Anok Yai Named 2025 Mannequin of the Yr

[ad_1] by Mary Spiller November 9, 2025

The Sudanese-American supermodel acquired the glory 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 glory belongs to Sudanese-American supermodel Anok Yai, whose meteoric rise continues to reshape the worldwide style panorama.

“A defining pressure in at the moment’s style panorama, Anok’s affect transcends the runway—from redefining magnificence requirements to championing artistry and illustration on a worldwide stage,” the British Style Council (BFC) mentioned in an announcement on Instagram. “Her affect continues to form tradition and encourage the following era.”

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 pupil into the world of excessive style. 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 path.

South Sudanese-American mannequin Anok Yai has made historical past after being named Mannequin of the Yr 2025.

Anok first captured the world’s consideration in 2018 when she grew to become the primary Black mannequin to open a Prada present since Naomi Campbell in 1997, a second that catapulted her into world… pic.twitter.com/ebm9oxRzrd

— NBG Africa (@nbgafrica) November 8, 2025

Past the runway, Yai continues to form trendy style 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 style 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 style.

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