November 9, 2025
The Sudanese-American supermodel acquired the honour forward of the British Style Awards ceremony, marking a brand new period in illustration.
The British Style Awards have introduced their 2025 Mannequin of the Yr weeks earlier than the precise ceremony — and the honour belongs to Sudanese-American supermodel Anok Yai, whose meteoric rise continues to reshape the worldwide trend panorama.
“A defining drive in at present’s trend panorama, Anok’s affect 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 following 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 picture of her glowing within the crowd went viral — catapulting the then-college pupil into the world of excessive trend. That viral second led to modeling contracts and a string of alternatives that reworked her into one of many trade’s most recognizable faces.
Since then, Yai has dominated runways and campaigns throughout the globe. As reported by Dazed, this 12 months alone, she opened reveals 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 underneath Matthieu Blazy’s route.
Past the runway, Yai continues to form fashionable trend imagery. She has fronted Mugler’s Alien perfume marketing campaign, appeared in Hole’s newest adverts, 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 12 months’s winner, Alex Consani.
Breaking with custom, the BFC didn’t launch a shortlist this 12 months. As a substitute, a non-public panel of trade 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 trend legends like Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Kate Moss, who holds the document 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 girls in luxurious trend.
Together 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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