The 2024 Fashion Awards sparked a heated conversation across social media after supermodel Anok Yai was passed over for the prestigious Model of the Year award. This marks the fourth consecutive time Yai has been nominated but walked away without the win, despite her undeniable influence in the fashion industry.
This year, the coveted award went to Alex Consani, who made history as the first transgender model to receive the honor. The British Fashion Council describes the award as recognizing a model who has “dominated the industry” over the past 12 months.
Following the announcement, Yai took to social media to congratulate Consani, expressing pride in her peer’s accomplishment. “Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you,” Yai wrote. However, she also didn’t shy away from addressing her own feelings. “British Fashion Council, thank you, but I don’t want it anymore,” she added, signaling a growing frustration with the industry’s pattern of recognition.
Yai elaborated further in a post on X (formerly Twitter), explaining her mixed emotions. “If you have seen the effort that I’ve seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her,” she wrote. “But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It doesn’t take away how much love we have for each other.”
Yai’s sentiments resonated deeply with many on Black Twitter, where users were quick to point out the systemic challenges faced by Black women in the fashion industry. Many described Yai’s loss as emblematic of the broader struggles Black women endure, often working harder yet receiving less recognition.
Also, read; Mathias Pogba Faces Trial Over Alleged Extortion of Brother Paul Pogba
“Anok Yai was robbed of MOTY twice in a row, and I just want y’all to remember that when Black women say they have to work 10x harder to get half as much as their white counterparts, it’s not a joke. Especially in the fashion industry,” one user wrote.
Others echoed similar frustrations, with one commenter stating, “I actually hate the modeling industry. How has Anok Yai been snubbed for Model of the Year for 4 YEARS? I like Alex Consani, and she did her thing, but come on.”
Yai’s influence as a supermodel is undeniable. From gracing countless runways to appearing in major fashion campaigns, she has consistently set a high standard in the industry. Her repeated losses, however, have reignited conversations about the underrepresentation and undervaluing of Black talent in fashion.
While the recognition of Alex Consani is a milestone for diversity and inclusion, many argue that celebrating one marginalized group should not come at the expense of another.
As the conversation continues online, Yai’s graceful yet honest response reflects her resilience. For many of her fans, the loss is another reminder of the disparities within the fashion world—disparities that remain a work in progress despite strides toward inclusivity.
Whether or not the Model of the Year award lands in her hands in the future, Anok Yai’s influence and legacy are already cemented in the fashion industry, and her supporters are determined to ensure her contributions are not overlooked.