Model of the Year 2023: what Anok Yai, who overtook supermodel Bella Hadid and became famous for her strong stance, looks like. Photo

Anok Yai, a model of Sudanese origin, has been named Model of the Year 2023 by Models.com, one of the most influential platforms in the fashion industry. The 26-year-old model took first place in the voting by the audience and experts.

To determine the winner of the Model of the Year Awards 2023, the most famous representatives of the industry, including photographers, stylists, designers and fashion fans, were involved, Models.com writes. The second place was shared by Paloma Elsesser, according to the results of professionals, and Bella Hadid, according to the audience.

Last season, Anok Yai became an integral part of the Hermès, Chanel, Mugler, Versace and Tom Ford fashion shows. Now she is called one of the most promising faces in the industry.

Since childhood, Anok dreamed of becoming a doctor until a street photographer spotted her in 2017. The photo of the future fashion star went viral on social media, drawing attention to Yai's appearance.

Eventually, she signed a contract with the Next Model Management agency and embarked on the path of supermodeling. Anok was the first model of Sudanese descent to open a Prada show and participate in the brand's Spring/Summer 2018 campaign.

In an interview with VOGUE, she said that she always follows the advice she once heard from her agent. "Know that you are a business. That was the best advice I've ever received," Yai says. This mindset has allowed the model to be both strategic and creative, as well as to learn to say no.

One of these decisions was Anok's refusal to have African braids and bob cuts. Many brands didn't even want to continue working with her. Colleagues began to follow Yai's example after they saw a sign backstage at the shows saying "Don't touch Anok's hair."

In addition, the supermodel chooses her own outfits for the fashion show. She discusses her wishes with the designers and believes that sometimes you should be a little cheeky.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told about 31-year-old Paloma Elsesser, who became the Model of the Year 2023 at the British Fashion Awards and proved that curves are not a sentence.

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