Born on Christmas Day 1999 en route to a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya, Adut Akech’s early life was defined by adversity and resilience.
At age seven, she arrived in Adelaide, Australia, alongside her mother and five siblings, seeking asylum.
School friends called her “Mary” to simplify pronunciation, but in fashion she reclaimed her birth name and identity.
Her modeling journey began at 13 in a family-organized show. After multiple scoutings, Adut signed with Chadwick Models at 16, then leapt onto the international scene as a Saint Laurent exclusive, debuting at Paris Fashion Week S/S’17.
She rapidly closed Saint Laurent’s F/W’17 and S/S’18 shows and went on to walk for Chanel, Valentino, Prada, Givenchy, Versace, Dior, Calvin Klein, Miu Miu, and more.
Some of her defining moments & achievements include:
- Saint Laurent Exclusive & Chanel Couture Bride: In July 2018, Karl Lagerfeld chose her to close the Chanel haute couture show—she became only the second Black couture bride in Chanel’s history.
- Runway & Campaign Highpoints: She’s walked for major couture and ready-to-wear houses and appeared in campaigns for Moschino, Valentino, Fendi, Balenciaga, Hugo Boss, H&M, and David Jones.
- Editorial & Covers: Adut has graced the covers of Vogue editions worldwide—Italian, Korean, British, Australian, American—and featured in Pirelli calendar (2017), W Magazine’s 50th anniversary issue, and TIME100 Next.
Adut was named Models.com “Model of the Year” in both 2018 and 2019, also receiving the prestigious British Fashion Awards Model of the Year in 2019.
Forbes included her in their 2024 “40 Under 40,” lauding her as a vocal advocate for diversity and humanitarian work.
She partnered with Estée Lauder as a global ambassador in 2021—a move she described as deeply meaningful: “To now be the representation in the fashion and beauty space I didn’t have growing up means everything to me”.
Adut has spoken candidly about enduring racism—both in school and professionally—and uses her platform to push for inclusivity and representation . Close mentorship by Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek, calling Campbell a “second mother,” has been instrumental in her journey.
In 2024, she shared the exciting news of expecting her first child with partner Samuel Elkhier, describing it as a “beautiful feeling” amid a mental and physical rollercoaster.
Adut Akech symbolizes resilience, beauty, and transformation.
From the hardships of refugee life to global fashion prominence, she embodies change, not just on the runway, but within society and culture.
As a model, humanitarian advocate, and mother, she continues to reshape standards of beauty and inspire countless individuals to embrace their heritage, identity, and dreams.
