How Avanti Nagrath preps for the fashion week marathon

The autumn/winter 25 ready-to-wear season is in full swing. Ever wondered what fashion week looks like from the other side? Here, model Avanti Nagrath, who’s been doing the London-Milan-Paris circuit since 2022, gives us a peek into everything she does leading up to a weeks-long marathon of being booked and busy. For the 23-year-old Delhi native, staying in top form isn’t about last-minute prep; it’s about maintaining a balanced routine all year long.

Below, she talks about boxing, her surprisingly simple skincare routine, and all the prep that goes into getting runway ready.

Fashion month is a whirlwind! Do you switch up your routine leading up to it?

My schedule is very erratic, but my routine remains the same. That means sleeping on time, working out regularly, making sure I have enough water, and eating healthy—though I love a good cheat meal. So, whether it’s the weeks before fashion month or during a quiet period, it’s more or less the same because it’s really a lifestyle.

What’s your favourite cheat meal?

Nothing beats a nice, warm pizza!

What does your fitness regimen look like? Do you tweak it before fashion month?

At this point, working out is like a hobby for me because I really enjoy it and love the post-workout feeling. I work out a minimum of four days a week. When I’m in Paris I usually workout with my friends Manvi [Bhatnagar, stylist] and Kanika [Agarwal, fashion designer]. I love boxing and running, so there’s a lot of cardio involved, but I also mix in yoga and Pilates depending on my mood. If I have a really intense workout one day, I’ll do something lighter the next. I really like switching it up and not doing the same thing every day.

How do you fuel your body between casting calls and workouts?

When I have time, I cook and prep my own meals. I love home-cooked meals—my go-to is khichdi with curd. I also eat a lot of eggs (which are a great source of protein), chicken, and fish with green vegetables and rice. I have a nutritionist who advises me, but I also love discovering new recipes on Instagram.

What does your skincare routine look like?

I don’t have an elaborate skincare routine but the biggest tip I have is to always wash your face! I wash my face at least twice a day, even if I’m not wearing make-up, just to remove anything I might’ve picked up from walking outside. When I’m working, the first thing I do is take my make-up off with the micellar water from Bioderma. I use it all the time, even when I’m without make-up sometimes just to cleanse my face. Then, I hydrate my face with moisturiser and sunscreen. I use the one from Avi Skincare, it’s super light and keeps my face hydrated. On non-working days, I make sure to let my skin breathe. Oh, and a good lip balm! I use the Inde Wild Dewy Lip Treatment a lot. It’s literally in my bag all the time.

Do you get any in-salon treatments?

Just before fashion month, I try to keep my skin as calm as possible. I don’t get any facials because they can cause redness. But I do get a HydraFacial beforehand—it gives me a nice glow without irritation. The rest is literally just lots of moisturising. 

Who’s on your speed dial for skin emergencies?

For SOS situations, I dial up Dr Anju Mangla back home in New Delhi. She’s amazing.

What about brows and nails?

I don’t get my brows done because a lot of make-up artists at shows prefer thicker brows to work with. Every month or so I just get the extra hair removed—but only if it starts looking like a jungle. My nails are always clear and short, I just get a regular manicure to keep it clean. There’s manicurists backstage at almost every show and they have their own specific thing so it’s just easier for them to work with.

And your hair care routine?

I oil my hair at least once a month—it’s a bit difficult to do it regularly while the shows are on because I’m running around a lot. When I’m in India, I put curd in my hair regularly. I leave it on for 15 minutes and it feels nice and cold! And before the shows, I get a Kérastase hair spa.

How do you start your days when the shows are on?

My days depend on the show schedule. If I get a morning to myself, I wake up, have my breakfast and then do a bit of stretching or yoga to start my day slowly. But most days I don’t have time because the call times are really early. I literally just wake up, have coffee, and run to work. It’s a lot of running around because sometimes there are two or three shows in a day.

This one time, I did two castings and three shows in a day, and I reached my last show 25 minutes before it started. I had five people doing my hair and make-up—that’s the quickest I’ve gotten ready before a show! Everything was so crazy. I loved that rush so much.

How do you spend your days off in Paris?

I usually hang out with my friends. We go on bike rides by the river, walk around Marais or check out exhibitions that are on. We always make it a point to visit Café Fika, Wild & The Moon which has great vegan food, and Kiliwatch for some vintage shopping.

What’s the one thing you make sure you do before all the madness starts?

Sleep! Honestly, I probably get in so much sleep that I can survive the entire month because it gets hectic. I usually get only four to five hours of sleep when it’s on. It’s just like you just operate on this battery, which is just caffeine. In my case, it’s matcha. Even if I go to an after-party, I don’t drink too much so I never wake up with a hangover.

How do you unwind after a long month of shows and transition back to a more relaxed schedule?

The week after the shows is a little dull and it’s literally the only time you actually get to relax. There’s not too much work going on because everyone’s resting. My body always feels exhausted, so I take it easy with stretching, massages, and whatever makes me feel good. I also treat myself to a hair spa since my hair goes through so much during the shows. Depending on how my skin is, I might try a facial. It’s my recoup week before getting back into my routine!