5 Things to Know About Awar Odhiang, the Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards 2026

Awar Odhiang has been named Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards 2026, following a year that included international magazine covers, runway appearances for major fashion houses and advertising campaigns for leading luxury brands.

The British Fashion Council announced the Canadian model as the winner on 4 November. The recognition follows her appearance at Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel show, where she closed the Spring/Summer 2026 presentation.

Born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents and raised in Canada, Odhiang has spoken about growing up with limited representation of people who looked like her. Her background, entry into modelling and work with some of the fashion industry’s biggest brands offer a closer look at the woman behind the award.

Here are five things to know about Awar Odhiang.

She Was Born in a Refugee Camp in Ethiopia

Photo: Instagram/@Awar Odhiang

Odhiang was born in the Pugnido refugee camp in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents. Her family moved to Canada in 2002 and eventually settled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She later spent time in Calgary.

Growing up in Moose Jaw, she rarely saw Black families or people who shared her background. She has recalled feeling like an outsider and struggling to see herself as beautiful because of the limited representation around her.

Her experiences growing up in Canada have informed her comments about representation in fashion, particularly the visibility of Black and South Sudanese women.

She Was Discovered While Working at Old Navy

Photo: Instagram/@Awar Odhiang

Odhiang did not initially set out to become a model. Her entry into the industry came while she was working at Old Navy, where she was noticed by Kelly Streit, founder of Calgary-based modelling agency Mode Models International.

The encounter led to an opportunity to pursue modelling professionally, eventually taking her beyond Canada’s fashion industry.

Since then, she has walked for major fashion houses, including Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Schiaparelli, Hermès and Jacquemus. She has also appeared in the Models.com Top 50 ranking, which tracks established and emerging models in the international fashion industry.

Her Chanel Runway Appearance Became a Defining Career Moment

Photo: Instagram/@Awar Odhiang

One of Odhiang’s most widely discussed runway appearances came in October 2025, when she closed Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for Chanel.

Presented at the Grand Palais in Paris, the Spring/Summer 2026 show marked Blazy’s first collection for the French fashion house. Odhiang appeared in a white silk shirt and a multicoloured skirt for the finale.

Her reaction at the end of the show attracted attention. She smiled, twirled and clapped before embracing Blazy as he came out to acknowledge the models.

In an interview with Vogue after the show, Odhiang explained that her reaction was spontaneous. Blazy had encouraged her to enjoy the occasion and express herself, and she followed his advice.

She also made history as the third Black woman to close a Chanel show in the house’s 115-year history, following Alek Wek in 2004 and Adut Akech in 2018.

Odhiang spoke about feeling proud to represent Black and South Sudanese women, particularly those who rarely see themselves reflected in major fashion presentations.

She Has Worked With Some of Fashion’s Biggest Names

Photo: Instagram/@Awar Odhiang

Odhiang’s career includes runway appearances, advertising campaigns and international magazine editorials. Her work has taken her to major fashion houses and publications across the industry.

In 2026, she appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana and H&M, according to the British Fashion Council.

Her editorial work also included eight international magazine covers during the year, with appearances across titles such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Dazed and i-D.

Among these projects was her Dazed Summer 2026 cover, photographed by Carlijn Jacobs and styled by Imruh Asha. She also appeared on the November 2026 cover of Harper’s Bazaar France, photographed by Theo Sion.

She Has Spoken About the Importance of Representation

Photo: Instagram/@Awar Odhiang

Odhiang has discussed the importance of greater representation for Black models in fashion, drawing on her own experiences growing up with few people who shared her background.

Her comments about visibility have also been connected to her experience at Chanel. After closing Blazy’s debut show, she spoke about wanting to make her family and Black and South Sudanese women proud.

The British Fashion Council recognised her contribution to representation when announcing her Model of the Year win on 4 November.

The 2026 Fashion Awards ceremony will take place on 30 November at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Odhiang was selected by a panel of fashion professionals chaired by casting director Anita Bitton. Photographer Campbell Addy and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson were also among the panel members.

Her Model of the Year recognition follows a year of major runway appearances, fashion campaigns and international magazine covers, marking another important award in her modelling career.