The British model, actress and mental health advocate will appear exclusively in conversation at the NGV on 1 October.
Adwoa Aboah is heading to Melbourne. The celebrated British model, actress and mental health advocate will appear exclusively in conversation at the inaugural NGV x Kérastase Power Talks on 1 October 2026, marking the first Australian iteration of Kérastase’s global Power Talks series.
A biannual event bringing together leading female voices across art, design and culture, Power Talks provides a platform for women whose ideas are shaping what comes next, recognising both their work and their contribution to the wider cultural landscape.
For its Australian debut, Kérastase is partnering with the National Gallery of Victoria for the first time, making this the first occasion the global haircare brand has joined forces with a cultural institution to deliver the series.
Previously staged in cities including Paris, Mumbai, Los Angeles and Warsaw, Power Talks has featured names including Demi Moore, Emily Ratajkowski and Amelia Dimoldenberg.
For Melbourne, the conversation turns to Adwoa – a model, actress, entrepreneur and one of the most prominent advocates for young women’s mental health working today.
Recognised as a ‘Next Generation Leader’ on the cover of Time Magazine, the 34-year-old has built an internationally recognised modelling career spanning some of fashion’s biggest titles and houses. She has appeared on the covers of and in editorials for Vogue, W, i-D, Dazed, and ELLE, while fronting campaigns for Dior, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Swarovski and Rimowa, and becoming the face of global brands including Nike, Jo Malone London and Rimmel.
Her career has also expanded into acting, with Aboah making her debut in Netflix’s acclaimed series Top Boy in 2019. She subsequently appeared in Disney+’s Willow, Lena Dunham’s Netflix series Too Much, and the feature film Satisfaction, which premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival. Next up, she will appear alongside Michael B. Jordan in the actor’s reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair, scheduled for release in 2027.
But it is Aboah’s work beyond fashion and entertainment that has become equally central to her global platform.
In 2015, she founded Gurls Talk, a nonprofit organisation providing early, accessible mental health support for girls and young women through evidence-based programs, trusted resources and community. The organisation has since convened events around the world, built an international community and reached millions globally.
Aboah has also brought her interest in design, fashion and entrepreneurship to the fore. In 2024, she launched The Veil, a handbag label created with designer Georgie Wright and inspired by the historic châtelaine – a modular system of chains that allowed women to carry daily essentials.
“Adwoa Aboah is a leading voice of her generation – not only through her work in fashion and entertainment, but through her commitment to mental health initiatives,” NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM. “We’re proud to be partnering with Kérastase to share Adwoa’s voice, creativity and advocacy with Australian audiences through the inaugural Power Talks event at the NGV.”
“As an embodiment of Kérastase’s legacy of empowerment, Time “Next Generation Leader” Adwoa Aboah is the ideal headliner for the inaugural NGV x Kérastase Power Talks,” continues Kérastase Brand Director Samuel Choong. “Through her global platform and Gurls Talk, she champions young women’s mental health, reinforcing Kérastase’s commitment to elevating diverse female voices.”
And for Adwoa, the Melbourne conversation will centre on the power of sharing personal stories, building confidence and navigating the realities of a career in the public eye.
“I can’t wait to visit Melbourne and the NGV for the first time for the NGV x Kérastase Power Talks,” she shares. “I truly believe that when we share our own stories and experiences it builds the foundation for a strong community, where we can empower ourselves and each other.
“I look forward to sharing my own career journey and creative practice – the successes, challenges and career-defining moments – and how we can help each build confidence on our own journeys – a topic close to my heart.”
NGV x Kérastase Power Talks: Adwoa Aboah takes place at NGV International on 1 October 2026. Admission is FREE, but bookings are essential. Tickets are available from 6:00PM this evening – Wednesday 16 September 2026 – via the NGV website.
Click here for more information.