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Yai reflects on her latest triumph—a sultry, sophisticated campaign for Revolve Los Angeles—and talks all things fashion, culture, and the City of Angels.
In terms of the cultural zeitgeist’s contemporary icons, Anok Yai is sky-high on the list, to be sure. From runway moments that have gone viral ten times over to red carpet looks that make the rounds on the moodboards of your favorite stylists and fashion-obsessed teens alike, her impact is truly immeasurable. To editors, designers, photographers, and of course, the global network of fans she’s amassed, Yai isn’t just another face on a call sheet—she’s the world’s biggest force in fashion, as evidenced by the Model of the Year award she keeps handy in her New York City apartment.
But it wasn’t a lack of ambition that got her to the top. Months after she took home the accolade at the 2025 Fashion Awards, she’s still on the grind, booking new gigs left and right. Sandwiched in between a capital-B busy fashion month and the industry’s biggest night, the Met Gala, she starred in the latest style moment to break the Internet: the inaugural campaign for Revolve Los Angeles, Revolve’s new namesake label.
To be sure, each and every shoot is monumental or special in its own way, but for Revolve Los Angeles’ first campaign, everything had to be perfect, which is why the label tapped stylist Carlos Nazario, photographer Anthony Seklaoui, Yai, and Alex Consani—fellow modern modeling icon, who just so happens to be one of Yai’s closest friends. Exuding all of the strength, sophistication, and seduction central to the collection, Yai’s presence felt nothing but natural in Revolve Los Angeles’ world.
“I was really happy shooting with Carlos [Nazario] and Alex [Consani], they’re like my day ones. Whenever I go on set, and I hear Carlos’ voice or see Alex’s space, I know it’s going to be a good day,” Yai tells GEORGE V MAGAZINE, reminiscing on her day on set. “People always tell me I’m mysterious, but it’s not that I’m trying to be; it’s just that I’m introverted. I don’t talk a lot, but the right person can get me out of my shell.”
Anok Yai and Alex Consani for Revolve Los Angeles. Photography by Anthony Seklaoui.
Consani, for one, passes the vibe check with flying colors. “Alex is such a genuine person with very positive energy, and I feel so blessed whenever I see her,” says Yai. “She’s so gifted—but that’s not all I want people to see about her. I want them to know how hard she works, because Alex keeps pushing and pushing. She does whatever she can for her fans, for her family, and for her friends, and I have so much respect for her.”
Thanks to the good energy on set, Yai was “really happy” while shooting the campaign. Spanning sultry gowns, dramatic outerwear, sharply tailored pieces, and bold leather jackets—Yai’s personal favorites are the Kova Jacket and Nikita Coat—the collection is built for the strong and confident modern woman.
Of course, confidence doesn’t mean a lack of caring. While some may hesitate to admit they wonder what others think, Yai is refreshingly candid: She does, in fact, consider how her looks will be perceived when getting dressed. She aims for outfits that are “extremely feminine, timeless, elevated, and undeniably cool,” and consistently delivers. For her, the Revolve Los Angeles pieces fit the bill.
Anok Yai for Revolve Los Angeles. Photography by Anthony Seklaoui.
In addition to prioritizing wearability, the collection brings Los Angeles’s sartorial spirit to the forefront, honoring Hollywood’s artistry across fashion, design, and film. In particular, the city’s legacy comes alive as a source of inspiration in the Halo gown—a bias-cut satin dress inspired by the Wiltern Theatre’s Art Deco details—and the Contoured Muse, a sculpted jersey gown complete with intricate embroidery evocative of Metropolis.
“I don’t really have a strong connection to LA because I’m usually there for a shoot and then have to leave right away,” Yai says. “So my connection to the West Coast actually has more to do with my attraction to film and my tunnel-vision focus on being an actress. Every time I’m there, I’m so inspired.”
Turning her attention towards Hollywood hasn’t been easy. “I always hear, You’re really good, but you’re not right for the role,” she says. “I’ve been taking classes since the pandemic, and I think I’ve done at least 60 auditions, but someone once told me that once you get past 100, you’ll book something. So for now, I’m just putting my head down and working as hard as I can.”
For Yai, auditioning for on-screen roles and getting ready for shoots have proved to be unexpectedly similar. “I prepare for days, no matter what the role is,” she says. “I focus on the character and what drives them, and I also think about how they’re connected to or different from me. I approach it with truth in mind—the more that I expose, the more it will reveal to the audience,” she says. “I similarly have to become a character when I do a runway show or a shoot. The goal, for me, is just to dive completely into every role that I do. Because I don’t just want people to see Anok Yai the model; I want them to see Anok Yai, the artist.”
Anok Yai for Revolve Los Angeles. Photography by Anthony Seklaoui.
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