After moving to the UAE with a dream of becoming a model, Noor faced rejection, searched for work and battled self-doubt before achieving a historic milestone on one of fashion’s most prestigious runways.
“What I remember most is walking for hours under the scorching sun, moving from one place to another while searching for a chance to start my modelling journey. I came to the UAE with that dream in my heart, not because I was looking for a conventional career path.”
Every day, Noor Yahya walked through Dubai carrying her portfolio and chasing a dream that many saw as unlikely.
There were countless job interviews, endless casting calls and long hours spent under the intense Dubai sun, all while she shared her journey online. The Sudanese creator refused to let repeated rejection weaken her determination, even when the opportunities she was searching for remained out of reach.
Months later, the same streets that once represented uncertainty became the starting point of a remarkable success story.
In March this year, Noor made history as the first Sudanese, UAE-based model to walk for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week, transforming years of determination and persistence into one of the defining achievements of her career.
“It was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life,” she said.
But before Chanel recognised her talent, Noor was simply a university graduate trying to find the confidence to pursue her passion and prove that choosing an unconventional path was the right decision.
Who is Noor Yahya?
Born and raised in Sudan, Noor studied Economics at the University of Khartoum, one of the country’s leading institutions, where she specialised in Statistics and Political Science. After graduating, she stepped into what many would consider a secure and conventional career path.
But she soon realised something was missing.
“I never felt that it was where I truly belonged,” she recalled.
While the job provided financial stability and valuable experience, her creative ambitions continued to draw her towards the fashion world. A casual photoshoot with friends unexpectedly became the moment that changed her perspective.
“That was the moment I started to believe this industry suited who I really was.”
Shortly afterwards, she made the difficult decision to resign, despite not having a clear plan for what would come next.
“All I knew was that I wanted to find a path that gave me a sense of passion and purpose.”
Chasing a dream in Dubai
Unlike many people who relocate to the UAE in search of a traditional career, Noor arrived with a clear ambition — to build a future in modelling.
“I came to the UAE with that dream in mind, not because I was looking for a conventional job,” she said.
However, turning that dream into reality proved far more challenging than she expected.
Friends and family encouraged her to find a stable job while continuing to pursue modelling on the side. She agreed, viewing it as a way to support her ambition rather than abandon it.
“I respected their opinion, and I thought, ‘Why not try both?’” she recalled.
For months, Noor attended interviews, travelled across Dubai for appointments and documented the highs and lows of her journey for thousands of followers.
But the job offers never materialised.
At the time, each rejection felt like another setback. Looking back, however, she sees those moments as part of the journey that shaped her.
“What kept me going was my genuine desire to build this career and my belief that the path I had chosen was worth pursuing,” she said.
Learning to hear ‘no’
For Noor, the biggest challenge was not mastering the runway walk or understanding the demands of the fashion industry — it was learning how to handle rejection.
“The biggest challenge was learning how to deal with rejection,” she said.
In fashion, rejection is part of the process. A successful casting can be followed by numerous setbacks, with opportunities often depending on factors beyond a model’s control.
“Over time, I realised that rejection doesn’t mean I’m not good enough. Sometimes it simply means someone else was a better fit for that particular project.”
That change in mindset became a turning point for Noor. Rather than letting rejection affect her confidence, she used each experience as an opportunity to grow, embracing constructive feedback while learning not to absorb criticism that was only meant to discourage her.
“There was always a conversation happening inside my mind, and in the end, my determination was always stronger than my fears.”
The ‘Chanel’ call
Months of auditions and perseverance eventually led Noor to the opportunity that many models aspire to achieve.
The Chanel selection process involved several runway evaluations before she was invited for a fitting. Even at that stage, the final spot was not guaranteed, as models can still be removed from the lineup before the show.
After returning for further fittings and adjustments, Noor finally received the call she had been waiting for.
“I was sitting in a café drinking coffee when I got the call,” she said.
“My reaction was completely spontaneous. I screamed with excitement and couldn’t stop smiling. From the moment I received that phone call until I stepped onto the runway, I couldn’t wipe that smile off my face.”
For Noor, walking for Chanel represented far more than a career milestone. It was a reminder that every difficult choice, rejection and uncertain moment had contributed to the journey that brought her there.
“This milestone means so much to me because it isn’t just a success in fashion. It reminds me that every decision I made, and every experience I went through, played a role in shaping my journey.”
Breaking generational barriers
While Noor now appears on some of the world’s most prestigious runways, she says her biggest transformation happened long before her Paris Fashion Week moment.
Growing up, she was surrounded by social expectations that associated lighter skin with beauty — a belief that led her to use skin-lightening products in the past.
Then she began questioning those expectations.
“Do I actually have a problem with my skin tone? The answer was no,” she reflected.
“So why was I trying to change it? Was I doing it for myself, or to meet other people’s expectations?”
That realisation marked a turning point. Noor stopped using the products and embraced her natural appearance.
“Today, I’m proud of how I look. I believe beauty isn’t defined by a particular skin tone, and that the most important step anyone can take is learning to accept themselves first.”
For Noor, walking the Chanel runway represented much more than a fashion achievement.
It was the result of a journey that began with countless walks through Dubai’s streets, carrying little more than determination, resilience and the belief that her dream was worth pursuing.
