Anok Yai Named 2025 Model of the Year

The British Style Awards have introduced their 2025 Mannequin of the 12 months weeks earlier than the precise ceremony — and the glory belongs to Sudanese-American supermodel Anok Yai, whose meteoric rise continues to reshape the worldwide vogue panorama.

“A defining power in in the present day’s vogue panorama, Anok’s influence transcends the runway—from redefining magnificence requirements to championing artistry and illustration on a world stage,” the British Style Council (BFC) stated in a press release on Instagram. “Her affect continues to form tradition and encourage the subsequent technology.”

For Yai, 27, the popularity marks a full-circle second in a journey that started by likelihood. In 2017, whereas attending Howard College’s Homecoming, a candid photograph of her glowing within the crowd went viral — catapulting the then-college scholar into the world of excessive vogue. That viral second led to modeling contracts and a string of alternatives that reworked her into one of many business’s most recognizable faces.

Since then, Yai has dominated runways and campaigns throughout the globe. As reported by Dazed, this yr alone, she opened exhibits for Ferragamo, Coperni, and Hugo Boss, and closed for Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Vetements, and Messika. Her presence has been equally commanding at Saint Laurent, Mugler, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, and Chanel beneath Matthieu Blazy’s path.

Past the runway, Yai continues to form fashionable vogue imagery. She has fronted Mugler’s Alien perfume marketing campaign, appeared in Hole’s newest advertisements, and featured within the revived Victoria’s Secret Style Present. Her editorial presence has been equally highly effective, with latest covers for Vogue France, Excellent, and Attract — the latter shared with final yr’s winner, Alex Consani.

Breaking with custom, the BFC didn’t launch a shortlist this yr. As a substitute, a personal panel of business insiders — together with BFC CEO Laura Weir, photographer Campbell Addy, and stylist Carlos Nazario — unanimously chosen Yai because the winner.

Yai now joins the ranks of vogue legends like Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Kate Moss, who holds the report with three wins. As solely the second Black mannequin to ever open a Prada present, following Naomi Campbell, Yai’s success has been pivotal in broadening illustration for dark-skinned Black ladies in luxurious vogue.

Along with her newest accolade, Yai’s affect reaches far past modeling — solidifying her standing as a cultural trailblazer and a logo of recent magnificence.

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