Anok Yai

Anok Yai (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. 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, and since 2023, she was chosen by both the industry and fans as "Model of the Year" and USA Top Model 2024.

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

2017–2021: Discovery and career beginnings
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. 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. She has also appeared in the Prada SS 2018 campaign and an upcoming Nike campaign designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci.

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.'"

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.

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.

In 2018, Yai appeared in an advertising campaign for a S/S Nike, Riccardo Tisci, and Minotaurs collaboration. In July 2018, she became an Estée Lauder spokes model. In December 2018, she was featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang's "Collection 1" Drop 2. 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. 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. She appeared in the Alexander McQueen F/W 2020 campaign, photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth. 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. She led Hood by Air's "02 PROLOGUE" campaign photoshoot in June 2021. Juergen Teller photographed her for a Yves Saint Laurent Winter 2021 advertisement. In September 2021, she appeared on the cover of Vogue along with other models including Ariel Nicholson, Bella Hadid, and Kaia Gerber.

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

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

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