There was one thing unusually refreshing about the best way Awar Odhiang closed Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel present in October 2025. Wearing a white silk shirt and an exuberant, multicolored skirt, she walked the runway with a smile that appeared to ignore each unwritten rule about how a high-fashion finale ought to look. She celebrated, clapped, and embraced the designer, turning what was already an essential runway look into one of many season’s most memorable style moments. Nearly a yr later, that second has turn out to be a part of a a lot larger story: Awar Odhiang has been named Mannequin of the 12 months on the Vogue Awards 2026.
The popularity is critical not due to the posh campaigns and worldwide journal covers which have adopted, however due to what her presence represents. Odhiang’s profession has developed on the intersection of style, id, illustration, and a altering understanding of what makes a compelling runway mannequin. The Ethiopian-born, Canadian-raised expertise has moved from working behind the counter at Previous Navy to turning into a well-recognized face at a few of the business’s most influential style homes. Listed here are 10 issues to know in regards to the mannequin whose character has turn out to be simply as recognizable as her runway presence.
Listed here are 10 info to find out about Awar Odhiang, the Vogue Awards 2026 Mannequin of the 12 months…
#1. Her Story Started in a Refugee Camp in Ethiopia
Earlier than the worldwide runways and luxurious campaigns, there was Pugnido, a refugee camp in Ethiopia the place Odhiang was born. Her mother and father are South Sudanese and had fled the nation’s civil battle in the hunt for security. Her early circumstances have been far faraway from the world she would ultimately enter, however her household’s journey introduced her to Canada in 2002.
She spent her early years in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, earlier than transferring to Calgary as an adolescent. That journey throughout international locations and cultures is a crucial a part of her background, significantly as she has turn out to be a visual determine for girls of African descent in worldwide style.
#2. She Didn’t All the time See Herself as Stunning
One of many extra revealing particulars about Odhiang’s childhood is that her confidence was not all the time as obvious as it’s on the runway at present. Rising up in Moose Jaw, the place Black illustration was restricted, she skilled bullying and infrequently felt misplaced.
In an interview with the Calgary Herald, she recalled struggling to see herself as stunning as a result of there have been so few folks round her who seemed like her. It’s an fascinating distinction to her present place in an business the place her distinctive look has turn out to be considered one of her best skilled belongings.
#3. A Job at Previous Navy Led to Her Modeling Profession
Odhiang’s discovery story is significantly much less glamorous than the profession it will definitely produced. She was reportedly folding garments at an Previous Navy retailer when Kelly Streit, founding father of Mode Fashions Worldwide, observed her.
That encounter launched her to skilled modeling and set her on a path that will ultimately take her to Paris, Milan, and New York. It’s also a reminder that a few of style’s most recognizable faces enter the business via surprising circumstances quite than fastidiously orchestrated introductions.
#4. Her Chanel Finale Was a Defining Vogue Second
The Chanel Spring/Summer season 2026 present stays essentially the most recognizable turning level in Odhiang’s current profession. Offered throughout Paris Vogue Week in October 2025, it marked Matthieu Blazy’s extremely anticipated debut as inventive director of the French style home.
Odhiang was chosen to shut the presentation, turning into the third Black mannequin to carry that place in Chanel’s 115-year historical past. However it was her response on the finish of the runway that gave the looks its character. She deserted the restrained expression anticipated of a standard runway finale, smiling and celebrating earlier than embracing Blazy.
She later defined that the designer had inspired her to benefit from the second and be herself. The end result was a runway look that resonated past the garments, providing a special type of vitality at considered one of style’s most carefully watched reveals.
#5. She Has Turn into a Acquainted Face on the World’s Greatest Vogue Homes
Chanel was not an remoted achievement. Odhiang has constructed a formidable runway portfolio that features Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Chloé, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Schiaparelli.
What makes this vary noteworthy is the number of style identities represented. From the theatrical method of Schiaparelli to the understated luxurious related to Loro Piana, her work demonstrates a capability to function throughout very completely different inventive instructions with out shedding her personal presence.
#6. Her Marketing campaign Credit Lengthen from Chanel to H&M
Her industrial portfolio is equally different. Odhiang has appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana, and H&M.
The excellence between these manufacturers is value noting. She just isn’t confined to 1 specific nook of the market or a single luxurious aesthetic. Her enchantment stretches from established European style homes to a world high-street retailer, demonstrating the industrial versatility that makes a mannequin invaluable to completely different audiences.
#7. Eight Worldwide Journal Covers Have Added to Her 2026 Momentum
Runway appearances inform solely a part of the story. Based on the British Vogue Council, Odhiang has appeared on eight worldwide journal covers in 2026, together with titles similar to Dazed, Harper’s Bazaar France, Vogue France, and Vogue Italia.
These covers matter as a result of editorial recognition provides a mannequin a special type of visibility. Moderately than showing briefly in a designer’s assortment, she turns into the central topic of a publication’s visible id. For Odhiang, that visibility has helped flip a profitable runway profession right into a broader style presence.
#8. Illustration Is A part of Her Affect
Odhiang’s rising profile has additionally given her a platform to talk about the significance of inclusion in style. She has championed better illustration for Black fashions, making her achievements significant past the non-public milestones hooked up to her profession.
Her Chanel finale was significantly essential on this regard. Closing a present with such an extended historical past carried significance for audiences who’ve hardly ever seen Black fashions occupy that place. Her success doesn’t erase the business’s longstanding illustration challenges, but it surely provides one other essential face to a dialog that continues to form style.
#9. Her Mannequin of the 12 months Award Was Determined by Vogue Insiders
The British Vogue Council’s Mannequin of the 12 months award just isn’t merely a recognition contest. Odhiang was chosen by a panel of business professionals that included casting administrators, photographers, stylists, and editors.
Casting director Anita Bitton chaired the jury, with photographer Campbell Addy and stylist Carlos Nazario among the many notable names concerned. Bitton praised Odhiang’s improvement, describing her expertise as plain whereas emphasizing the exhausting work and curiosity behind her progress.
The award acknowledges a mannequin whose affect extends past the catwalk, bearing in mind her contribution to the business over the earlier yr.
#10. She Needs Different Girls to Embrace Their Full Selves
Maybe essentially the most fascinating a part of Odhiang’s response to the announcement was what she selected to emphasise. Moderately than focusing completely on skilled achievement, she spoke in regards to the relationship between kindness, power, gentleness, and resilience.
She defined that individuals ought to by no means really feel they need to dim their gentle to belong or lose their softness to show their power. It’s a significantly becoming message from somebody whose most celebrated runway second got here from doing one thing so simple as permitting herself to benefit from the expertise.
British Vogue Council chief government Laura Weir echoed that sentiment, praising Odhiang for bringing individuality, authenticity, positivity, and pleasure to style.
The Vogue Awards 2026 ceremony will happen on November 30, however Odhiang’s recognition already appears like a becoming conclusion to a rare yr. Her profession is a reminder {that a} mannequin’s affect just isn’t all the time measured by what number of runways she walks or campaigns she books. Generally, it’s the character she brings to these alternatives that makes folks keep in mind her.
Featured picture: Chanel
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