UAE-based model and internet personality Nour Yahya has made her debut on the international fashion stage, walking for Chanel on 9 March 2026, as part of Paris Fashion Week. The show, held at the Grand Palais, saw Yahya walk the runway wearing pearlescent knits and paint-like tweeds paired with red Chanel heels.
Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2026-2027 show, designed by French-Belgian designer and creative director of Chanel Matthieu Blazy, showcased a modern, bold reinterpretation of the brand’s classic elegance. Key elements included reimagined tweed, shimmering beaded mesh, and striking pink tones.
Yahya is based in Dubai with a growing following on Instagram. While she is well-known for her work with various fashion and beauty brands in the region, she has recently added acting to her resume. She was recently cast as a lead in the Saudi Arabian film Scholarship.
Yahya is among the first Sudanese models to walk in Paris Fashion Week. She shared the proud moment and milestone on her social media.
In addition to Yahya, Swedish-Sudanese model, internet personality, and content creator Jamilla Strand walked or modelled for various brands in Paris Fashion Week in recent years.
Paris Fashion Week and the global fashion industry are currently dominated by South Sudanese models, including stars like Awar Odhiang, Anok Yai, Adut Akech, Aweng Chuol, Agi Akur, and, of course, the trailblazer Alek Wek. Remarkably, at least nine of the top 50 models currently listed on Models.com are originally from South Sudan. This year, however, many emerging South Sudanese models were unable to walk or attend Paris Fashion Week due to a wave of visa rejections, highlighting a significant barrier for talent from the region.
Paris Fashion Week 2026 reached its peak with the Women’s Fall/Winter 2026-2027 season, which took place from March 2 to March 10, following a month of fashion festivities in New York, London, and Milan. The event was marked by a significant “vibe shift” away from quiet luxury toward hedonistic glamour, bold silhouettes, and extreme proportions. Key highlights included Jonathan Anderson’s sophomore collection for Dior, which transformed the Jardin des Tuileries into a poetic, nature-inspired promenade, and Matthieu Blazy’s continued evolution at Chanel, where he introduced drop-waist silhouettes and rich velvet textures. Major trends dominated the runways, such as XXL shoulders at Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, delicate fringing at Loewe and Stella McCartney, and a resurgence of 1920s-inspired silhouettes. The week concluded with high-energy shows from Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu, cementing the season as one defined by a balance of historical reverence and a forward-looking, experimental spirit.
