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Anok Yai

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Anok Yai
Yai in 2019
Born (1997-12-20) December 20, 1997 (age 26)
Cairo, Egypt
NationalityAmerican
Modeling information
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)[1]
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorBrown
Agency
  • No smoking (New York)
  • SAFE Management (Paris)[2]

Anok Yai (/əˈnɒk/ ə-NOK; born December 20, 1997) is an American fashion model. She is the first model of South Sudanese descent and the second black supermodel after Naomi Campbell to open a Prada show.[3][4] She has made several appearances on i-D and international Vogue covers, including American Vogue three times. Models.com ranks her as one of the "New Supers" of this generation,[5] and since 2023, she was chosen by both the industry and fans as "Model of the Year" and USA Top Model 2024.[6][7]

Early life

[edit]

Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt, on December 20, 1997.[8] When she was 3, her family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire.[9] Her mother is a nurse and her father works for Easterseals; her sister Alim is her manager and a financial consultant.[10] Yai graduated from Manchester High School West and attended Plymouth State University studying biochemistry, intending to become a doctor.[11][12]

Career

[edit]

2017–2021: Discovery and career beginnings

[edit]

Yai was discovered in October 2017 during Howard University's homecoming week by a professional photographer, Steve 'theSUNK' Hall, who asked to take her picture. He posted the photo on Instagram, accruing over 20,000 likes, and 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.[13][14] Within 4 months, she became the first Sudanese model to open a Prada fashion show, which is deemed the highest feat in fashion modeling because of the careers Prada has launched.[15] She has also appeared in the Prada SS 2018 campaign and an upcoming Nike campaign designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci.[16]

On her breakthrough moment, she 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."[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

In 2018, Yai appeared in an advertising campaign for a S/S Nike, Riccardo Tisci, and Minotaurs collaboration.[20] In July 2018, she became an Estée Lauder spokes model.[21] In December 2018, she was featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang's "Collection 1" Drop 2.[22] Also in that year, she was featured on the covers of Dazed, i-D, Purple Fashion, and Dust.

In 2019, Yai appeared in a short film for the Chanel-Pharrell Collection, alongside Adut Akech and Alton Mason.[23] 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.[24] She appeared in the Alexander McQueen F/W 2020 campaign, photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth.[25] 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.[26] She led Hood by Air's "02 PROLOGUE" campaign photoshoot in June 2021.[27][28] Juergen Teller photographed her for a Yves Saint Laurent Winter 2021 advertisement.[29] In September 2021, she appeared on the cover of Vogue along with other models including Ariel Nicholson, Bella Hadid, and Kaia Gerber.[30]

2022–present: Supermodel Status

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In 2022, Yai appeared in two S/S campaigns shot by Steven Meisel for Max Mara and Alexander McQueen.[31][32] She modeled for Loro Piana in a photoshoot shot by Mario Sorrenti.[33] Yai later reunited with Meisel for a September campaign for Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum.[34] In February 2022, she appeared on the cover of British Vogue alongside an all Black modeling cast.[35] One of the first instances Yai was officially recognized as a supermodel was in a September 2022 cover celebrating the 50th anniversary of W.[36]

In 2023, Yai was featured in a Vogue tribute cover to Karl Lagerfeld, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.[37] She also covered Vogue Spain, Vogue Italy and i-D.[38] Yai appeared in the music video for the song "Say Something" by American rapper Lil Yachty.[39] During Paris Fashion Week, Yai opened her first Mugler runway show.[40][41][42] Following her appearance at the 2023 Met Gala in custom Prabal Gurung, she was ranked one of the "best dressed supermodels" by Vogue Australia.[43] W magazine remarked: "Yai could not be missed in her look".[44] Yai capped off the year as the models.com Industry and Readers' vote for "Model of the Year".[45]

Yai began her 2024 walking for the Louis Vuitton Men's F/W show during Paris Fashion Week.[46] She next appeared as a video vixen in American rapper Travis Scott's music video "I KNOW?"[47] In February, she become the face of Alien Hypersense, a new fragrance by Mugler.[48]

Filmography

[edit]
Media appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2019 The CHANEL Pharrell Collection - Chanel[49] Herself Short film
2020 Saint Laurent - Summer of '21[50] Herself Short film
2023 "Say Something" - Lil Yachty[51] Herself Music video
2024 Travis Scott - "I KNOW ? (Official Music Video)" Herself Music video

