Model diary: This is how Gustav Witzøe geared up for his NYFW runway moment

Thom Browne's autumn/winter 2023 runway showcase, inspired by The Little Prince, was one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the New York Fashion Week schedule. The designer's first show since September 2021, it boasted the brand's ubiquitous playfulness, wild proportions and signature preppy edge.

Amid the line-up of 64 looks, in a show-stopping, supersized bouclé tweed suit, was none other than Norwegian Gustav Witzøe, the world's youngest billionaire businessman as featured in our Apr-May Issue #5, making his international runway debut.

Join us as we follow Witzøe from his Casa Cipriani hotel room to the Shed, the show venue in Manhattan's Hudson Yards, and get the insider insight.

Related: Shop the look: A masterclass in minimalism from the NYFW crowd

I wake up very early to get to the gym. I'm feeling pretty nervous and excited at the same time – it's my first international fashion show and I get to walk for one of my favourite designers. My gym routine mixes cardio with weight training. I usually follow routines from my trainer back at home.

After the gym, I head back to my hotel, Casa Cipriani on South Street in the Financial District. I settle in for my usual breakfast during fashion week – a simple omelette and toast – and then I prep my face for the day with a facial wash, moisturiser and sunscreen.

I jump in an Uber to the show venue, a theatre space called the Shed in Hudson Yards, which is the new little town in New York. It's an area that has only recently been built up, filled with new architecturally beautiful buildings.

When I arrive, the atmosphere is calm and organised – the show starts at 5.00pm but the call time is a lot earlier.

I met Thom and the design team during the casting process, but I didn't know any of the other models before the show. Though, we did eventually become friends after spending so much time together.

The glam for the show takes around three hours. It takes a while to put the mask on, and they have to re-do the makeup on the eyebrow three times. It's a long process but it's exciting to see it come to life, and I'm so happy I could be a small part of Thom and the team's big vision. What I love about modelling is that I get to transform into someone else for a second. I feel so grateful.

And it's show time! The most challenging part of it all was walking in the clock-shaped heels on the sand – I was trying really hard not to topple over.

The show wraps up, but there are no celebrations for me. I have a meeting in Europe, so I go directly to the airport to catch my flight out of the city.