Supermodel Anok Yai made an indelible impression across Paris Fashion Week, closing major autumn presentations and solidifying her position as one of high fashion’s premier runway icons. Her standout catwalk appearances coincided with official confirmation that the South Sudanese-American model will join the star-studded lineup for the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which is scheduled to stream live globally from Los Angeles on October 18.
During Paris Fashion Week, Yai captivated the fashion world by closing the Balenciaga show in a sheer evening gown, creating one of the week's most celebrated viral moments. She continued her impressive run with a high-profile appearance at the Tom Ford show, following a successful series of walks in Milan for luxury fashion houses including Ferragamo and Gucci. In addition to her runway assignments, Yai joined fellow top models at the Palais Brongniart in Paris to celebrate the launch event for the upcoming Elie Saab and H&M collaboration collection.
Yai's rise to international stardom represents one of fashion's most remarkable trajectory stories. First discovered in 2017 after a photo taken at Howard University's homecoming event went viral online, she signed with Next Model Management and made history shortly thereafter as the first Black model in two decades to open a Prada runway presentation, following Naomi Campbell's iconic 1997 milestone. Over the past several years, Yai has headlined major global advertising campaigns for heritage houses such as Tiffany & Co., Estée Lauder, and Saint Laurent, while consistently gracing the covers of international editions of Vogue.
Her inclusion in the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show roster alongside prominent models like Gigi Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Adriana Lima underscores the continuing evolution of her career across both couture and mainstream fashion spaces. The upcoming presentation will feature live musical performances from Megan Thee Stallion, KATSEYE, and Tate McRae. As Fashion Month concludes, Yai's dominant presence across European runways positions her for another landmark season at the pinnacle of the fashion industry.