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Next / Anok Yai". www.nextmanagement.com.
  2. ^ "Anok Yai - Model". models.com.
  3. ^ Okwodu, Janelle (February 22, 2018). "At Prada, Supermodels, Virtual Models, and a History-Making Moment". Vogue. Condé Nast.
  4. ^ Lauren Alexis Fisher (February 23, 2018). "A Black Model Opened The Prada Show For The First Time Since 1997". Harper's Bazaar.
  5. ^ "New Supers". models.com.
  6. ^ "Models.com Model of the Year Awards 2023". models.com. December 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "USA Top Model". usatopmodel.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Singer, Olivia (January 15, 2018). "What You Need To Know About Prada's New Collection". British Vogue. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Wootson Jr., Cleve R. (October 31, 2017). "A photographer unexpectedly snapped her picture at homecoming. Then, modeling agencies called". The Washington Post.
  10. ^ Hayward, Mark. "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.
  11. ^ "Modeling agencies reach out to woman featured in viral photos". cbsnews.com. October 30, 2017.
  12. ^ Heyward, Jasmine (November 11, 2017). "New Hampshire college student signs with modeling agency after viral Instagram photo". boston.com.
  13. ^ Tate, Crystal (October 26, 2020). "This 19-Year-Old College Student Signs Major Modeling Contract After Her Photo From Howard Homecoming Goes Viral". Essence.
  14. ^ "Secrets of the Supermodel Trade". Business of Fashion.
  15. ^ Yates, Jacqueline Laurean (February 23, 2018). "This South Sudanese college student is now a top model at Prada, thanks to the internet". yahoo.com.
  16. ^ "8 Models to Watch This Season". The New York Times. February 9, 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
  17. ^ ""This Is Bigger Than Me" - Anok Yai On Being The First Black Model To Open Prada In 20 Years". British Vogue. February 26, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "Anok Yai - Model". MODELS.com. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "Anok Yai - Gallery with 100 editorials - Fashion Model | Models | The FMD | Page 9". The FMD - FashionModelDirectory.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  20. ^ "Riccardo Tisci x Nike's Victorious Minotaurs Return in Newest Collection". Hypebeast. February 8, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "Alexander Wang's Drop 2 of "COLLECTION 1" Just Dropped". Hypebae. December 20, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "An Exclusive Look At The Making Of The Chanel-Pharrell Capsule Collection". British Vogue. March 25, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "Vibrant Versace Flash 2021 Campaign Honors BLM". Anne of Carversville. August 23, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  25. ^ "Alexander McQueen Fall 2020 Campaign". www.fashiongonerogue.com. August 17, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  26. ^ admin (February 8, 2021). "Inside the Comfort Zone: AMBUSH Spring Summer 2021 Collection". DSCENE. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "HOOD BY AIR "GENESIS"". Philip-Daniel Ducasse. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  28. ^ "Hood By Air "02 PROLOGUE" Campaign". models.com. June 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Kiki Willems, Awar Odhiang Front Saint Laurent Winter 2021/22 Campaign". Anne of Carversville. October 21, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  30. ^ Singer, Maya (August 5, 2021). "Generation America: The Models Changing an Industry". Vogue.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ Benjamin, Mark (January 20, 2022). "Alexander McQueen taps Steven Meisel for spring summer 2022". Rain. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  33. ^ "Loro Piana S/S 2022 : Anok Yai, Rianne Van Rompaey & Leon Dame by Mario Sorrenti". the Fashion Spot. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  34. ^ "Tiffany & Co. 'Rose Gold' Fragrance 2021 : Anok, Kristina & Fei Fei by Steven Meisel". the Fashion Spot. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "Anok Yai on Her History-Making Model Moment". W Magazine. September 6, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "Amanda Harlech Remembers Karl Lagerfeld—And Styles 16 Dynamic Looks From 'A Line of Beauty'". Vogue. April 11, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  38. ^ "Anok Yai - Gallery with 27 magazine covers - Fashion Model | Models | The FMD | Page 1". FashionModelDirectory. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  39. ^ "Lil Yachty Shares The Bizarre 'Say Something' Video". UPROXX. January 29, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Street, Chloe (January 27, 2023). "Mugler's all-star cast serve highly-sexed attitude in Paris". Evening Standard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  41. ^ Cary, Alice (March 3, 2023). "Naomi Campbell Reminded Everyone What "Supermodel" Means at Paris Fashion Week". Vogue. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  42. ^ "Anok Yai - Model". MODELS.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  43. ^ Lai, Gladys (May 1, 2023). "Met Gala 2023: The Best Dressed Supermodels". Vogue Australia.
  44. ^ "Anok Yai Knows How to Deliver a Model Off-Duty Look". W Magazine. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  45. ^ "Who Are The Models of the Year?". Daily Front Row. December 20, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  46. ^ "Louis Vuitton Fall 2024 Menswear Collection". Vogue. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  47. ^ "Watch Travis Scott Juggle Models Emily Ratajkowski & Anok Yai as His Love Interests in 'I Know?' Video". Billboard. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  48. ^ Weil, Jennifer (February 1, 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Mugler Is Launching Alien Hypersense and a New Concept Store in China". WWD. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  49. ^ "An Exclusive Look At The Making Of The Chanel-Pharrell Capsule Collection". British Vogue. March 25, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  50. ^ Walsh, Savannah (December 30, 2020). "Saint Laurent's New Short Film Will Transport You to Summer '21". ELLE. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  51. ^ "Lil Yachty Shares The Bizarre 'Say Something' Video". UPROXX. January 29, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
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