Anok Yai

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Anok Yai
Yai in 2019
Born (1997-12-20) December 20, 1997 (age 26)
Cairo, Egypt
NationalityAmerican
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 a South Sudanese-American fashion model. She is the first South Sudanese model 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 in 2023, she was chosen by both the industry and fans as "Model of the Year".[6]

Early and personal life

Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt, on December 20, 1997.[7] When she was 3, her family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire.[8] Her mother is a nurse and her father works for Easterseals; her sister Alim is her manager and a financial consultant.[9] Yai graduated from Manchester High School West and attended Plymouth State University studying biochemistry, intending to become a doctor.[10][11]

As of December 2023, Yai is in a relationship with fellow model Alton Mason.[12]

Career

2017–2021: Discovery and career beginnings

Yai was discovered in October 2017 during

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

Mugler and Coperni. 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

Garage, Document Journal, Dazed, and Pop.[19]

In 2018, Yai appeared in an advertising campaign for a S/S Nike,

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-

Japanese
editions).

In 2020, Yai modeled for the Versace Resort "Flash 2021" campaign.

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

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: Top Model Status

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

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

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

  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. ^ Singer, Olivia (January 15, 2018). "What You Need To Know About Prada's New Collection". British Vogue. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Wootson Jr., Cleve R. (October 31, 2017). "A photographer unexpectedly snapped her picture at homecoming. Then, modeling agencies called". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Modeling agencies reach out to woman featured in viral photos". cbsnews.com. October 30, 2017.
  11. ^ Heyward, Jasmine (November 11, 2017). "New Hampshire college student signs with modeling agency after viral Instagram photo". boston.com.
  12. ^ Dhakhwa, Saman (December 29, 2023). "Anok Yai Boyfriend Alton Mason: Dating History And Relationship". Band of Outsiders. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  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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