Awar Odhiang is the 2026 “Model of the Year”

Published: November 5, 2026 Last Updated 1 hour ago by Esther Ejoh

The British Fashion Council has announced that Awar Odhiang will receive the Model of the Year award at The Fashion Awards 2026, recognizing her talent, resilience, and representation.

The ceremony will be held on November 30 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. This honour is awarded to a model whose global impact and outstanding contributions have shaped the industry beyond the runway.

A panel of casting directors, stylists, photographers, and editors selected Odhiang, highlighting her distinctive presence and expressive energy.

British Fashion Council chief Laura Weir praised the Canadian model of South Sudanese heritage for bringing “a truly special energy to fashion this year, reminding us that the industry is at its best when individuality, authenticity and joy are celebrated.”

Weir emphasized that Odhiang’s journey inspires others through her positivity, confidence, and her use of fashion to foster connection and meaningful change.

Born in 2000 in the Pugnido (Pinyudo) Refugee Camp in Ethiopia’s Gambela region, Odhiang is the daughter of South Sudanese parents from the Anyuak tribe who fled civil war.

Her family was sponsored by a church and resettled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2002 when she was two years old. They later moved to Calgary.

Growing up as one of the few Black families in a small prairie town, she has spoken candidly about feeling like an outcast and rarely seeing her own beauty reflected in her surroundings.

Before modeling, Odhiang planned to pursue a career in medicine or health sciences, but her path changed in her late teens.

While working an after-school job at Old Navy in Calgary’s Market Mall, agent Kelly Streit of Mode Models International discovered her, after another local scout had already expressed interest.

She signed with the agency and began local work before gaining traction with SSENSE. In early 2020, she traveled to Italy for her first major international opportunities, launching a career that accelerated after the pandemic.

Odhiang’s rise has been both steady and remarkable.

By February 2024, she had walked 34 shows in a single season for brands including Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace.

She debuted at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2024 and returned in later years. She has appeared in campaigns and editorials for Saint Laurent, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, and others, as well as on the covers of Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, AnOther, and more.

In 2026, she has appeared on eight international magazine covers.

A defining moment came in October 2025 at Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for Chanel, where Odhiang closed the show and broke with traditional runway restraint.

Wearing a cascading feathered skirt, she twirled, clapped, smiled, and embraced the designer.

Her joyful, authentic energy went viral, making her only the third Black model to close a Chanel show. Blazy encouraged her to own the moment and be herself, which solidified her status as one of fashion’s most watched faces.

Since then, she has remained at the forefront, leading campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana, and H&M, while continuing high-profile runway appearances.

Beyond the runway and campaigns, Odhiang has used her platform to advocate for greater representation and inclusion of Black models.

She speaks openly about ongoing industry barriers and the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse identities. Her visibility inspires young women and reinforces that authenticity and individuality strengthen fashion.

In her own words upon learning of the award: “To be recognised as Model of the Year is an incredible honour. I have always believed that you can be both kind and strong, both gentle and resilient.

You never have to dim your light to belong, nor lose your softness to prove your strength. I hope my journey continues to remind others of that. I am deeply grateful for this moment and for all that it represents. Thank you to those who have believed in me, and appreciated me for exactly who I am.”​

Photo: Instagram/awarodhiang

The Model of the Year title adds Odhiang to a prestigious list of recipients and comes as the industry continues to address diversity, joy, and genuine connection.

Odhiang’s journey, from her birth in a refugee camp to her small-town Canadian upbringing, unexpected discovery, and now global acclaim, demonstrates fashion’s potential for transformation. Her expressive presence, versatility across runway, editorial, and commercial work, and commitment to inclusion make her a defining face of 2026.

As the Fashion Awards approach at the Royal Albert Hall, Awar Odhiang’s recognition feels both earned and timely.

It celebrates not only a year of standout performances but also a career defined by resilience, authenticity, and the strength of remaining true to oneself.

Photo: Instagram/awarodhiang