Awar Odhiang is a Canadian-South Sudanese supermodel who rose from a refugee camp to the world’s most prestigious fashion runways.
Born in 2000 in the Pinyudo Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, she is now one of the most in-demand models in the global fashion industry.
Her unforgettable moment closing the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 show turned her from a well-kept industry secret into an international sensation overnight.
Who is Awar Odhiang?
Awar Odhiang is a Canadian model of South Sudanese descent who has walked for the biggest luxury fashion houses in the world. She is best known for her infectious joy and commanding runway presence.
Her story is one of resilience and determination. From a refugee camp to the covers of Vogue Italia and Harper’s Bazaar, her journey is nothing short of remarkable.
She belongs to the Anyuak (Anuak) ethnic group, whose roots are in South Sudan. Today, she is widely regarded as one of the most exciting new faces in international fashion.
The world of fashion took full notice of her in October 2025. That is when she closed the debut Chanel collection of designer Matthieu Blazy at Paris Fashion Week, smiling, clapping, and radiating pure joy down the runway.
As Business of Fashion notes, she is one of the most versatile and globally recognised faces in contemporary fashion. She is also a regular on the Models.com Top 50 ranking.
Early Life of Awar Odhiang
Awar Odhiang was born in 2000 in the Pugnido (Pinyudo) Refugee Camp in Ethiopia. Her parents are Anyuak people who fled South Sudan before her birth to escape the country’s brutal civil war.
In 2002, a church sponsored her family’s resettlement in Canada. They settled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where Awar would spend most of her childhood.
Life in a small Canadian town was not easy for her. According to the Calgary Herald, she was bullied in school, recalling that she rarely saw other Black families or people who looked like her in Moose Jaw.
When Awar was 16, her family relocated to Calgary, Alberta. That move would eventually change the entire course of her life.
She has six siblings. Her younger sister, Nepapery Odhiang, is also a model. Odhiang and her father are also involved in philanthropic work in South Sudan.
Awar Odhiang Age
Awar Odhiang is 25 years old as of 2026, born in 2000. Her exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed beyond the birth year. She remains one of the youngest models to achieve such rapid global recognition.
Awar Odhiang Ethnicity and Nationality
Awar Odhiang is Canadian by nationality and South Sudanese by heritage. She belongs to the Anyuak ethnic group, an indigenous people of South Sudan and Ethiopia.
She holds Canadian citizenship, having immigrated as a toddler. Her identity as a South Sudanese-Canadian woman is something she speaks about openly and with great pride.
Awar Odhiang Height and Weight
Awar Odhiang stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall. Her statuesque frame gives her an effortlessly commanding presence on the runway.
Awar weight has not been officially disclosed by the model or her representatives. Her modelling stats, as listed on the Fashion Spot, note a 23-inch waist and 34-inch hips.
Her physical presence is immediately striking. Industry professionals and fashion editors consistently describe her as one of the most magnetic models walking today.
Awar Odhiang Education
Awar Odhiang grew up in Canada and attended school in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before her family moved to Calgary. She has not publicly disclosed the specific schools she attended.
Before modelling became her career, she reportedly dreamed of becoming a doctor. That ambition reflects the driven, focused personality she later brought to the fashion world.
She did not pursue formal post-secondary education, choosing instead to follow her modelling career after being scouted twice while still a teenager in Calgary.
Awar Odhiang Career
Getting Scouted
Awar Odhiang’s path into modelling began in Calgary when she was 16. Canadian model-turned-agent Lisa Kauffmann spotted her first and saw her potential immediately.
A year later, while working at an Old Navy store in Market Mall, she was scouted again. This time, Kelly Streit approached her and signed her to Mode Models International, a Calgary-based agency, with Kauffmann’s blessing.
Her career was about to take a major turn.
Before signing to Mode Models, she had been working at SSENSE, a Montreal-based luxury fashion retailer. That retail job was her last before fashion took over completely.
Breaking Into International Fashion
In January 2020, Odhiang boarded a plane to Italy for the first time. It was also her first time leaving Canada since arriving there as a toddler. She had signed with an Italian modelling agency and was ready to take on the international market.
Her rise was steady and impressive. By September 2021, she had landed the cover of Le Monde d’Hermès, one of the most prestigious editorial placements in fashion.
From there, the bookings kept coming. She went on to appear on the covers of AnOther, Harper’s Bazaar France, Harper’s Bazaar Italia, i-D, and Pop magazine, among others.
The Chanel Moment That Changed Everything
In February 2024, Awar walked an extraordinary 34 runway shows in a single season. She appeared for Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace, among others.
That same year, she also made her debut on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway in October 2024. It was a milestone moment that signalled her arrival at the very top of the industry.
