Anok Yai

Anok Yai
Yai in September 2019
Born (1997-12-20) December 20, 1997
Cairo, Egypt
Education
OccupationModel
Years active2017–present
Modeling information
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorBrown
Agency

Anok Yai (/əˈnɒk/ ə-NOK; born December 20, 1997) is an American fashion model. She is the second black model, after Naomi Campbell, to open a Prada show.[4][5] She has made several appearances on i-D and Vogue covers, including American Vogue three times.

Early life

Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt, after her family fled genocide in Sudan. She comes from a Christian family.[6] When she was 3, her family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, United States.[7] Her mother is a nurse and her father works for Easterseals; her sister Alim is her manager and a financial consultant.[8] Yai graduated from Manchester High School West and attended Plymouth State University studying biochemistry, intending to become a doctor.[9][10]

Career

2017–2021: Discovery and career beginnings

Yai was discovered in October 2017 during Howard University's homecoming week by professional photographer Steve 'theSUNK' Hall, who asked to take her picture. He posted the photo on Instagram, acquing over 20,000 likes. Modeling agencies, including IMG Models, asked to get in touch with her. She eventually chose to sign with Next Model Management, who had called her daily for several weeks.[11][12] Four months later, she became the first Sudanese model to open a Prada fashion show.[13] She has also appeared in the Prada SS 2018 campaign and a Nike campaign designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci.[14]

On being the first Black model to open Prada in 20 years, Yai told Vogue:

"It was an honor and I'm proud that I was the one chosen to open, but this is bigger than me. Me opening for one of the top fashion houses is a statement to the world–especially for Black women–that their beauty is something that deserves to be celebrated."[15]

Yai has walked the runways for brands including Versace, Max Mara, Fendi, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton. She has also appeared in advertisements for Tiffany & Co., Nike, Hood by Air, and Ambush.[3]

Yai has appeared on the covers and editorials of Vogue (including several of international editions), W magazine, CR Fashion Book, AnOther, Dust, Purple, Harper's Bazaar, i-D, Self Service, V Magazine, Elle, Garage, Document Journal, Dazed, and Pop.[16]

In 2018, Yai appeared in an advertising campaign for a S/S Nike, Riccardo Tisci, and Minotaurs collaboration.[17] In July 2018, she became an Estée Lauder spokes model.[18] In December 2018, she was featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang's "Collection 1" Drop 2.[19]

In 2019, Yai appeared in a short film for the Chanel-Pharrell Collection, alongside Adut Akech and Alton Mason.[20] She was featured on the covers of AnOther, CR Fashion Book, PRINT, W, Vogue (including its Korean, Italian, Brazilian, and Japanese editions).

In 2020, Yai modeled for the Versace Resort "Flash 2021" campaign.[21] She appeared in the Alexander McQueen F/W 2020 campaign, photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth.[22] Yai once again appeared on cover of Vogue (its Japanese, German, Dutch, and American editions).

In 2021, Yai starred in the Ambush S/S 2021 collection campaign photographed by Ethan James Green.[23] She led Hood by Air's "02 PROLOGUE" campaign photoshoot in June 2021.[24][25] Juergen Teller photographed her for a Yves Saint Laurent Winter 2021 advertisement.[26] In September 2021, she appeared on the cover of Vogue along with other models including Ariel Nicholson, Bella Hadid, and Kaia Gerber.[27]

2022–present: Supermodel status

In 2022, Yai appeared in two S/S campaigns shot by Steven Meisel for Max Mara and Alexander McQueen.[28][29] She modeled for Loro Piana in a photoshoot shot by Mario Sorrenti.[30] Yai reunited with Meisel for a September campaign for Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum.[31] In February 2022, she appeared on the cover of British Vogue alongside an all Black modeling cast.[32] Yai appeared on the September 2022 cover ofW, celebrating the magazine's 50th anniversary. On this cover, the magazine recognized Yai as a supermodel. [33]

