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]
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]
"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]
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 Lauderspokes 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 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]