Why Did Ashley Graham Skip Most of Fashion Week?

It’s hard to miss Ashley Graham, but the opposite’s also true: when she doesn’t turn up at New York Fashion Week, we miss her. A lot.

So it went this season, as the supermodel skipped out on all but Michael Kors. Why? Turns out she booked a big shoot (“Huge,” she winked) somewhere in St. Tropez. “You’ll see,” she said, “It’s going to be big.”

Graham was perched in a Soho penthouse with me and Minnie Mouse, and yes, they both seem taller in person. The 30-year-old was hosting friends—stylist Law Roach, hair queen Jen Atkin, nail artist Britney Tokyo, and a slew of Instagirls—in honor of the Disney dame’s 90th birthday. There were balloons. There were bows. There were (many) drinks. And though Minnie (Ms. Mouse?) couldn’t chat, Graham filled us in on her latest adventures in style.

There were a lot of cat prints on the runway this season, and Calvin Klein did sharks. Can Minnie make mice the next fashion animal?

Do you know what’s funny? I didn’t know she was a mouse as a kid. My mom had to tell me. I thought she was a girl; you know, the fun, bold best friend. The charismatic one that dares you to do things. And she’s really making it work—she’s 90 years old and still married!

Are she and Mickey really married? I thought they were just dating!

You’re talking to a Christian girl who waited until she was married to have sex with her husband. So I always assumed she’s married! I mean, maybe they’re just best friends who kiss? But no. They’re in love. They’re married.

Minnie is a big fan of hair accessories, but you’re more of a ponytail girl…

Always. I like it high and tight, like really tight. And before it’s done up, I take an Advil, because a tight ponytail is a commitment and sometimes it hurts.

The high ponytail is the stiletto of hairstyles?

I think they hurt worse than high shoes! I think heels can be really comfortable.

OMG you’re one of those. Okay. It’s fall but it’s still hitting 80 degrees or higher in most of the country. And I know you love shapewear. What’s your advice for wearing it in the heat?

Unfortunately there’s no quick fix; you just do it. But if you can wear something really light and sheer over it, that helps. Right now, I’m wearing a Spanx power panel and a Wolford bodysuit, and it’s in a medium. So for all those girls who think they can’t fit into Wolford, trust me, you can.

How about melt-proof makeup, especially in the rain?

Do you know, my favorite trick is using a Revlon Colorstay eye pencil as a lip liner. It stays all night and it’s a really great smoky shade… you can do a stain, too, but I find with lip stains, sometimes they fade [in the middle], and then you get like a butthole lip. Who has time for that?

Yikes. Will avoid. Did you know the music video you did with Adam Levine, Girls Like You, has almost a billion views on YouTube?

I didn’t, but it doesn’t surprise me. That video is so genius because it has so many different women in it, I mean, J-Lo and Cardi B and Ellen… I was watching the final product, and I was like, “This shouldn’t be something special. Having diversity and representation, so many different body types and ages and ethnicities, that’s how it should be in our industry. We should learn from this. It’s not about getting one token person and claiming you’re diverse; it’s about creating a community of real women.” And you can see how many people want that, because it has so many views!

Did you get to hang with anyone on set?

Tiffany Haddish was shooting right before me, so I saw her very briefly. But they plugged all of us in with special effects. I mean, of course I met Adam, because we filmed together. And of course, the first thing I blurted out was, “My mother thinks you’re amazing. My mom says she wants to make out with you.”

I like that your mom told you that.

My mom and I talk about everything. I hear it all. And she’s single now, so I’m trying to help her date more. I want to get on Raya, but it’s hard!

You can’t get on Raya? You’re one of the hottest women in the world.

I’m married! [Laughing] Can you imagine if I just signed myself up? But my mom, yeah, I’d like to help her out on the apps. Give her some dating advice.

You’re very open about how you waited until marriage to sleep with your husband. Do you tell your mom to wait, too?

I mean, yes, but also, maybe not…? My mom was married for 26 years. I’ve not been in her shoes. I don’t know how it feels to be her, and I can’t dictate how she chooses to navigate this part of her life, because that’s not right. I mean really, who am I to say? Also, I waited to sleep with [my husband], but I wasn’t a virgin walking into my marriage. So I can’t judge what anyone else does, in terms of sex. Especially not my mom!