ADWOA ABOAH

One day at a time. I live by that.

Even when I first started modeling, my loyalty to those girls like Molly Goddard, Ashley Williams, and Dilara Findikoglu was important. I like to support them as much as I can. For me, it's as important to walk in their show or wearing their clothes as it is doing a Marc Jacobs show.

In 2017, there is more than one way to be beautiful and more than one way to be cool. And when you put an image on the cover of 'Vogue,' that means something that goes beyond fashion.

I know what my causes are. And I care about them, so I'd rather get out there and talk about them than just play it safe.

I knew that modeling could open doors, and I would be able to travel and forge my own path. Being able to support yourself is amazing, and I think that was one of the things that appealed to me, but I didn't want to be in front of the camera at first.

What I would say to anyone who wants to be a model is, have something else. This shouldn't be your be-all and end-all in life: there are so many other amazing things to be done in the world. I also think that the industry really celebrates a woman who does something else. So keep at it, but always have something else.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is really exciting for me; when I was at school, I would always struggle to find make-up that suited my skin tone, and I certainly wouldn't find anything from a luxury brand. I'm glad that girls don't have that problem anymore.

I've been really lucky with the shows that I've done and the diverse line-ups I've been included in.

I used to get scouted outside of Topshop and stuff, and I was brought up in the fashion industry and did a few shoots when I was young, which was always fun to get dressed up.

I love being a mixed-race woman in 2017. I feel part of something big. There's this understanding that we're all in it together.

In private school, I definitely judged myself against the lighter-skinned girls. I wanted to have different hair. I wanted to fit in. I thought that was more beautiful.

I've always been obsessed with fashion.

I spent so long trying to be other people, and it made me really deeply unhappy.

I've been lucky enough to have been given a platform through modeling, so now I can use it as an activist.

I think if you don't like being in your skin, it doesn't matter how many times people say you're beautiful, how many jobs you get, or whatever it is - I just didn't want to be Adwoa.

It has to be something people prioritize - it should be the number-one priority: representing all types of beauty, all types of shapes and sizes.

I'm a Taurus; I need a home.

I would like to give acting a go. I studied it for a long time; I just want to make sure when I do it I am able to put in as much effort as I do to modeling.

Gurls Talk is my baby. It's just about opening up a space within schools where we as women and girls can talk about whatever we want.

It's really difficult seeing your role model or your parent cry.

Like anyone else, I can fall into these massive Instagram holes and start comparing myself to other people.

I always believed that I had to pretend to be happy. But what I've learned is that it doesn't matter what race or class or demographic you come from. I truly believe that sadness is relative.

I think losing out on jobs and, you know, being judged on your appearance... I definitely grew a second skin and got used to it, but more so now, I've realised it definitely contributed to a lot of things I feel about myself.

School was unbelievably painful. It was five years of being pretty sad.

I'm a bit of an attention seeker, so I'm always looking for a table or some height to get up on and dance.