In 2023, Yai was featured in a Vogue tribute cover to Karl Lagerfeld, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.[34] She also covered Vogue Spain, Vogue Italy and i-D.[35] Yai appeared in the music video for the song "Say Something" by American rapper Lil Yachty.[36] During Paris Fashion Week, Yai opened her first Mugler runway show.[37][38][3] She attended the 2023 Met Gala in custom Prabal Gurung,[39] for which Vogue Australia ranked Yai "one of the "best dressed supermodels."[40] In December 2023, Yai was awarded Industry’s vote and the Reader’s Choice as Model of the Year: Women+ by models.com.[41]

In 2024, Yai walked for the Louis Vuitton Men's F/W show during Paris Fashion Week.[42] She next starred in American rapper Travis Scott's music video "I KNOW?"[43] Also in 2024, she became the face of Alien Hypersense, a new fragrance by Mugler.[44] Later in 2024, Yai appeared in the music video for Offset's "Swing My Way".[45]

In December 2025, Yai was awarded Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council[46].

Health

In December 2025, Yai posted on Instagram about her health, writing “For the past year I’ve been dealing with this silent battle”, and adding “I incidentally found out I had a congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs.”[47]

Filmography

Media appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Chanel - The Chanel Pharrell Collection[20] Herself Short film
2020 Saint Laurent - Summer of '21[48] Herself Short film
2023 Lil Yachty - "Say Something"[36] Herself Music video
2024 Travis Scott - "I Know ? (Official Music Video)" Herself Music video
2024 Offset - "Swing My Way"[45] Herself Music video
2025 Doja Cat - "Gorgeous"


