with a purpose, for a designer who is really making a difference and also that makes me feel beautiful.”

Graham was wearing a striking spiky knitted dress by Chet Lo, who also shows in London. So along with Bovan and Reed, she was really giving the young London designers some love. With over 20 years of modelling experience, I knew she’d have some styling tips for me. 

On that evening’s outfit, Graham said: “I feel like tonight Calzedonia has definitely finished my look. I feel like this is the type of dress that is so mini, that it’s fun to be able to put a pantyhose [tights, to those of us in the UK] with it. It’s very fun. I am really having fun tonight; it feels like a good dress-up moment.”

While I was speaking to Graham, a fellow partygoer leant over and told me to raise my camera to get a better shot. When I thanked her, she sweetly said: “Of course, I want you to be able to use your footage.” It was apt as it’s this type of solidarity and kindness that I think of as being very Ashley Graham. With a quick “nice to see you again”, Graham was off into the night to enjoy the party. My love for her as surely the nicest supermodel around remained undiminished. Cheers to that.  

Images: Jason Lloyd Evans; Getty; Silja Magg