Adut Akech has just been crowned model of the year at The British Fashion Awards 2019. The 19-year old model – who has appeared in campaigns for Saint Laurent, Valentino and Zara – was in a category which included Adwoa Aboah, Adesuwa Aighewi, Kaia Gerber and Winnie Harlow. Taking to the stage to accept her award, Akech referenced her past experiences as a refugee, paying tribute to the millions of displaced people around the world. 'I want them never to be afraid of dreaming big like I did,' she said, as the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
But who is Adut Akech? Here’s everything you need to know about the Sudanese-Australian Model
She’s Spoken Out About Her Experiences As A Refugee
After moving from Kenya with her mother and five siblings as Sudanese refugees when she was six years old, Adut has used modelling as a platform to speak openly about her experience and raise awareness. Talking at the Business of Fashion Voices event she said ‘no amount of money or my status or how famous or whatever the case is…I’m always going to be a refugee’. She also posted a photo on Instagram celebrating the bravery of Sudanese refugees and promoting the Nansen Refugee Award quoting: 'We don’t give up, we still have hope'.
She Was Chanel’s First Black Runway Bride In Over A Decade
Yeah - a decade. And totally rocked it in a mint-green embellished two-piece suit in the brand's signature tweed, after being hand-picked by Karl Lagerfeld for the show. Previously the first black model to walk the couture runway was Alek Wek in 2004.
She’s A Champion for Racial Equality In The Modelling Industry
Following her success as a model, Adut set a precedent and her agency (Elite) hired four more black models. In an interview with Vogue, Adut said that she plans one day to start her own modelling agency in South Sudan 'There are so many dark-skinned girls that have the potential, but they just don’t have the connections or resources.'
Her And Naomi Campbell Are #bffgoals
The model has previously said she looked up to Naomi Campbell as a role model when she was growing up, but now the pair are so close she’s even referred to Naomi as being like her second mum. Underneath an Instagram selfie she wrote ‘love you so much ma’ and revealed that Naomi checks in on her to see if she’s sleeping properly and eating enough. Cutest. Thing. Ever.
She’s Super Down-To-Earth
You would think that walking for the likes of Givenchy and Dior and being styled for the Pirelli calendar by Edward Enninful would make you just the teeniest bit egocentric, right? But Adut firmly shirks that label. In an interview she confessed that her dream is to finish her studies and that she’s completing an online course in Economics.
She's Set Her Sights On Changing The World
Adut has spoken about her concern for wider global issues and especially those without housing, revealing that she hopes to one day start a charity to tackle homelessness 'Poverty is something I think about a lot' she said, speaking to Voguein an interview 'I’d like to start a foundation to help with homelessness…for some people it’s really a struggle out there.'
SEE: The Best Dressed Of The Fashion Awards 2019
Fashion Awards Red Carpet Arrivals 2019
1 of 115Millie Mackintosh
Newly pregnant Millie Mackintosh opted for a pistachio, high-neck dress with blouson sleeves by Emilia Wickstead rented from My Wardrobe HQ.
2 of 115Arizona Muse
Model and activist Arizona Muse wore an elegant three-piece suit, in head-to-toe white by sustainable fashion brand Deck rented from My Wardrobe HQ.
3 of 115Little Simz
British rapper Little Simz in a navy suit, printed blouse, heeled Gucci loafers and an eye-catching orange hat.
4 of 115Caroline Rush
Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, wore an elegant, off-shoulder gown by Emilia Wickstead.
5 of 115Lady Mary Charteris
Charteris wore a glittering gold gown by Giambattista Valli rented from My Wardrobe HQ, featuring a cut-away detail and bows on the sleeves. She carried a bag by Mulberry, and wore a necklace and earrings by Missoma.
6 of 115Stella Maxwell
Supermodel Stella Maxwell chose a paisley printed gown.
7 of 115Alice Naylor-Leyland
Naylor-Leyland chose a colourful Peter Pilotto dress rented from My Wardrobe HQ with exaggerated sleeves.
8 of 115James Blunt and Lady Sofia Wellesley
James Blunt arrived with his wife, Lady Sofia Wellesley, who wore a sequin dress by Needle & Thread rented from My Wardrobe HQ.
9 of 115Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding
The designer duo behind fashion label Palmer//Harding.
10 of 115Raye
The British singer wore an emerald silk dress that's part of a collaboration between Flannels and Vivienne Westwood.
11 of 115Ed Westwick
The Gossip Girl star wore a camel roll neck with his suit.
12 of 115AJ Tracey
The rapper wore a pair of custom Nike trainers designed by MattB Customs.
13 of 115Doina Ciobanu
The Insta-famous Doina paired Monica Vinader earrings with her own take on the classic tux.
14 of 115Molly Goddard
The designer naturally wore a dress of her own creation.
15 of 115Liya Kebede
The model wore one of the puffer skirts from her collaboration with Moncler and Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli.
16 of 115Raff Law
17 of 115Imran Amed
18 of 115Ludovic de saint Sernin
19 of 115Niomi Smart
The Youtube star wore a silver Gyunel gown.
20 of 115Ami and Aya Suzuki
21 of 115Yasmin Le Bon
22 of 115Noomi Rapace
The actress wore a striking red ensemble.
