Who is Adut Akech? Meet the 18-year-old up against Bella Hadid for Model of the Year

She's only just legally classified as an adult in the United Kingdom, but last night Adut Akech was be vying for one of the most sought-after gongs at the annual Fashion Awards in London's Royal Albert Hall.

Up against last year's winner Adwoa Aboah, the young beauty also faced competition from Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber (the ultimate winner) and Winnie Harlow.

But it wasn't the first time she's been noticed by the British fashion industry, landing her first solo Vogue cover for the current December issue; Edward Enninful's one year anniversary.

So who is Adut Akech and will she snap up the win?

Her background

Born in South Sudan, Akech was raised in Kenya and moved to Adelaide, Australia, with her mother and five siblings as refugees at the age of six.

Her big break

Akech made a low-key runway debut in a local fashion show put together by her boutique-owning aunt at the age of 12, but despite being scouted many times during her early teenage years it wasn't until she turned 16 that she signed to an agency - Chadwick Models - in Sydney.

She went on to do Melbourne Fashion Week where she received a call from her agent confirming her for the Saint Laurent SS17 show in Paris where she was then signed by Elite Model Management.