References

  1. ^ "Next / Anok Yai". www.nextmanagement.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "Anok Yai – IMG Models". IMG Models. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Anok Yai - Model". models.com.
  4. ^ Okwodu, Janelle (February 22, 2018). "At Prada, Supermodels, Virtual Models, and a History-Making Moment". Vogue. Condé Nast.
  5. ^ Lauren Alexis Fisher (February 23, 2018). "A Black Model Opened The Prada Show For The First Time Since 1997". Harper's Bazaar.
  6. ^ Singer, Olivia (January 15, 2018). "What You Need To Know About Prada's New Collection". British Vogue. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Wootson Jr., Cleve R. (October 31, 2017). "A photographer unexpectedly snapped her picture at homecoming. Then, modeling agencies called". The Washington Post.
  8. ^ Hayward, Mark (October 25, 2017). "Plymouth State student a model of internet fame after Instagram post - New Hampshire". NewHampshire.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Modeling agencies reach out to woman featured in viral photos". CBS News. Associated Press. October 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Heyward, Jasmine (November 11, 2017). "New Hampshire college student signs with modeling agency after viral Instagram photo". Boston.com.
  11. ^ Tate, Crystal (October 26, 2020). "This 19-Year-Old College Student Signs Major Modeling Contract After Her Photo From Howard Homecoming Goes Viral". Essence.
  12. ^ "Secrets of the Supermodel Trade". Business of Fashion. October 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Yates, Jacqueline Laurean (February 23, 2018). "This South Sudanese college student is now a top model at Prada, thanks to the internet". Yahoo Life.
  14. ^ "8 Models to Watch This Season". The New York Times. February 9, 2018.
  15. ^ Pike, Naomi (February 26, 2018). ""This Is Bigger Than Me" - Anok Yai On Being The First Black Model To Open Prada In 20 Years". British Vogue. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Anok Yai - Gallery with 100 editorials - Fashion Model | Models | The FMD | Page 9". FashionModelDirectory. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Boykins, Austin (February 8, 2018). "Riccardo Tisci x Nike's Victorious Minotaurs Return in Newest Collection". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  18. ^ March, Bridget (August 8, 2018). "Anok Yai On Making Fashion and Beauty History". CR Fashion Book. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  19. ^ Mowatt, Robyn (December 20, 2018). "Alexander Wang's Drop 2 of "COLLECTION 1" Just Dropped". Hypebae. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "An Exclusive Look At The Making Of The Chanel-Pharrell Capsule Collection". British Vogue. March 25, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Vibrant Versace Flash 2021 Campaign Honors BLM". Anne of Carversville. August 23, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  22. ^ Elizabeth, Joanna (August 17, 2020). "Sora, Anok & Jill Pose Outdoors in Alexander McQueen Fall 2020 Campaign". Fashion Gone Rogue. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Inside the Comfort Zone: AMBUSH Spring Summer 2021 Collection". DScene. February 8, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "HOOD BY AIR "GENESIS"". Philip-Daniel Ducasse. Retrieved June 11, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Hood By Air "02 PROLOGUE" Campaign". models.com. June 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kiki Willems, Awar Odhiang Front Saint Laurent Winter 2021/22 Campaign". Anne of Carversville. October 21, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  27. ^ Singer, Maya (August 5, 2021). "Generation America: The Models Changing an Industry". Vogue.
  28. ^ Enke, Anne (February 21, 2022). "Max Mara Spring 2022 Campaign by Steven Meisel with Anok, Loli, Vittoria and Yilan". Anne of Carversville. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Benjamin, Mark (January 20, 2022). "Alexander McQueen taps Steven Meisel for spring summer 2022". Rain. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Loro Piana S/S 2022 : Anok Yai, Rianne Van Rompaey & Leon Dame by Mario Sorrenti". the Fashion Spot. February 22, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  31. ^ "Tiffany & Co. 'Rose Gold' Fragrance 2021 : Anok, Kristina & Fei Fei by Steven Meisel". the Fashion Spot. July 6, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  32. ^ Saltzman, Stephanie (January 14, 2022). "Must Read: British 'Vogue' Celebrates African Models, a New York State Senator Discusses The Fashion Act". Fashionista. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  33. ^ Comita, Jenny (September 6, 2022). "Anok Yai on Her History-Making Model Moment". W Magazine. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  34. ^ Harlech, Amanda (April 11, 2023). "The Everlasting Genius of Karl Lagerfeld". Vogue. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  35. ^ "Anok Yai - Gallery with 27 magazine covers - Fashion Model | Models | The FMD | Page 1". FashionModelDirectory. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Gonzalez, Alex (January 29, 2023). "Lil Yachty Shares The Bizarre 'Say Something' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  37. ^ Street, Chloe (January 27, 2023). "Mugler's all-star cast serve highly-sexed attitude in Paris". Evening Standard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  38. ^ Cary, Alice (March 3, 2023). "Naomi Campbell Reminded Everyone What "Supermodel" Means at Paris Fashion Week". Vogue. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  39. ^ Twersky Winkler, Carolyn (May 3, 2023). "Anok Yai Knows How to Deliver a Model Off-Duty Look". W Magazine. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  40. ^ Lai, Gladys (May 1, 2023). "Met Gala 2023: The Best Dressed Supermodels". Vogue Australia.
  41. ^ Roche, Eddie (December 20, 2023). "Who Are The Models of the Year?". Daily Front Row. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  42. ^ Leitch, Luke (January 16, 2024). "Louis Vuitton Fall 2024 Menswear Collection". Vogue. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Mamo, Heran (January 23, 2024). "Watch Travis Scott Juggle Models Emily Ratajkowski & Anok Yai as His Love Interests in 'I Know?' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  44. ^ Weil, Jennifer (February 1, 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Mugler Is Launching Alien Hypersense and a New Concept Store in China". WWD. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  45. ^ a b Saponara, Michael (December 13, 2024). "Offset Entices the Women Around Him in Lavish 'Swing My Way' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  46. ^ "All The Winners From The 2025 Fashion Awards Including Anok Yai, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner And More". ELLE. December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  47. ^ "Anok Yai reveals congenital defect 'destroying' lungs". www.msn.com.
  48. ^ Walsh, Savannah (December 30, 2020). "Saint Laurent's New Short Film Will Transport You to Summer '21". Elle. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
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