Steph Adams (@stephadams2012, stephadams.com), who received two prestigious awards in 2023 - the World Women Leader Award and the Global Recognition Award - has radically changed her life more than once and has had success every time. The model and author, whose image on billboards adorned the European capitals, first became an art director for the most famous glossy magazines, then a digital fashion influencer, and today is the author of world bestsellers in which celebrities from all over the world share stories of their ups and downs. Steph believes that stories like these can inspire many to change their lives for the better. As, in our opinion, has her own.

Text: Marianna Khodash, Karina Evans

What brought you to the world of fashion?
I was always obsessed with reading fashion magazines as a young girl. When I was sixteen, a photographer approached me at my mother's wedding and talked to me about about the possibility of becoming a model. I joined an agency and modelled in Australia for ten years and then internationally before transitioning to becoming an Art Director and Graphic Designer, finishing my Bachelor of Arts at Curtain University.
For a long time you worked as an art director in glossy magazines, what could you tell us about this experience?
I worked at Vogue, Marie Claire, Grazia and Harper's Bazaar in Australia, and then when the recession came, many of the other graphic designers had to be cut. They moved me across eight magazines and kept me on. This was when I realised how valuable my skills as an Art Director had become. When I moved to London, I continued to work in glossy magazines - British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Elle, Conde Nast Traveler and others.
Who are your favorite designers?
I love mixing haute couture with mass market items. I collect classic pieces that will last me for years, such as bags and jackets from Dior, Chanel, Max Mara, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, and then mix them with inexpensive items from Zara, Witchery and vintage stores.
I value expensive things for how they are made, not for the label. The quality and craftsmanship of Dior and Chanel is simply superb.

Tell us about your first book, how did the idea of writing it come about?
I really wanted to live according to my own schedule and have more free time. So I opened a design studio, and then a client once asked me to write a book that could decorate a coffee table. This was followed by a book about luxury hotels, and then Good to Glow.
When I started interviewing celebrities for my website, my co-author approached me about writing a book of healthy eating recipes. The result is "Good to Glow" - a wonderful selection of gluten-free recipes from the best hotels, spas, organic cafes, top models, designers, celebrity fitness trainers and health experts from around the world. A true bible for people interested in healthy living, and it has become a bestseller!
The next book was &ldquo;The Juggle&rdquo;, in which famous women share their experiences of motherhood, then &ldquo;The Game Changers&rdquo; was published - an interview about the success stories of such famous women as Meghan Markle, top model Elle Macpherson, the creators of their own beauty brands Charlotte Tilbury and Barbara Sturm, actress Olivia Palermo, designer Rachel Zoe and others. It was followed by &ldquo;Style in Paris&rdquo; and &ldquo;Fashion Icons,&rdquo; in which celebrities talk about their style.
One of your books, &ldquo;Citations d&rsquo;Amour,&rdquo; contains famous sayings about love. What is love for you?
True love is about the chemistry and similarity of interests in a union. A certain level of respect for each other and the ability to have a good time together. Your loved one must be your best friend.
What advice would you give to women who want to succeed?
Find something you are passionate about and truly enjoy. Every month, formulate your dreams and goals that you want to achieve. And try to find a balance between your daily work and what you do to achieve your end goal.

How do you have enough energy and time to do everything?
Ever since my modeling days, I have been taking care of myself through fitness and healthy eating. I always have spinach smoothies with protein powder according to the recipe from my own book &ldquo;Good to Glow&rdquo;, drink spirulina and ashwagandha tablets to restore energy and get good sleep. Sometimes it is simply necessary to restore strength, because I am the mother of two sons!
What inspires you most and what helps you overcome the many stresses of modern reality?
We are constantly stressed, especially if we don't take care of ourselves. Life can be really hard sometimes, and Instagram doesn't always show that. Instagram is a form of escapism, but I don't think people would be as interested in it if it reflected real life. (Smiles.)
There are days when my six-year-old son throws tantrums and refuses to do anything, and at those times inspiration is hard to find. But I know that everything depends on me. I simply cannot function if I don't have time for myself, exercise, healthy eating and good sleep.
I'm inspired by travel to Paris, Cannes and Venice, where I am left to my own devices and enjoy immersing myself in the local culture, feeding my soul with it.
In your books, you focus on women's empowerment. What do the words &ldquo;strong woman&rdquo; mean to you?
I've interviewed many strong women and the one quality they all have in common is that they weren't afraid to fail and kept going even in the toughest times.
The stories of The Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington, Jo Malone perfume creator Jo Malone, and model and philanthropist Noella Musunka, featured in the Game Changers Book, chronicle the incredible rise of women after hitting rock bottom. And such stories can inspire and change someone's life.

What qualities should a strong woman possess?
I believe that if you channel your energy in the right direction, it will become a powerful drive in achieving everything you set out to.&nbsp; Staying true to who you are and working with passion, ambition, determination and kindness.
What is your own recipe for success?
Although I had a two decade career in the fashion industry, it still wasn&rsquo;t easy to move into the field as a digital creator. I spent over 7 years attending Paris Fashion Week before I was even noticed by brands such as Dior. Things don&rsquo;t just happen for you, you have to work hard and make it happen. Also you can&rsquo;t worry about what other people think of you. Just take &nbsp;action. Keep moving forward even when you don&rsquo;t feel like it. Find different paths, because the road is not always straight. My advice: trust the Universe and it will support you.
&nbsp;

Do you have ideas for future books?
Yes, and one of them will be released in 2024.
Do you have a favorite quote?
&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to see the whole staircase leading up to take the first step.&rdquo; Martin Luther King Jr.
What would you like to wish our readers?
Stay true to yourself and be able to recognize the angelic guides along your path in the people you meet. Sometimes they are the ones you least expect to help you.

Model: STEPH ADAMS @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephadams2012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stephadams2012</a> <a href="https://stephadams.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stephadams.com</a>
Photo: MATTEO COLSON
Make up: NAELLE KHELFAOUI
PR: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/SAY__MEDIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAY__MEDIA</a>

Steph Adams: “Trust in yourself to make things happen!”

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