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Anok Yai makes history, becomes the second black model to open a Prada show after Naomi Campbell in 1997
The 19-year-old was discovered last fall as she was attending Howard University’s homecoming and has now made history with Prada
Supermodel Naomi Campbell made history back in 1997 as she opened the Prada runway and two full decades later he 19-year-old Anok Yai made history as she became the second woman of colour who opened a Prada runway at the ongoing Milan Fashion Week 2018
Anok took to Instagram to thank Miuccia Prada, along with her team, for the opportunity, writing, "PRADA WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE. This is something that I'd only dream of. Thank you, Ms Prada, Olivier Rizzo @willyvanderperre @ashleybrokaw @kylehagler and the Next team for giving the little girl from Manch a chance. Can't believe I'm the first black woman to open for Prada since queen @iamnaomicampbell, forever grateful. And thank you to @patmcgrathreal @cheriejohnson56 and @guidopalau they made me look extra chic - PRADA CHIC"
The model has a special relationship with Prada as she made her runway debut at Prada's Menswear Fall 2018 show. Anok was discovered last fall as she was attending Howard University’s homecoming.
Like man other brands, Prada too has come under scrutiny for its lack of diversity both on the runway and in its campaigns but this move of having the 19-year-old model open the show is the right move for the Italian fashion house Prada. With women of colour accounting for 37.3% of all castings at New York Fashion Week Fall 2018 shows it is delightful, encouraging and refreshing to see the fashion industry moving in the correct direction.
