In an announcement made from London on 4 November 2026, the British Fashion Council (BFC) revealed that it has chosen Canadian-raised model Awar Odhiang for the Model of the Year award at The Fashion Awards 2026. The award will be presented at the ceremony to be held on the evening of Monday 30 November at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Odhiang’s name rose to prominence after one of the most talked-about runway moments of the past year: closing Matthieu Blazy’s first show at Chanel.
The BFC's Model of the Year announcement
What does the award recognise?
According to the BFC’s definition, the Model of the Year award goes to a model who has made a mark on the industry with their global impact over the past twelve months and whose influence extends beyond the runway. In choosing Odhiang, the council pointed not only to the number of shows and campaigns but also to her stance off camera. The model is one of the names who speak openly about the barriers Black models still face in terms of representation and inclusion, and the council counted this among its reasons as well.
The selection was made by a jury chaired by casting director Anita Bitton. The jury included well-known industry names such as photographer Campbell Addy, stylist and editor Carlos Nazario, and stylists Gabriella Karefa-Johnson and Julia Sarr-Jamois. Bitton said that Odhiang is aware of what is expected of her and has risen above those expectations without losing the joy and curiosity that brought her here.
From the BFC: the Model of the Year jury
From the Chanel finale to eight magazine covers
Odhiang’s breakthrough began with the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 show presented in Paris in October 2025. Closing Matthieu Blazy’s first collection for the house, the model made history as one of the few Black models to close a Chanel show and landed on the fashion press’s agenda overnight.
Featured on eight international magazine covers this year, Odhiang has fronted campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana and H&M. In February 2026 she landed her first Vogue cover with Vogue Italia, shot by photographer Rafael Pavarotti. Last year, the model also came first in Models.com’s Model of the Year poll, decided by the votes of industry professionals.
From Awar Odhiang: the Chanel Fall/Winter 2026 campaign
From a refugee camp to the Paris runways
Odhiang was born to a South Sudanese family in a refugee camp in Ethiopia and grew up in Canada. Her family settled first in the city of Moose Jaw and then in Calgary; she began her modelling career by signing with an agency in Calgary. This story is also an important part of the “impact beyond the runway” that the council highlighted in its award announcement.
What did Odhiang and the BFC say?
In her statement about the award, Odhiang said:
“To be recognised as Model of the Year is an incredible honour.”
The model noted that being recognised as Model of the Year is an incredible honour for her. She went on to add:
“I have always believed that you can be both kind and strong, both gentle and resilient.”
In other words, she said she has always believed one can be both kind and strong, both gentle and resilient.
BFC chief executive Laura Weir, meanwhile, said “Awar has brought a truly special energy to fashion this year”, emphasising that Odhiang has brought a truly special energy to fashion this year. Weir added that the industry is at its best when individuality, authenticity and joy are celebrated.
Why does it matter?
Model of the Year is one of the most closely watched categories at The Fashion Awards. Odhiang’s selection also shows how quickly a single high-profile show can change a career in the industry. It is also read as a sign that diversity in the campaign and runway choices of major fashion houses is no longer an exception but an expectation.
Seen from Türkiye, the picture is instructive too: Odhiang’s journey shows how an international career is shaped by the right agency, a strong portfolio and the right show at the right time. Those interested in this field can take a look at our guide to what it takes to become a model and our guide to model agencies in Türkiye.
The winners in the other categories of The Fashion Awards 2026 will be announced at the ceremony on 30 November. The event is held as the biggest fundraising night financing the BFC’s work in support of British fashion.
Sources
- British Fashion Council: Awar Odhiang to receive the Model of the Year award at The Fashion Awards 2026
- FashionUnited: Model of the Year award story
- Daily Front Row: British Fashion Council announces the 2026 Model of the Year
Image: The Royal Albert Hall in London, the venue for the awards ceremony (representative image) — Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
