Adut Akech

Adut Akech Bior

Adut Akech Bior, professionally known as Adut Akech, is a South Sudanese-Australian fashion model. Her international runway breakthrough came through Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2017 presentation, and her subsequent recognition has included Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards 2019. She has also spoken publicly about refugee experience and inclusion in fashion.

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About Adut Akech

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

South Sudan and Australia · Fashion model

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Known for: Fashion modeling; Refugee advocacy and fashion inclusion
Country: South Sudan and Australia

Fashion model

At a glance

Akech made her international runway breakthrough through an exclusive casting for Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2017 show in Paris.
She received Models.com's industry-voted Model of the Year recognition in 2018 and was named Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards 2019.
In July 2018, she closed Chanel's Fall 2018 Haute Couture show in its finale bridal look.
Akech has used her public platform to discuss refugee experience and advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in fashion.

Early life and settlement in Australia

Akech's family fled conflict in South Sudan, and she spent part of her early childhood in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp. The National Portrait Gallery of Australia reports that her family arrived in Australia in 2008 and settled in Adelaide. Sources disagree about whether she was born in South Sudan or in Kakuma, so her precise birthplace is not treated as settled.

International fashion career

Akech's international breakthrough followed her exclusive casting for Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2017 presentation in Paris, which took place in 2016. Her standing in the industry grew through major runway work, including closing Chanel's Fall 2018 Haute Couture show, and through recognition from Models.com and the British Fashion Council. Estée Lauder announced her as a Global Brand Ambassador for makeup and skincare campaigns in June 2021.

Public recognition and refugee advocacy

TIME included Akech among its 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018 and on its 2019 TIME 100 Next list. She has connected her public profile to support for refugees and calls for greater diversity in fashion, including participation in the 2019 launch of UNHCR's #EveryoneCounts campaign in a public conversation with Ben Stiller.

Timeline

2008 Her family arrived in Australia and settled in Adelaide following her early childhood in Kakuma refugee camp.
2016 Made an international runway breakthrough through an exclusive casting for Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2017 show in Paris; the presentation occurred in 2016 despite the collection's 2017 seasonal label.
2018 Named Models.com's Model of the Year through the publication's Industry's Vote.
2018-07-03 Closed Chanel's Fall 2018 Haute Couture show in Paris in the finale bridal look.
2018-12-07 Included in TIME's 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018.
2019 Named Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards 2019.
2019 Included in the 2019 TIME 100 Next list.
2019 Participated in the launch of UNHCR's #EveryoneCounts campaign in a public conversation with Ben Stiller.
2021-06-03 Estée Lauder announced that it had signed Akech as a Global Brand Ambassador for makeup and skincare campaigns.

Additional verified details

Biographical facts

Vogue reports that Akech was born on December 25, 1999.
Her family fled conflict in South Sudan, and she spent part of her early childhood in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp before her family settled in Adelaide, Australia.
Akech has supported refugees and called for greater diversity and inclusion in fashion, including through participation in UNHCR's 2019 #EveryoneCounts campaign launch.