Alek Wek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alek Wek
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Wek at the Red Collection 2007 for The Heart Truth campaign
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| Born | 16 April 1977 |
| Occupation | Model |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Partner(s) | Riccardo Sala (2001–2013) |
| Modelling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
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Alek Wek (born April 16, 1977) is a famous South Sudanese-British model and designer. She started her fashion career when she was 18 years old in 1995. Alek is known for changing how people see beauty in the fashion world.
She belongs to the Dinka group from South Sudan. In 1991, she moved to Britain to escape the conflict in Sudan. In 2015, the BBC named her one of their 100 inspiring women.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Alek Wek was born on April 16, 1977, in Wau, Sudan. Her family lived in a small two-bedroom house without electricity or running water. She is the seventh of nine children. Her mother, Akuol, was a homemaker. Her father, Athian, worked in education. Her name, Alek, means "Black Spotted Cow."
When a civil war started in Wau in 1985, Alek's family had to leave their home. They fled from both rebel and government forces. Her father, Athian, had a hip injury that became infected from long walks. He later became paralyzed and passed away in Khartoum.
Alek's Amazing Career
Starting in Fashion
Alek arrived in London when she was 14. Her skin condition, psoriasis, quickly got better there. She later studied Fashion Business and Technology at the London College of Fashion.
In 1995, a scout from Models 1 discovered Alek at an outdoor market in Crystal Palace, London. That same year, she appeared in the music video for "GoldenEye" by Tina Turner. Soon after, she began her modeling career. She signed with Ford Models in 1996. She also appeared in Janet Jackson's "Got 'Til It's Gone" music video. In 1997, MTV named her "Model of the Year." She was also the first African model to be on the cover of Elle magazine.
Top Model Work
Alek has modeled for many famous fashion brands. She has been on the cover of Elle in America, France, Germany, and South Africa. She also appeared on i-D, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Forbes Magazine Africa, and Ebony. Her photos have been in American and British Vogue.
In 2002, Alek acted in her first movie, The Four Feathers. She played a Sudanese princess named Aquol. In 2015, she walked the runway for Marc Jacobs at New York Fashion Week. She also appeared in their Spring/Summer 2016 ad campaign. In 2016, she was featured on four special covers for Brazilian Elle.
Changing Beauty Standards
Before Alek, it was rare to see dark-skinned models in high fashion. Her success was a big deal for black women everywhere. Oprah Winfrey once said that if Alek had been on magazine covers when she was young, she would have felt differently about herself.
Actress Lupita Nyong'o shared that she felt insecure as a teenager. But seeing Alek in the spotlight changed her view. Lupita said, "When I saw Alek, I saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny. Now, I had a spring in my step because I felt more seen, more appreciated."
Designing Handbags
Alek also designs her own line of handbags called "Wek 1933." You can find them in some Selfridges department stores. The name "1933" is the year her father was born. She was inspired by the brass-clasp briefcase her father used to carry.
Helping Others
Since 2002, Alek has been an advisor for the U.S. Committee for Refugees Advisory Council. This group helps people learn about the situation in Sudan and refugees worldwide.
She is also a supporter of World Vision, which works to fight AIDS. She is an ambassador for Doctors Without Borders in Sudan and helps UNICEF.
In 2007, Alek wrote her autobiography, Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel. The book tells her story from growing up in poverty in Sudan to becoming a famous model.
In 2011, she was a guest judge on America's Next Top Model. In July 2012, she went back to South Sudan with the UN Refugee Agency. She wanted to share the stories of refugees returning home and show the big efforts needed to rebuild the country.
Personal Life
Alek Wek lives in Brooklyn, New York. She was in a relationship with Riccardo Sala, an Italian real estate developer, for twelve years. They separated in 2013. Alek is also the aunt of fellow model Ataui Deng.
Film and TV Appearances
Alek Wek has appeared in several music videos, TV shows, and movies.
- In 1995, she was in the music video for "GoldenEye."
- In 1997, she appeared in the music video for "Got 'Til It's Gone."
- In 2002, she made her film debut in The Four Feathers as Aquol.
- In 2011, she was a guest judge on America's Next Top Model and Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model.
- In 2018, she played Miss Millius in the movie Suspiria.
See also
In Spanish: Alek Wek para niños
- List of refugees
