Adut Akech by Chris Colls in Raf Simons yellow.

Supermodel Adut Akech is breathtaking, posing in vibrant, modern luxury clothes for the August 2021 issue of ELLE US. Photographer Chris Colls [IG] captures Adut, who just became a global ambassador for Estee Lauder, with styling by Alex White.

In her interview Adut Akech Is Electric Roxanne Fequiere refreshes memories about Adut’s journey out of South Sudan. We’ve told that story many times on AOC in the last four years, so head-on over to ELLE to read Adut’s story of roadside birth on on Christmas Day in 1999 — somewhere between South Sudan and the Kenyan refugee camp Kakuma.

Adut Akech by Chris Colls in Alexander McQueen divine red dress.

The camp Kakuma, that has birthed several successful models, was her home, until Adelaide, Australia welcomed her, her mom and five siblings. Adut’s father died in the fighting in South Sudan, and her aunt was already living in Adelaide.

In Adut’s own words:

“I was born on the way to Kenya, and I haven’t been to Sudan since.

Adut’s fashion industry success is legendary by now. At a time when models of color are rising everywhere in fashion, Adut is a superstar. Her Estee Lauder appointment makes her platinum grade in the world of modeling and will absolutely affect her bank account, Adut is also a member of the new VS Collective, joining other high-credentialed women to do what, none of us knows. They are advisers.

In another of Adut’s famous stories touched in her ELLE interview, in the car ride from the Adelaide airport to her new home, the now supermodel turned to her mother and made a vow: “Now that we’re here, I’m going to get an education. I’m going to buy you a car and a house. I’m going to make something of myself.”

That life checklist is complete for Adut Akech, who tells us something more about her character when she says: “I will always be a refugee.”

To say that there’s whole lotta love for this young woman is an understatement. Hey, Adut, how about a ride in Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two Unity 22? Now THAT would be memorable for a refugee model. You could raise money for your future project in [South] Sudan. ~ Anne

Read the interview and get info on all the incredible clothes at ELLE.