Awar Odhiang Named Model of the Year
The British Fashion Council will honor the Ethiopian-Canadian model at The Fashion Awards 2026 in London.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Fashion
The British Fashion Council has announced that Awar Odhiang will be named Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards 2026, which take place in London. A panel of casting directors, stylists, photographers and editors selected her for the award.
Why it matters
The award recognizes a model whose global impact has defined the industry over the last year. It highlights Odhiang's work on runways and campaigns for major fashion houses and her advocacy for greater representation and inclusion for Black models.
Odhiang has appeared on runways and in campaigns for Chanel, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana and H&M, and closed Matthieu Blazy's debut at Chanel. The source does not provide sales, viewership or booking metrics.
The players
Awar Odhiang
Ethiopian-Canadian model born in a refugee camp who has worked with major fashion houses and advocated for greater representation of Black models.
British Fashion Council
The London-based organization that runs The Fashion Awards and announced the honor.
The details
Odhiang, who was born in a refugee camp, has championed greater representation and inclusion for Black models across the industry. The British Fashion Council made the announcement on November 4, 2026, ahead of the ceremony in London later that month.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: The British Fashion Council announces Odhiang as Model of the Year.
Later in November 2026: The Fashion Awards 2026 ceremony takes place in London.
Industry Dynamics
The Model of the Year award at The Fashion Awards recognizes individuals whose influence extends beyond single campaigns to shape the wider industry. Odhiang's selection reflects the category's focus on representation and inclusion in high-profile fashion work.
Fashion fans can follow the November 2026 ceremony in London for the full list of winners. The announcement itself does not change how readers buy or view the featured fashion houses' products.
The takeaway
Recognition like the Model of the Year award highlights how representation behind the camera and on the runway can change which faces define the industry. Readers interested in the subject can watch how the next generation of models is celebrated in coming seasons.
What happens next
The Fashion Awards 2026 ceremony takes place in London later in November 2026.
Further reading
For more on how models shape the industry, explore Fashion.
