Models
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.
Romanda Hombir has been crowned Miss World Africa 2026 after reaching the final six at the 73rd Miss World final in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The 27-year-old South African clinical audiologist was named Miss World Africa after reaching the Top 6, while Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic won the global title. Hombir’s Top 6 finish is South Africa’s best Miss World result since Rolene Strauss won the global crown in 2014.
Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir
Hombir’s progress began with a win in the African Head-to-Head Challenge, which earned her an automatic place in the Top 40.
She went on to reach the Top 20 and then the Top 12 before securing her place in the final six.
Her result came alongside a strong showing from other African contestants. Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin also reached the Top 6, while Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George advanced to the Top 12 after winning the Miss World Africa Top Model competition.
Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir
Hombir is a clinical audiologist and community health advocate. She founded the Caring Purpose Foundation, which works on healthcare access, literacy programmes, nutrition initiatives, mobile health screenings and skills development.
Healthcare has also been central to her Miss World advocacy. Hombir has spoken publicly about her experience with endometriosis and has used her platform to raise awareness of women’s health conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and fibroids.
Her Beauty With a Purpose project focused on improving access to healthcare while connecting health advocacy with education and community development.
Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir
Hombir is from kaNyamazane in Mpumalanga and is of Swati, Zulu and German heritage. She speaks English, Siswati, isiZulu and Afrikaans, as well as basic South African Sign Language.
She previously competed at Miss World South Africa, finishing as second runner-up in 2024. In 2026, she returned to the competition and won the national title in July, earning the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Miss World competition in Vietnam.
The national crown was awarded on Mandela Day, July 18, at the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn, Pretoria. Former Miss World finalist Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala presented the crown under South Africa’s new Miss World licence.
Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir
Hombir and Tewoldemedhin’s Top 6 finishes gave Africa two places among the final six contestants. Tewoldemedhin also won the global fan vote, receiving more than 13 million votes.
Nigeria’s Karibi-George reached the Top 12 after winning Miss World Africa Top Model, which secured her a place in the Top 40.
Hombir’s new title gives her greater visibility for the healthcare and community work she has pursued alongside her professional career.
Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir
She has said she hopes to contribute to healthcare and education policy, particularly in areas affecting children and vulnerable communities. She has also expressed an ambition to work with the United Nations on healthcare, education and nutrition access.
Her Miss World campaign took her from winning the Miss World South Africa title to the African Head-to-Head Challenge, followed by progression through the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top 6.
The global crown went to Mola, but Hombir leaves Vietnam as Miss World Africa 2026 and one of South Africa’s highest-placed Miss World contestants in recent years.
A new Prison Break reboot is officially in the works. This comes eight years after the first series ended. The news has brought excitement among movie enthusiasts who loved the original show. The reboot is being developed by Hulu, and promises to bring a new plot to the story while keeping the suspense and drama intact.
This new version of Prison Break is not linked to the old story. New characters and settings are expected to be introduced. The project is headed by Elgin James, who is renowned in the movie industry. James is also an excellent writer, and the director of the pilot episode. He has unique storytelling skills, and movie fans expect him to bring a captivating tone to the new series. The original producers also return as executive producers to maintain the show’s familiar feel.
Georgie Flores : IMDB
Emily Browning plays the role of Cassidy, an ex-soldier who becomes a warden at one of America’s toughest prisons. Her story revolves around the themes of loyalty, love, and survival. She unfortunately got involved in dire circumstances that test her resolve. Other characters involved are Lukas Gage, Drake Rodger, Clayton Cardenas, JR Bourne, Georgie Flores, and Myles Bullock. Filming started in early 2025 in West Virginia, with an official release date expected soon.
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It’s not yet certain if Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies and William Fichtner will play any part in this series. Some reports suggest they will play some role, while others report they won’t feature. When the trailer finally comes out, fans will find out.
Myles Bullock : IMDb
The timing of the reboot is intentional as it shows renewed interest in the series, especially after it found new audiences through streaming platforms. Those who missed out on the first series rediscovered it online. This has fueled the decision to revisit the world of Prison Break in another way.
The challenge of the team will be keeping the movie interesting without repeating the storyline of the former movie. With a good cast and an experienced team, the new series will appeal to both long-time fans and new movie lovers.
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