Namita Nayyar:
You advocate balanced nutrition. What does a typical day on your plate look like – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks?
Alena Mills:
I naturally gravitate toward a fairly simple, balanced way of eating. I usually eat two main meals a day rather than constantly snacking, simply because that’s what feels best for my body. My meals are generally protein-focused, with plenty of greens, fiber, and slower-digesting carbohydrates for sustained energy. Breakfast is usually something nourishing but clean, and dinner tends to be my more substantial meal. I’m not someone who naturally craves sweets very much, which definitely helps, but overall I believe consistency matters more than perfection.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you maintain healthy eating habits during fashion weeks and private dinners hosted by luxury brands?
Alena Mills:
Honestly, during fashion weeks, it’s not always easy. Those periods are incredibly intense — long days, constant movement, fittings, events, unpredictable schedules — and sometimes the biggest challenge is simply finding time to eat properly rather than making the “perfect” choice. That said, I do try to stay intentional.
For private events or formal dinners, dietary preferences can usually be communicated in advance, so that part is manageable. The harder part is the in-between moments — when you’re exhausted, moving between commitments, and tempted to eat whatever is quickest. So for me, it’s less about perfection and more about making the best possible choices within reality.
Namita Nayyar:
Are there any non-negotiable in your diet (e.g., hydration targets, protein intake, no sugar) and any foods you enjoy without guilt?
Alena Mills:
I don’t believe in extreme restriction. I naturally don’t crave sugar very much, so that’s never been a major challenge for me. My main focus is getting enough protein, fibre, hydration, and foods that genuinely make me feel energized. If there’s one weakness, it’s probably fresh bread and pastries — especially in Paris, which doesn’t exactly make discipline easy. But I also don’t believe in guilt around food. If I choose to enjoy something, I enjoy it. Balance is healthier than obsession.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you follow any specific eating pattern (e.g., intermittent fasting, plant-based leaning, Mediterranean) and why did you choose it?
Alena Mills:
I wouldn’t say I rigidly follow a named diet, but my eating rhythm often naturally resembles intermittent fasting. I’m not someone who wakes up immediately wanting a big breakfast, so my first meal tends to be later in the day depending on my schedule. More than following a trend, I simply try to listen to what genuinely works for my body — prioritizing stable energy, protein, fiber, and sustainability. For me, what matters most is consistency and feeling well, not labels.
Namita Nayyar:
From red carpet events to travel days, your skin and hair always look healthy. What is your core non-negotiable skincare routine (AM and PM)?
Alena Mills:
Consistency. No matter how busy life gets, proper skincare at home is essential for me — cleansing well, hydration, serums, and making sure my skin barrier stays supported, especially after long-haul travel. Flights are incredibly dehydrating, so hydration becomes even more important — both externally and internally. I also believe professional maintenance matters. When I’m not in a busy event period, I make time for facials, skin treatments, and preventative care. For me, skincare is less about quick fixes and much more about long-term consistency.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you have a specific hair care ritual that protects against heat styling, chlorine from tennis/swimming, and airplane air?
Alena Mills:
I take a very protective approach to hair care, especially because maintaining healthy blonde hair requires consistency. I try to minimize unnecessary heat styling whenever possible, and when I do use heat, proper thermal protection is absolutely essential. I’m also mindful about sun exposure, travel dehydration, and overall nourishment, because healthy hair is never just about what you apply externally. Hydration, nutrition, and general wellbeing all play a role. I think beauty works best when approached holistically.
Namita Nayyar:
How much of your beauty results come from topical products vs. internal factors like sleep, stress, or nutrition?
Alena Mills:
For me, internal factors come first — absolutely. Topical skincare and beauty products matter, of course, but they can only do so much if the foundation isn’t there. Sleep, stress levels, nutrition, hydration, and nervous system balance have a much bigger impact than most people realize. I genuinely value sleep, and I think that’s one of the best beauty investments you can make.
Recovery is when your body restores itself — your skin, your energy, even the way your face looks. Stress is another huge factor. You can have the most expensive skincare in the world, but chronic stress will still show. So for me, beauty is always internal first, external second.
Namita Nayyar:
What is one beauty mistake you made in your 20s that you would warn younger Alena about?
Alena Mills:
Probably making impulsive aesthetic decisions without thinking long-term, like tattoos. When you’re younger, you sometimes make choices based on a moment, a mood, or a trend, without really understanding how your perspective will evolve. If I could give younger Alena advice, it would be to think more carefully before making permanent decisions — especially anything aesthetic that may not reflect who you become later. Beauty should evolve with you, not become something you have to undo.
Namita Nayyar:
You have a background in economics and psychology, yet you are now a fashion and lifestyle creator. What was the turning point that made you pivot into this creative path?
Alena Mills:
In some ways, it didn’t feel like a dramatic pivot — more like returning to something that had always been part of me. Fashion, aesthetics, and visual storytelling have fascinated me since childhood. My academic path included more traditional directions first, but creativity was always there in parallel. Psychology was something I genuinely chose for myself because I’ve always been deeply interested in human behavior, growth, and self-development.
Fashion and lifestyle, on the other hand, speak to a completely different side of my personality — the visual, intuitive, creative side. If I had to name a defining moment, it would probably be entering the fashion world at a deeper level and being invited to major fashion events that made me realize this wasn’t just a personal interest — it was a world I genuinely belonged in. That made the creative path feel not only natural, but inevitable.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
