Alek Wek’s Rise To Fame As A Trailblazing Model
Alek Wek, born in Wau, South Sudan in 1977, fled civil war to arrive in London in 1991 at the age of 14. She was discovered by a Models 1 scout in 1995 while at an outdoor market in Crystal Palace. Her striking features and dark skin were unseen in the high fashion world up to that point.
Wek began modeling in 1995 and soon reached great heights, appearing in music videos for artists like Tina Turner and Janet Jackson. In 1997 she landed the cover of Elle magazine, a first for an African model. She also won “Model of the Year” from MTV that year.
“If [Alek] had been on the cover of a magazine when I was growing up, I would have had a different concept of who I was,” remarked Oprah Winfrey on seeing Wek rise to fame.
Breaking Barriers And Redefining Beauty
Wek was the first model with markedly non-Caucasian features to hit the high fashion scene. With her “sub-Saharan beauty,” she influenced designers, brands, and magazines to embrace darker skin tones and wider facial features.
“When I saw Alek, I inadvertently saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny,” said actress Lupita Nyong’o of Wek’s impact.
Wek set an influential example to appreciate natural African beauty that still resonates today through her editorials, fashion shows, advertising campaigns and more.
An Enduring Legacy On And Off The Runway
Now in her 40s, Wek continues to model while advocating for humanitarian causes. She released an autobiography in 2007 about her journey from a Sudanese childhood to fashion notoriety.
She works with the UN Refugee Agency to highlight the stories of refugees and has been an advisor to the U.S. Committee for Refugees Advisory Council since 2002. Wek also collaborates with organizations like UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders.
Additionally, Wek has her own designer handbag line called “Wek 1933” that draws creative inspiration from her family. She aims to empower young African artists and models as well through partnerships with groups like Africa Fashion International.
For over 25 years and counting, Alek Wek has made bold strides for inclusivity along with uplifting the displaced and disadvantaged. Both compassionate and influential, her activism builds upon the platform she carved out as a groundbreaking model.
