From a Viral Photo to Global Fame: The Inspiring Journey of Anok Yai

The lack of representation made her doubt whether she could ever belong in the fashion industry. Even as opportunities arose, she wrestled with the fear of being tokenized or treated as a fleeting trend. “When people called me exotic, it scared me,” she told The Washington Post. “I worried that the industry would see me as temporary — that I would be a moment, not a movement.”