It took the fashion industry long enough, but the moment has finally arrived.
Anok Yai is officially Model of the Year, and the reaction across the fashion world is one giant, very glamorous sigh of “about time.”
Yai’s journey to supermodel status began in the most unexpected way in 2017 when a stunning candid photo of her at a Howard University homecoming party went viral on Twitter. Practically overnight, she became the industry’s most sought after new face. Top agencies scrambled to sign her before she eventually joined Next Model Management and stepped into the global spotlight.
By 2018, Yai was already making history. She became the first Black model since Naomi Campbell in 1997 to open a Prada runway show, instantly solidifying her as one of the most important new forces in high fashion. From there, she stacked achievement after achievement, landing global beauty deals with Estée Lauder, gracing the covers of Vogue and Elle, and delivering unforgettable runway moments for Saint Laurent, Mugler and Versace.
Fast forward to today and Yai is undeniably one of the most influential models of her generation, which is why many were surprised she had not received the Model of the Year title until now.
