It's always one of the most hotly anticipated moments of
Couture Week - when the Chanel show is brought to a close by a model dressed in
an exquisite wedding ensemble.
But this year's was more special than most, as the model
hand-picked to close the show by creative director Karl Lagerfeld became the
first black Chanel bride to do the honours in more than a decade - and only the
second in the fashion house's whole history.
Adut Akech, 18, who spent her early years in a refugee camp
in Kenya after her family fled war-torn South Sudan, said in an emotional
Instagram post after the show that 'no words can express' her pride, and told
her followers: 'This one's for the dreamers.'
Adut, who arrived in Australia with her family aged seven and
is fast becoming one of the most in-demand models at international fashion
weeks, said of her astonishing journey: 'The beauty of having a dream, is
watching it come to life.'
The last black Chanel bride was the British-Sudanese model
Alex Wek in 2004.
'To the young girls
and boys who look up to me I want you guys to know no matter who you are, where
you come from or what you have, as long as you have a dream it is achievable,'
the model wrote on Instagram, adding that closing the Chanel show was one of her
'proudest' moments.
'Cannot believe I just
made history by being Chanel’s second black couture bride, this is one of my
most proudest achievement!!!'
She was met with a
flood of supportive comments from fans.
Following the show,
one delighted fashion-watcher tweeted: 'Never thought I'd see a black girl as
the Chanel bride,' accompanied by several crying emojis.
Adut received a flood
of support across social media as many claimed that her participation will make
an impact on the diversity within the fashion industry.
One person said: 'Adut
Akech makes her mark into fashion this couture week, being the second black
model to close a Chanel show. Several points finally being made.'
Another wrote: 'Never
thought I'd see a black girl as the Chanel bride. She's now
the muse of Chanel and Valentino. The racists are SEETHING.'
A Twitter speaking
under the handle 'GREATKIMBINO' bought attention to Adut being the only dark
skin woman whose walked as a couture bride.
She said: 'Adut Akech
the second black model in Chanel's history to walk close the show as the
couture bride. I want to mention the fact that she's the only dark skin girl
who walked.'
Another wrote:
'Current #ItGirl and newly minted #Supermodel Adut Akech. She was born while
her family was en route to a refugee camp in Kenya. She just closed the @Chanel
show muse style. This is why I say #RefugeeWelcome, say it with me!'
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