Nyakor Tut — Miss South Sudan Australia and the Face of an Oli Valenti Silk Scarf Campaign

About four years ago, I was planning an Oli Valenti silk scarf campaign and thinking about the woman I wanted to see wearing the scarf.

I didn't have a complicated reason for choosing Nyakor Tut. Something about her caught my attention.

I remember imagining her almost immediately in profile, with one of my silk scarves wrapped around her head. I could already see the photograph in my mind — the shape of her profile, the movement of the silk and the quiet elegance of the image.

That feeling was enough for me to know that Nyakor was the right person for the campaign.

Nyakor Tut is known for having been crowned Miss South Sudan Australia, and her connection with modelling and fashion in Australia has been part of her story. She has also appeared in Australian fashion settings, including imagery associated with Country to Couture, and she had the natural beauty and presence that I felt could bring the scarf to life.

But what I remember most about our photoshoot was not her title.

It was the transformation that happened during the session.

At the beginning, Nyakor was very shy. I could see that she wasn't completely comfortable in front of the camera yet, so rather than pushing her into poses, I wanted her to relax and enjoy the experience.

Little by little, she became more comfortable.

The mood changed. She started smiling, moving naturally and enjoying herself.

By the end of the session, she was happy and dancing.

And that is something I love about fashion photography.

The best images don't always come from giving someone a perfect pose. Sometimes they appear when a person forgets about the camera and simply becomes themselves.

The Silk Scarf

For me, a silk scarf is much more than an accessory.

It can frame the face, change the character of an outfit, become part of a hairstyle or move completely differently depending on how it is worn.

When I imagined Nyakor in profile with the scarf on her head, I wanted to capture exactly that — the relationship between the woman, the silk and movement.

The final images became part of the visual story of Oli Valenti and one of my early silk scarf campaigns.

Looking back now, I still love the fact that the idea began so simply.

I saw Nyakor, imagined the photograph, and knew.

Sometimes, as a designer, you don't need to explain why something feels right.

You simply see it.