23 of 115Tracee Ellis Ross
This year's host opted for an ethereal white outfit complete with impressive jewels.
24 of 115Holly Willoughby
The TV star wore a floral print dress.
25 of 115Clara Paget
Paget wore a repurposed, up cycled dress by Ssōne and jewels by Swarovski.
26 of 115David Gandy
27 of 115Boy George
28 of 115Shailene Woodley
The actor also wore one of the amazing puffer creations from Liya Kebede's capsule collection with Moncler Genius and Pierpaolo Piccioli.
29 of 115Sergio Pizzorno
30 of 115Nathalie Emmanuel
31 of 115Sara Sampaio
32 of 115Laura Carmichael
33 of 115Matty Bovan
34 of 115Lilah Parsons
Parsons wore Osman.
35 of 115Barbara Palvin
36 of 115Chiara Ferragni
Chiara Ferrigni wore a gown designed especially for her by Etro.
37 of 115Zandra Rhodes
38 of 115Bethany Williams
39 of 115Lady Amelia Windsor
Lady Amelia Windsor wore a dusty-pink gown by PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI.
40 of 115Phoebe English
41 of 115Liam Payne and Maya Henry
42 of 115Lily James
43 of 115Daisy Lowe
44 of 115Adwoa Aboah
45 of 115Giorgio Armani and Julia Roberts
46 of 115Cate Blanchett
Joining Armani on the red carpet, Blanchett wore a gown from his couture collection, Armani Privé
47 of 115Lisa Eldridge
48 of 115Sam Claflin
49 of 115Naomi Watts
The actor wore a black off-the-shoulder Burberry gown.
50 of 115Alicia Silverstone
51 of 115Alexa Chung
Chung wore a dress inspired by Jane Birkin and created by her own label, ALEXACHUNG
52 of 115Lewis Hamilton
53 of 115Bel Powley
The actress wore J W Anderson
54 of 115Eoin Mcloughlin and Simone Rocha
55 of 115Sabine Getty
56 of 115Eleanor Tomlinson
57 of 115Patrick McDowell and Wilson Oryema
Wearing Patrick McDowell and upcycled Swarovski crystals
58 of 115Stella Tennant
59 of 115Zara Larsson
60 of 115Andrew Scott
61 of 115Irina Shayk
The supermodel wore Burberry
62 of 115Ama Lou
63 of 115Scott Wimsett and Alice Temperley MBE
64 of 115Louise Roe
Wearing Monica Vinader
65 of 115Miguel
66 of 115Rosie Hungtington Whiteley
67 of 115Michael Halpern
68 of 115Harris Reed
69 of 115Marine Serre and Suzy Menkes
70 of 115Giorgia Tordini
71 of 115Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert
Batgio wore a black dress by Richard Quinn
72 of 115Bella Thorne
73 of 115Simon Porte Jacquemus and Mica Arganaraz
74 of 115Rita Ora
The singer wore bespoke 16Arlington
75 of 115Halima Aden
Carrying a Roger Vivier clutch
76 of 115Laura Whitmore
77 of 115Camille Charriere
Wearing Simone Rocha
78 of 115Sabrina Elba
79 of 115Sandra Oh
Oh wore Erdem
80 of 115Jordan Grant
81 of 115Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful
82 of 115Karen Elson
Wearing Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney
83 of 115Naomi Campbell
The supermodel wore Alexander McQueen
84 of 115Joan Smalls
Smalls wore Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney
85 of 115Elsa Hosk
86 of 115Amber Valletta
The supermodel wore Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney
87 of 115Mollie King
Wearing Monica Vinader
88 of 115Caroline Daur
89 of 115Hana Cross
Wearing Monica Vinader and David Koma
90 of 115Matthew Morrison
91 of 115Lara Stone
92 of 115Betty Bachz
93 of 115Rochelle Humes
94 of 115Poppy Delevingne
Wearing Messika Jewellery
95 of 115Dina Asher-Smith
Wearing David Koma
96 of 115Angela Scanlon
Angela wore a custom pink velvet dress, by high street brand Warehouse. She accessorised with a clutch bag by Tyler Ellis, and necklace by Missoma.
97 of 115Lottie Moss
Lottie Moss wore a black layered gown by ALBERTA FERRETTI.
98 of 115Nadine Leopold
99 of 115Kylie Minogue
100 of 115Donatella Versace
Obviously, Donatella wore Versace.
101 of 115Anne Marie
102 of 115Clara Amfo
103 of 115Susanna Lau
Susie Bubble wore a tulle dress by Molly Goddard.
104 of 115Jessica Barden
105 of 115Charlotte Tilbury
106 of 115Adut Akech
The supermodel wore a green Valentino gown.
107 of 115Mark-Francis Vandelli
108 of 115Nicole Scherzinger
109 of 115Roksanda Ilincic
The designer wore one of her own colourful creations.
110 of 115Pixie Geldof
111 of 115Nicola Roberts
112 of 115Rihanna
The superstar wore a green mini dress and sheer shirt over the top, both from her own label Fenty.
113 of 115Fran Summers
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114 of 115Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire
115 of 115Adesuwa Aighewi
Wearing Messika Jewellery