American Sudanese supermodel Anok Yai‘s journey from being discovered at a college homecoming to walking the runways of the world’s top fashion houses is a testament to the power of talent and perseverance.
Anok Yai for Saint Laurent SS26
Anok Yai is a Sudanese-American model who has become a trailblazer in global fashion, particularly for her role in advancing representation and diversity. Discovered in 2017 at Howard University, her striking beauty and unique looks quickly captured the attention of top fashion designers and photographers. Yai’s rise to prominence is symbolic of the industry’s shift towards inclusivity as she has graced the runways for legendary fashion houses such as Prada, Valentino, McQueen, Versace and Dior. Her impact lies in the way she confidently challenges traditional beauty standards and helps bring visibility to underrepresented Black models in high fashion, inspiring a new generation of young women to see themselves entering the fashion narrative.
Anok Yai’s Rise To A Supermodel
Anok Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt, to parents of South Sudanese heritage. When she was 3, her family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. Her mother is a nurse and her father works for Easterseals; her sister Alim is her manager and a financial consultant. Yai graduated from Manchester High School West and attended Plymouth State University studying biochemistry, intending to become a doctor.
Anok’s discovery at a Howard University homecoming event, where her photo was shared by photographer Steven Meisel, remains one of the most iconic moments in modern modeling. Her first modeling assignment was also her milestone moment: opening for Prada. The 19-year-old became the second black model to ever open a Prada show. The first was Naomi Campbell back in 1997. Anok Yai took to Instagram to thank Miuccia Prada, writing, “Can’t believe I’m the first black woman to open for Prada since queen @iamnaomicampbell, forever grateful.”
“The Prada campaign was my first ever job in fashion – I was booked by the incredible Ashley Brokaw and flew to LA to shoot with Willy Vanderperre,” Yai tells Vogue. “Casting for Prada this season was so quick and simple. I had a few digitals taken and then I walked. It only lasted a few minutes, but it was nerve racking since there was such a short amount of time to make a good impression.”
The Egypt-born, Sudanese teen who grew up in the US was soon snapped up by Next Models and the rest is fashion history. She has walked the runways for Versace, Max Mara, Fendi, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton; appeared in campaigns for Tiffany & Co., Nike, Hood by Air, and Ambush; and graced the covers and editorials of Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, Elle, and Garage. In 2018, Yai appeared in a campaign for a Nike, Riccardo Tisci and Minotaurs collaboration. In July 2018, she became an Estée Lauder spokes model. Later that year, she was featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang. In 2019, Yai appeared in a short film for the Chanel-Pharrell Collection. The following year, she modeled for the Versace Resort Flash 2021 campaign.
Anok Yai at Courreges SS26
She appeared in the Alexander McQueen Fall 2020 campaign and then starred in the Ambush Spring 2021 campaign. Shortly, Juergen Teller photographed her for Yves Saint Laurent fall 2021. In 2022, Yai appeared in two Spring campaigns shot by Steven Meisel, for Max Mara and Alexander McQueen. She modeled for Loro Piana in a photoshoot shot by Mario Sorrenti. Yai later reunited with Meisel for a September campaign for Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum. In February 2022, she appeared on the cover of British Vogue.
In 2023, Yai was featured in a Vogue tribute cover to Karl Lagerfeld. During Paris Fashion Week, Yai opened her first Mugler runway show. Following her appearance at the 2023 Met Gala in custom Prabal Gurung, she was ranked one of the “best dressed supermodels” by Vogue Australia. W magazine remarked: “Yai could not be missed in her look”. Yai capped off the year as the models.com Industry and Readers’ vote for “Model of the Year”. Yai then began 2024 walking for the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week. Later that year, she appeared in the music video for Offset’s “Swing My Way”. And the journey continues with the “Big Four” SS26 fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New York and London.
Anok Yai’s impact on diversity in the modelling industry
A pivotal moment in Anok Yai’s career came when she made history by walking in the fall 2018 Prada show, making her one of the few Black models to land such a high-profile gig at the time. Her appearance at Prada was a defining moment for diversity in fashion, as it was a significant step forward in terms of racial inclusion on the runway. Anok’s presence showcased her talent but also set a new precedent for fashion shows that embraced a more inclusive representation of beauty, one that would eventually encourage other luxury fashion brands to follow suit.
Anok Yai
As a Black model of Sudanese descent, Anok Yai’s rise to prominence marks a significant shift in an industry that has long been criticised for its lack of racial diversity. Her striking features, tall stature, and presence on fashion week runways have broken conventional beauty norms and highlighted the importance of racial representation in a space traditionally dominated by Eurocentric ideals. Yai’s visibility in high-fashion campaigns and shows serves as a powerful message that beauty comes in many forms, encouraging a broader definition of what is considered “marketable” in the modeling industry.
Today Anok Yai has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for many young Black women, who previously might have felt marginalized in the modeling industry. Her presence offers these women the courage to pursue modeling careers. Her unprecedented success has made her a role model; when young Black women see someone who looks like them in the spotlight, they are more likely to believe that they too can carve out their own path in the fashion world.
Awards And Recognition
Anok Yai has received widespread acclaim from the fashion industry. She has been honoured with the “Model of the Year” title in the Women+ category by industry peers and readers at the annual models.com awards. She is consistently ranked among the world’s top models, with fashion authorities naming her one of the “New Supers”, a designation reserved for contemporary figures who exert global influence and remain in demand across seasons and markets. Yai’s red-carpet appearances, editorial features, and runway moments have earned her recognition as a symbol of modern beauty and progress and her achievements continue to inspire emerging talent across the world.
10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Anok Yai
How did Anok Yai get discovered?
Anok Yai was discovered in 2017 during Howard University’s homecoming. A photograph went viral and caught the attention of modeling agents, and within a few days, she signed with her first agency and opened Prada’s runway show.What are some of Anok Yai’s biggest career moments?
Some of Anok Yai’s milestones include walking for Prada, McQueen, and Versace. She was also the first Black model to open a Prada show in over 20 years, a historic moment in fashion.How has Anok Yai influenced diversity in the fashion industry?
Anok Yai has had a significant impact on diversity in the fashion industry by breaking barriers for Black models. Her success has highlighted the importance of representation for Black women in fashion and she has become an advocate for inclusivity.What makes Anok Yai stand out?
Anok Yai stands out due to her striking features and her advocacy for diversity. She is celebrated for her commitment to breaking down racial barriers in the fashion industry.Where is Anok Yai from?
Anok Yai was born in Egypt to South Sudanese parents and moved to the United States when she was a young child.Has Anok Yai worked with any major designers?
Yes, Anok Yai has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and has also appeared in campaigns for Valentino, McQueen and Prada.What does Anok Yai think about beauty standards in fashion?
Anok Yai has spoken about challenging traditional beauty standards in the fashion industry, often discussing the importance of embracing natural beauty and encouraging diversity.What role does Anok Yai play in promoting mental health awareness?
Anok Yai uses her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues, particularly in the fashion industry, and advocates for self-care and mental well-being.How does Anok Yai feel about her heritage?
Anok Yai is deeply proud of her South Sudanese roots and often celebrates her African heritage. She embraces her dark skin and features, using her platform to encourage other models of African descent to feel confident in their identities.What future projects does Anok Yai have?
Anok Yai continues to work with top designers and is expected to appear in more high-profile campaigns and runway shows. She has just walked for all fashion SS26 fashion weeks and also plans to support causes related to diversity, mental health, and empowerment for women of colour in the fashion industry.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
