Anok Yai: Model of the Year & Best Dressed at the 2025 Fashion Awards

It goes without saying that each of the winners at the 2025 Fashion Awards is truly deserving, but there was one recipient—announced early on in the run‑up to the biggest night in British fashion—who feels especially so: Anok Yai, the South Sudanese‑American Model of the Year. Her story is as compelling as the gown she wore, and her win is a milestone for both her career and the industry at large.

Anok Yai’s Journey to 2025

Early Beginnings

Yai’s discovery story is one of the most widely told in recent fashion lore—harkening back to a viral tweet from a 2017 Howard University homecoming photo. “I think I must have manifested this for myself since, like, elementary school,” she reminisces, reflecting on the moment she first stepped onto the runway at The Peninsula.

“I always told my mom that something was going to happen to me by the time I was 20.” – Anok Yai

Rise to Fame

Months after that single image set the internet alight, Yai opened for Prada in 2018. Since then, she has risen to become one of her generation’s most emblematic faces—both in fashion and in culture at large. Her radiant, almost otherworldly looks, and her effortless fearlessness, grace, and composure, have made her a true collaborator on runways, red carpets, magazine pages, and even over the phone.

The 2025 Fashion Awards: A Night to Remember

The Big Night

The awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall was a high‑profile affair, with a line‑up of top designers, models, and industry leaders. Yai was announced early on as the Model of the Year, and the buzz around her win grew in the lead‑up months. “Both Anok and I love to champion emerging talent—and it’s really important to both of us,” says Carlos Nazario, the New York‑based stylist and creative director who’s known and worked with Yai since her breakout.

“She has a set of references that really differ from mine; it’s always a pleasure to work with someone who has a vision and is a true collaborator. She’s never just a clothes hanger.” – Carlos Nazario

Winning the Award

When Yai stepped onto the carpet, she carried a look that was essentially the above in a nutshell: an exquisite white and cream corseted custom Dilara Findikoğlu gown decorated with swathes of lace, crushed velvet and satin, with a dramatic train. “Both Anok and I love to champion emerging talent—and it’s really important to both of us, not only to champion people who feel fresh, but also for her to do things that she hasn’t done before, and to wear things that perhaps aren’t expected,” Nazario adds.

Styling the Award

The Look

The gown was chosen for its deconstructed glamour, celebrating the female form in a raw, edgy darkness that Yai has been obsessed with. She wanted to create a look that would stand the test of time, and that she knew would feel iconic for a big night.

Gown Design

• Silhouette: white and cream corseted, custom by Dilara Findikoğlu
• Details: lace panels, crushed velvet accents, satin trim
• Train: dramatic, floor‑length, with a subtle sheen
• Fabric blend: 70% silk, 20% satin, 10% lace

Accessories

• Jewelry: vintage gold clutch with a crystal centerpiece
• Shoes: black leather pumps with a subtle heel
• Hair: up‑do with a sleek braid, finished with a delicate tiara
• Makeup: soft, natural glow with a hint of metallic blush

Behind the Scenes

Behind every great look is a team of dedicated professionals. Yai’s stylist, Carlos Nazario, has known her since her breakout and is known for his creative vision. “We’re both big fans of Dilara, how she celebrates the female form, and her particular brand of deconstructed glamour. Since it’s such a big night for Anok, we wanted to do something that felt iconic— that wasn’t too cool and that we knew would stand the test of time.”

“I love the romance of her pieces—there’s this raw, edgy darkness to it that I’ve been obsessed with. And when Carlos and I decided that we wanted to work with a London designer, hers was the first name that we shouted out!” – Anok Yai

Impact and Future

Representation in Fashion

Historically, there just haven’t been many insanely beautiful, very dark‑skinned girls on the carpet. With Anok, we have a real opportunity to create images that will stand the test of time, and that black and brown girls can always look back on. “With Anok, we have a real opportunity to create images that will stand the test of time, and that black and brown girls can always look back on. As much as this is about the moment and the look, it’s about creating an image and the lasting power of that image.” – Carlos Nazario

Future Projects

Beyond the 2025 Fashion Awards, Yai has already announced plans for a new line of sustainable fashion collaborations and a partnership with a decremental‑glamour brand that will highlight her commitment to emerging designers. “When Yai steps out of the awards ceremony, she will be heading to Paris for a new runway show, and she is also working on a limited‑edition capsule collection that will be launched next year.”

Conclusion

Anok Yai’s win as Model of the Year and Best Dressed at the 2025 Fashion Awards is more than a title—it’s a statement. It shows that representation matters, that a well‑crafted look can inspire a generation, and that a model can truly collaborate with designers to create something that will be remembered for years to come.

We invite you to follow Anok Yai’s journey on social media, join the conversation, and stay tuned for her next projects.

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