Nara Smith’s World: Her New Cookbook and Life Advice

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

If you’ve spent any time on social media in the past few years, you’ve probably watched Nara Smith make something from scratch that most of us would happily pick up from the store, and she does it all while wearing pieces most of us would never risk near a stovetop—a floor-length gown worn while kneading sourdough, a vegetable-embroidered Schiaparelli jacket straight off the runway at the stove, tulle that most would save for a festive occasion getting its moment to be worn. It all started with grilled cheese. Smith, a former IMG model who was scouted at 14, posted one video, and the internet couldn’t get enough, so she kept going. Millions of views later, that simple idea has taken her to fashion weeks and red carpets around the world. Her next stop? The bookshelves with her first-ever cookbook, Homemade.

Spend a little time with Smith, though, and it becomes clear the gowns were never about spectacle. She started dressing up at home during the pandemic, when her closet was full of beautiful pieces with nowhere to go, and her daughter loved it so much that it became a way for the two of them to connect. These days, her mornings start at 6 a.m. so she can do her skincare and get dressed before her four kids wake up. Then comes breakfast, school drop-off, and a full day of filming and meetings before everyone is back home for dinner. She’s the first to admit that balance is something you never fully achieve. To Smith, life comes in seasons, and this one belongs to Homemade. Come with us to explore her world.

Give us a peek into your world. What does a typical day in your life look like right now?