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Model Adut Akech graces cover of three Vogue magazines in same month

19-year-old was one of 15 women chosen by Duchess of Sussex to appear on cover of British Vogue

Sabrina Barr
Sunday 04 August 2019 12:58 BST
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(Getty Images)

Model Adut Akech has been taking the fashion world by storm in recent years, making her runway debut for Yves Saint Laurent in 2016 and being named Model of the Year last December.

Now at 19 years old, the South Sudanese-Australian model has been granted one of the highest honours within her profession – the opportunity to appear on not one, not two, but three covers of Vogue magazine at the same time.

What's even more impressive is the fact that these three covers – for British Vogue, Vogue Germany and Vogue Japan – are for each publication's September issue, widely regarded as being the most significant issue of the sartorial calendar.

On Friday, Akech expressed her excitement on Instagram over the achievement by revealing the cover of Vogue Germany's September issue.

"Can't believe I'm sharing my THIRD Vogue cover this week for September issues!!!" the model wrote in the caption.

"Thank you so much to everyone that made this possible, and those [who] worked on this shoot on and off-set, thank you for a dream come true. I couldn't imagine a better way to end my week!!"

On Sunday 28 July, it was announced that the Duchess of Sussex had guest edited the September issue of British Vogue.

Fifteen women were chosen by Meghan to appear on the cover of the "Forces for Change" issue, one of whom was Akech.

Akech said she felt "extremely honoured and proud" to have been selected by the duchess alongside an array of "the most inspirational women".

On Tuesday 30 July, Akech shared her September issue cover for Vogue Japan, which commemorates the publication's 20th anniversary.

In one of the Vogue Japan covers captured by fashion photography duo Luigi and Iango, Akech poses from a side profile, wearing a black, sequinned off-shoulder gown by Yves Saint Laurent.

In another cover, she is photographed alongside fellow models Anok Yai, Fran Summers, Hikari Mori, Kristina Grikaite and Rebecca Longendyke, all wearing feathered creations by the French luxury fashion house.

Akech was born one of five siblings in South Sudan in 1999.

She was later raised in Kakuma, Kenya before moving to Adelaide, Australia with her mother at the age of seven as a refugee.

At 16 years old, Akech was signed as a model in Sydney, Australia.

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Following the release of British Vogue's September issue cover, Akech revealed that she spoke to the Duchess of Sussex over the phone about her role as the publication's guest editor.

"A few nights ago I got one of the best surprise, a phone call from The Duchess of Sussex herself to tell me she was the guest-editor of this issue," the model wrote on Instagram.

"She told me that she finds me and my story so inspiring and those words I will never forget for the rest of my life."

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