Getting Ready With Nara Smith For The Fashion Awards 2024
A Club sandwich and a plate of French fries have just arrived on a gleaming tray in Nara Smith’s hotel room. Draped in a plush dressing gown, the TikTok sensation and mother of three is savouring a rare quiet moment before the whirlwind of The Fashion Awards 2024 in London’s Royal Albert Hall.
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Few content creators have achieved Smith’s meteoric rise. At just 23 years old, the South African-German model has intrigued the internet with her home cooking videos that fall somewhere between Martha Stewart and a Gen Z performance art project.
From whipping up homemade granola, Cola and roast dinners to creating her own batch of sunscreen for her children and husband, fellow model Lucky Blue Smith, her videos offer an interesting glimpse into the life of the 20-something navigating motherhood, style and sustenance – all while wearing waist-cinching, figure-skimming dresses from the latest designer collections.
With over 11 million TikTok followers and many more millions of impressions per post, Nara has sparked global debates about modern motherhood and what it means to be a true social media star. Yet, in person, her energy feels refreshingly grounded. The hushed monotones of her video voiceovers give way to a bubbly, giggling charm as she chats about her excitement and preparations for the big night.
ELLE UK caught up with Smith before the red carpet event to find out more…
On her look for the night
I'm wearing an amazing dress from the H&M studio holiday collection. It's a blush, nude colour, and it has these amazing gold pieces in the front that are so shimmery and beautiful once the light catches them. It has a corset top and flowy skirt.
On her relationship with H&M
Everyone has a certain memory with H&M, I’ve never met somebody that doesn't. Whether you need a dress for something, you rush to H&M, or you need socks because you didn't pack them you run to H&M. When I grew up, every time I needed something, my mum would take me there. So it's always such a nostalgic feeling being back and working with them.
On her accessories
I’m wearing all Pandora – my rings, earrings and necklace are all from the brand. I feel like it's a nice touch because they're, of course, sponsoring the awards this year.
On her glam
We went for something very fun with the hair. We slicked the bob. We actually cut my hair today. So we cut my bangs more blunt and we cut the back shorter, just to make sure that it was perfectly lined up.
Then for the makeup, we didn't want something too dramatic, but still something that felt fun. So we did a lash that looks a little doll-like with one tiny corner lash on the bottom corner. I’m wearing the MAC chestnut lip liner, the Refy blur lip liner and a gloss on top. My Hourglass concealer is an absolute essential – being a mum I need a lot of concealer under my eyes.
On her getting ready rituals
This might sound really boring, but a hot cup of tea. Glam to me is the ultimate relaxation, I can just sit back and relax and people are pampering me and taking care of me and making me look great. As soon as the glam comes together and you put on the dress, you just feel like a completely different person. That gives me the energy to go and hit the carpet.
On her playlist
A lot of Billie Eilish and Raye. I love Raye. I hope that I bump into her tonight.
On her pre-event snack choices
French fries. Always. Today it's a Club sandwich too but usually, it's just fries. Pasta is always really good too, I want something that's going to keep me satisfied for a long time, because you never really know what the food situation is once you leave the hotel.
On her style evolution
I've never really followed trends or followed what people were doing, just because I know trends fade. I feel like as long as it's timeless and fun, that's what I gravitate towards. When I was pregnant, I got really into wearing dresses, because before that, I would never, ever wear a dress. I don't know what it was, it just never really spoke to me. I love a good dress that's really easy to throw on or a pair of well-tailored pants. I think it's all about the quality of the garment and how it fits my body. That's what I pay the most attention to.
On her relationship with fashion
I love fashion, and I feel like I spend so much time in the kitchen, so why not wear my favourite pieces while cooking? That way I play dress up every single day it's so much fun.
You can shop Nara Smith's H&M Holiday Collection dress now.
Sprangled corset dress
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