Take a deep breath. Smell that in the air? That would be the palpable jittery excitement of the first day of London Fashion Week. And who knows Fashion Week better than the models who rule the catwalk?

LFW model Taja Feistner is a Midwesterner who’s walked for the likes of Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, but in her spare time, is also is an outspoken environmental activist.

We chat to her about wild Fashion Week memories, beauty tips and the stark realities of modelling…

Who are you walking for?
Your guess is as good as mine! Confirmations for castings sometimes don’t come in until hours before the show. You can’t count your shows until you’re literally on the runway because cancellations can happen at any moment. They really like to keep you on your toes!
 
What was your first ever LFW outfit?
If I’m remembering correctly, it was this beautiful baby-blue dress-coat in Emilia Wickstead’s SS15 show.
 
What’s been your best Fashion Week memory?
My best memory as in “I-will-never-ever-forget-this” was in Milan the night before my very first Dolce & Gabbana show. I was all excited thinking I’m going to get the best night’s sleep, until my roommate decided to go out clubbing, brought a girl home with her and they stayed in the bed next to me! I was checking my phone and tossing and turning to make it clear I was awake for all of it. Needless to say, I wasn’t too pleased with the situation at the time but now I get a good laugh about it. 
 
Top tip for someone new to fashion week?
Now is not the time to pack light – leave your inhibitions behind! Fashion Week is like Halloween – you can dress up, be totally ridiculous, and wear looks that you never would in day-to-day life. Have fun with it!
 
How do you prep?
I usually have sort of a big shopping spree prior to Fashion Week so I can refresh my wardrobe. Other than that it’s all about making sure I’m mentally and physically my best.

Best beauty product?
I try to keep my skincare as organic and natural as possible. That’s why I love Intelligent Nutrients. They have a nourishing tonic that really helps refresh my skin especially when I’ve had to do a lot of flying.
 
Best beauty tip?
Tea tree oil and toothpaste are my top offenders when it comes to fighting off pesky pimples quickly.
 
Best fashion item?
I’m really feeling a good 70s-style silk headscarf.
 
One thing most people don’t know about fashion week is…
You’ve probably heard this before, but it truly is one of the most intense times of the year for the models who do it. I think a lot of people probably only see the excitement of the runway show or glamorous parties, but behind the scenes there is usually at least one breakdown, exhaustion, immense pressure to do well, skin and hair damage, and loads of different egos colliding. But the moments on the runway seem to make it all worth it.
 
What show are you most looking forward to and why?
From a spectator perspective I’m always quite curious to see what Gucci has up their sleeve. But this season it’s really all about what Riccardo is debuting at Burberry and Hedi at Céline.