There was something unusually refreshing about the way Awar Odhiang closed Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel show in October 2025. Dressed in a white silk shirt and an exuberant, multicolored skirt, she walked the runway with a smile that seemed to disregard every unwritten rule about how a high-fashion finale should look. She celebrated, clapped, and embraced the designer, turning what was already an important runway appearance into one of the season’s most memorable fashion moments. Almost a year later, that moment has become part of a much bigger story: Awar Odhiang has been named Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards 2026.
The recognition is significant not because of the luxury campaigns and international magazine covers that have followed, but because of what her presence represents. Odhiang’s career has developed at the intersection of fashion, identity, representation, and a changing understanding of what makes a compelling runway model. The Ethiopian-born, Canadian-raised talent has moved from working behind the counter at Old Navy to becoming a familiar face at some of the industry’s most influential fashion houses. Here are 10 things to know about the model whose personality has become just as recognizable as her runway presence.
Here are 10 facts to know about Awar Odhiang, the Fashion Awards 2026 Model of the Year…
#1. Her Story Began in a Refugee Camp in Ethiopia
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Before the international runways and luxury campaigns, there was Pugnido, a refugee camp in Ethiopia where Odhiang was born. Her parents are South Sudanese and had fled the country’s civil war in search of safety. Her early circumstances were far removed from the world she would eventually enter, but her family’s journey brought her to Canada in 2002.
She spent her early years in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before moving to Calgary as a teenager. That journey across countries and cultures is an important part of her background, particularly as she has become a visible figure for women of African descent in international fashion.
#2. She Didn’t Always See Herself as Beautiful
One of the more revealing details about Odhiang’s childhood is that her confidence was not always as apparent as it is on the runway today. Growing up in Moose Jaw, where Black representation was limited, she experienced bullying and often felt out of place.
In an interview with the Calgary Herald, she recalled struggling to see herself as beautiful because there were so few people around her who looked like her. It is an interesting contrast to her current position in an industry where her distinctive appearance has become one of her greatest professional assets.
#3. A Job at Old Navy Led to Her Modeling Career
Odhiang’s discovery story is considerably less glamorous than the career it eventually produced. She was reportedly folding clothes at an Old Navy store when Kelly Streit, founder of Mode Models International, noticed her.
That encounter introduced her to professional modeling and set her on a path that would eventually take her to Paris, Milan, and New York. It is also a reminder that some of fashion’s most recognizable faces enter the industry through unexpected circumstances rather than carefully orchestrated introductions.
#4. Her Chanel Finale Was a Defining Fashion Moment
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The Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 show remains the most recognizable turning point in Odhiang’s recent career. Presented during Paris Fashion Week in October 2025, it marked Matthieu Blazy’s highly anticipated debut as creative director of the French fashion house.
Odhiang was chosen to close the presentation, becoming the third Black model to hold that position in Chanel’s 115-year history. But it was her reaction at the end of the runway that gave the appearance its personality. She abandoned the restrained expression expected of a traditional runway finale, smiling and celebrating before embracing Blazy.
She later explained that the designer had encouraged her to enjoy the moment and be herself. The result was a runway appearance that resonated beyond the clothes, offering a different kind of energy at one of fashion’s most closely watched shows.
#5. She Has Become a Familiar Face at the World’s Biggest Fashion Houses
Chanel was not an isolated achievement. Odhiang has built an impressive runway portfolio that includes Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Chloé, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Schiaparelli.
What makes this range noteworthy is the variety of fashion identities represented. From the theatrical approach of Schiaparelli to the understated luxury associated with Loro Piana, her work demonstrates an ability to operate across very different creative directions without losing her own presence.
#6. Her Campaign Credits Extend From Chanel to H&M
Her commercial portfolio is equally varied. Odhiang has appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana, and H&M.
The distinction between these brands is worth noting. She is not confined to one particular corner of the market or a single luxury aesthetic. Her appeal stretches from established European fashion houses to a global high-street retailer, demonstrating the commercial versatility that makes a model valuable to different audiences.
#7. Eight International Magazine Covers Have Added to Her 2026 Momentum
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Runway appearances tell only part of the story. According to the British Fashion Council, Odhiang has appeared on eight international magazine covers in 2026, including titles such as Dazed, Harper’s Bazaar France, Vogue France, and Vogue Italia.
These covers matter because editorial recognition gives a model a different kind of visibility. Rather than appearing briefly in a designer’s collection, she becomes the central subject of a publication’s visual identity. For Odhiang, that visibility has helped turn a successful runway career into a broader fashion presence.
#8. Representation Is Part of Her Influence
Odhiang’s growing profile has also given her a platform to speak about the importance of inclusion in fashion. She has championed greater representation for Black models, making her achievements meaningful beyond the personal milestones attached to her career.
Her Chanel finale was particularly important in this regard. Closing a show with such a long history carried significance for audiences who have rarely seen Black models occupy that position. Her success does not erase the industry’s longstanding representation challenges, but it adds another important face to a conversation that continues to shape fashion.
#9. Her Model of the Year Award Was Decided by Fashion Insiders
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The British Fashion Council’s Model of the Year award is not simply a popularity contest. Odhiang was selected by a panel of industry professionals that included casting directors, photographers, stylists, and editors.
Casting director Anita Bitton chaired the jury, with photographer Campbell Addy and stylist Carlos Nazario among the notable names involved. Bitton praised Odhiang’s development, describing her talent as undeniable while emphasizing the hard work and curiosity behind her progress.
The award recognizes a model whose influence extends beyond the catwalk, taking into account her contribution to the industry over the previous year.
#10. She Wants Other Women to Embrace Their Full Selves
Perhaps the most interesting part of Odhiang’s response to the announcement was what she chose to emphasize. Rather than focusing exclusively on professional achievement, she spoke about the relationship between kindness, strength, gentleness, and resilience.
She explained that people should never feel they have to dim their light to belong or lose their softness to prove their strength. It is a particularly fitting message from someone whose most celebrated runway moment came from doing something as simple as allowing herself to enjoy the experience.
British Fashion Council chief executive Laura Weir echoed that sentiment, praising Odhiang for bringing individuality, authenticity, positivity, and joy to fashion.
The Fashion Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on November 30, but Odhiang’s recognition already feels like a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary year. Her career is a reminder that a model’s influence is not always measured by how many runways she walks or campaigns she books. Sometimes, it is the personality she brings to those opportunities that makes people remember her.
Featured image: Chanel
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