Top model Awar Odhiang received a lovely honor today as the Models.com Industry’s Vote for Model of the Year: Women.

She’s had many high moments in her five-years career, but Odhiang’s October 2025 closing of Mathieu Blazy’s debut as Creative Director of Chanel sent most of us soaring into its spontaneous joy and beauty. Read AOC’s response.

I promised recently to share a tribute about Awar that appeared on photographer Rafael Pavaroti’sIG. Raf included Awar in a Chanel exclusive story for Vogue’s December issue. His words about the moment affected me deeply and expressed exactly what was going through my own mind in that moment when Awar Odhiang broke formation like she was running in the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby.

Watching her make that runway her own — note, Odhiang and Blazy are very tight — you knew that Awar Odhiang is a thoroughbred filly who is destined to live in the winner’s circle.