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The success-story of Anok Yai
Iconic supermodel and catwalk star at the age of 26, the charismatic young woman seems tailor-made for the flamboyant, magnetic world of Mugler. The ambassador of Alien Hypersense eau de parfum, in the campaign she embodies a mutant heroine with supernatural powers, as sensual as she is conquering. We met the fascinating Anok, who, alongside her career in the spotlight, devotes her time to painting and taking part in artist residencies.
Interview by Abby Schreiber.
Like a cross between an alien warrior queen and a high-fashion version of Neo from The Matrix, Anok Yai stalks, climbs, and be-witches in Mugler’s campaign video for the fragrance Alien Hypersense. As the face of the new eau de parfum, the 26-year-old supermodel adds a new milestone to her ongoing collaboration with the brand, a partnership that includes iconic moments like when she went gliding down the runway with a voluminous scarf dramatically flowing behind her at the close of Mugler’s spring-summer 2024 show. Yai, who was among the finalists for the Fashion Awards’ 2023 Model of the Year, sat down with Numéro to chat about shooting the Alien Hypersense campaign and embarking on a new journey as an artist.
Interview with the model Anok Yai, Mugler muse
NUMÉRO: What was it like filming for Alien Hypersense?
Anok Yai: It literally felt like I was on a movie set. I was able to do my own stunts! There was a scene planned where I would climb up a wall – the original idea was to do it as CGI, but I asked if I could do it in real life. So they rigged me up, and there I was climbing on the wall. It was really hard, but very exciting, and I was so proud of myself in the moment!
Presumably you got to practise before the stunt?
Yes, it’s dangerous, so I practised with the harnesses for a whole day. They had me jumping very high ! But the hardest part was doing the stunts in heels!
An incredible success-story
Mugler describes Alien Hypersense as “woody, fruity, and floral” with notes of “green mandarin, pear accord, jasmine sambac, and cashmeran. How do you feel when you wear it?
Like I’m the only woman in the room. I feel extremely alluring, sexy and mysterious. It makes me feel very confident too. I especially like to wear it on a date.
You’ve described modelling as a silent form of acting. With the Hypersense campaign, what character were you portraying?
I wanted to give off a panther vibe, but at the same time appear alien. I also really liked the idea of the shoot looking like an action film, so I went into full Angelina Jolie mode.
You were shortlisted for Model of the Year by the 2023 Fashion Awards. What was your reaction when you first heard the news?
I was shell-shocked. When it was announced, the first thing I thought about was when I was 16 years old and my parents said, “Anok, you have to work as hard as you can because we can’t afford to pay your way through college.” I was working 40 hours a week – as a house cleaner, at Walmart, and also at another store. There were moments where I felt like I’d hit a wall and didn’t know what would happen. I was really struggling to get through school. So when I was nominated for Model of the Year, it was one of those moments where I just couldn’t believe how far I’ve now come.
“I’d like the entire world to see me in a new light.” Anok Yai
What’s new for you this year?
I don’t think many people know I’m an artist… I’ve been working on a project that took me about a year to make. I started it one Christmas when I was staying at the Standard Hotel in London with Daniel Caesar, Omar Apollo, and Mustafa the Poet. I got inspiration hopping between their rooms. This painting came out of that moment we shared together. I also did a residency with Kehinde Wiley at Black Rock in Senegal. Kehinde has been a real mentor for me. To the point where whenever I have an artistic block, I’ll call him and he’ll give me advice. I must say that doing the residency was one of the biggest blessings I could possibly have had. I just sat by a beach and painted all day for a whole month. I finished the painting I’d started in London.
When will the piece be unveiled?
I can’t tell anything because I’m still in talks with a few different people. I don’t want to rush because it’s very important to me. I want it to be something impactful and I’d like the entire world to see me in a new light.
Hair : Panos Papandrianos with Bumble and Bumble at The Wall Group. Make up : Keita Moore at The Only Agency. Nails : Dawn Sterling at EDMA World. Set design : Rusty Snyder. Assistant : Lexi Lang. Photo assistant : Neri Mastriani-Levi. Production : Bianca Javogue and Siân Lathrop at Starkman & Associates.