Then came October 2025. Odhiang was chosen to close Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for Chanel at the Grand Palais in Paris. She was only the third Black model in 115 years of Chanel shows to close a runway presentation.
She walked out in a white silk shirt and a voluminous, colourful feathered skirt. Then she smiled, clapped, and twirled down the runway, before running to embrace Blazy at the end.
The moment went viral instantly. Russh Magazine described it as “breaking tradition,” while the South China Morning Post called it “a triumphant celebration.”
As Odhiang told Vogue, Blazy had encouraged her before the show: “This is your moment, this is a chance for you to just enjoy it, do what you do, and do you.” She took those words to heart.
From Industry Secret to Global Star
Following the Chanel moment, Awar’s profile exploded globally. In February 2026, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia, which declared her “the topmodel of the moment.”
She also walked in the 2025 season for Hermès, Schiaparelli, Jil Sander, Zara SRPLS, Max Mara, and Prada. Her campaign portfolio includes Prada Autumn/Winter 2025, Loro Piana Autumn/Winter 2025, and Sportmax, among many others.
Few models reach that level of reach across both runway and campaign work simultaneously.
She also walked the Vogue World: Hollywood 2025 runway at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles in October 2025, further cementing her status as a global fashion force.
Awar Odhiang Awards and Recognition
Awar Odhiang was nominated for Model of the Year in 2024, a testament to her rapid rise through the ranks of the fashion world. She is a consistent presence on the Models.com Top 50 list.
Vogue Italia’s recognition of her as “the top model of the moment” in February 2026 stands as one of the most significant accolades in the industry. It came alongside her cover of the iconic Italian fashion magazine. That is not a title the fashion world gives lightly.
Her closing of the Chanel SS26 show is itself considered one of the most memorable runway moments in recent fashion history. It was widely covered by Reuters, AFP, the South China Morning Post, and fashion outlets worldwide.
Awar Odhiang Boyfriend
Awar Odhiang has not publicly confirmed a romantic partner as of 2026. She keeps her personal life largely private, and no relationship has been reported by major media outlets.
Until she makes an official statement, her relationship status remains unknown. Any claims circulating online about a boyfriend or partner are unverified.
She appears focused primarily on her rapidly growing career. Her public presence is dedicated to fashion, family, and philanthropy rather than personal disclosures.
Awar Odhiang Net Worth
Awar Odhiang’s exact net worth is around $500k as of 2026. Her income streams include high-fashion runway fees, advertising campaigns for brands such as Prada, Hermès, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, and editorial bookings for top international magazines.
She landmark closing of the Chanel SS26 show and her Vogue Italia cover are expected to lead to even higher-profile and higher-paying opportunities in the years ahead.
Her net worth is grow considerably as her career continues to accelerate through 2026 and beyond.
Awar Odhiang Social Media
Awar Odhiang is active on Instagram at @awarodhiang, where she has amassed over 67,000 followers as of mid-2026. Her feed features runway moments, campaign images, and personal glimpses into her life.
Her Instagram following has been growing rapidly since her Chanel moment went viral in October 2025. Fashion fans and industry insiders alike follow her account for updates on her work.
She does not appear to maintain a high-profile presence on other platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok at this time. Instagram remains her primary social media home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Awar Odhiang’s net worth?
Awar Odhiang’s exact net worth is around $500K.
How old is Awar Odhiang?
Awar Odhiang is 25 years old as of 2026, born in 2000 in the Pinyudo Refugee Camp in Ethiopia.
Who is Awar Odhiang’s boyfriend?
Awar Odhiang has not publicly confirmed a romantic partner as of 2026. Her personal life remains private.
What is Awar Odhiang’s height?
Awar Odhiang stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall, according to her Wikipedia profile and modelling agency listings.
Where was Awar Odhiang born?
She was born in the Pugnido (Pinyudo) Refugee Camp in Ethiopia in 2000, before her family relocated to Canada in 2002.
What is Awar Odhiang’s ethnicity?
Awar Odhiang is of South Sudanese-Anyuak heritage. She holds Canadian citizenship and is of South Sudanese descent.
What is Awar Odhiang famous for?
She is best known for closing the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 runway show at Paris Fashion Week, a viral moment that launched her to global fame.
Which brands has Awar Odhiang modelled for?
She has modelled for Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Fendi, Versace, and many more top luxury fashion houses.
The Bottom Line
Awar Odhiang is one of the most compelling stories in fashion today.
From a refugee camp in Ethiopia to the cover of Vogue Italia and the closing look at Chanel, her journey is a powerful reminder of what courage, resilience, and genuine joy can achieve.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Awar Odhiang. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!