The crown landed before the applause, and the fashion universe is buzzing. Nearly a month ahead of the 2025 Fashion Awards, the British Fashion Council shook the system by announcing—early and via Instagram—its Model of the Year: Anok Yai. No shortlist, no traditional suspense, no five-name face-off. A verdict that was direct, decisive and symbolic. When talent outshines ritual, why wait?
Sudanese-American, global star and former Dazed cover girl, Yai didn’t just conquer the industry this year: she recalibrated it on her own frequency. Her SS26 season was a runway masterclass in presence and power. She opened for Ferragamo, Coperni and Hugo Boss with a precision that cut through the noise, and closed for Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Vetements and Messika—securing that rare dual status of opener and finale, reserved for models who command both the introduction and the exclamation point. In between, she set the pace for Saint Laurent, Mugler, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta and, of course, Matthieu Blazy’s much-anticipated Chanel debut—an instant-archive moment.
But Yai’s supremacy transcends the catwalk. Her campaign choices show range as sharp as her walk: from Mugler’s sensual, futuristic Alien fragrance to the commercial-cool ease of Gap. She returned to the Victoria’s Secret runway—yes, the comeback many doubted would hit again—and collected heavyweight covers: Perfect, Vogue France and Allure, the latter shared with last year’s winner, Alex Consani. A subtle but unmistakable passing of the torch.
The expert panel who crowned her was equally star-studded: newly appointed BFC CEO Laura Weir, Dazed’s Emma Davidson, photographer Campbell Addy, stylist Carlos Nazario, casting director Emma Matell, former Dazed editorial director Kacion Mayers, movement director Pat Boguslawski, and 10 Magazine’s editor-in-chief Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou. A jury of voices who shape fashion far beyond the surface.
For now, the rest of the categories remain anyone’s game. On December 1, the Royal Albert Hall will host British fashion’s most glamorous night—but let’s be honest—one of the night’s defining headlines is already written. And it bears the name Anok Yai, the model playing in a league of her own: the league of now.
