A fashion milestone: 20 years since black model opened Prada
loading...
For a designer as socio-politically conscious as Muccia Prada it seems odd and incongruous it took twenty years and forty seasons for her to cast a black model to open her womenswear show.
It was an historic moment thus when model Anok Yai opened Prada's autumn winter 2018 show during Milan Fashion Week.
Yai is only the second model to ever open a Prada runway presentation - the first being Naomi Campbell back in 1997.
The 19-year old model, who is signed to Next agency, took to Instagram to thank Miuccia Prada, writing: "Can't believe I'm the first black woman to open for Prada since queen @iamnaomicampbell, forever grateful."
Yai was discovered last autumn while attending Howard University’s homecoming. Weeks later, she signed with Next Models. In January she made her runway debut at Prada's Menswear Fall 2018 show, also in Milan.
Prada has previously come under scrutiny for its lack of diversity both on the runway and in its campaigns. In 2013 Prada cast model Malaika Firth for its winter campaign, the first black model in 19 years. The previous accolade was also held by Naomi Campbell, who starred in the brand's campaign in 1994.
According to Harper's Bazaar the Fall 2018 shows at New York Fashion Week marked the most racially diverse of all time—with women of color accounting for 37.3 percent of all castings.