To me,
@anokyai is not only one of the greatest supermodels of our generation, but one of the most important presences fashion has witnessed in a very long time. She represents the present. She represents the future. She represents freedom.
There is something deeply unapologetic about the way she exists in the world. She moves through life entirely as herself, and because of that, she allows so many others to imagine larger possibilities for their own lives.
Last year, after receiving the Model of the Year award, seeing her go through such a difficult and fragile moment that was compromising her health affected me deeply. It honestly worried me a lot. I kept her in my prayers every single day, praying for her health, for her spirit, for her life itself.
But somewhere deep inside me, I knew she would return. When someone is loved the way she is loved across countries, cultures and generations, there is a force created around them that becomes bigger than fear itself.
Death exists. Fragility exists. But so does collective love.
So creating these images with her became something much bigger than fashion for me. Out of all the work we’ve created together through the years, this became one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences of my life and career.
When
@chiomannadi invited me to photograph this story, and especially when she shared with me that she wanted to include Anok’s parents in the images, something inside me opened emotionally. Suddenly the story was no longer only about fashion. It became about ancestry, protection, survival, memory, family and rebirth.
The greatest joy of all was being able to celebrate someone I love so much while she is alive, smiling, standing strong in front of me again.
Anok, may your life be long.
May your light continue to expand.
May you continue opening doors that once seemed impossible to open.
You are deeply loved.
Thank you Chioma.
Thank you to everybody who helped bring this story into the world.
And thank you, Anok, for returning to us.
@britishvogue
@kphelan123
@jawaraw
@peterphilipsmakeup
@maryhoward_setdesign
@anatolerainey
@northsix
@funmifetto
@chiomannadi
@raulmartinez1024 
