Going back to South Sudan after the independence took place was deeply emotional for me because I had gone through the civil war with my family just before going to seek refuge in London. Alek Wek backcivildeeply Change image and share on social
Leaving southern Sudan as a child was terrifying. It was 1985, and my family and I were trying to escape to Khartoum, the capital in the North, to safety. Alek Wek capitalchildescape Change image and share on social
When I first started modeling, I realised I was very different from many of my colleagues, but I welcomed the opportunities my career in fashion offered me and the support from many inspiring individuals in the fashion industry. Alek Wek careercolleaguefashion share on social
My mother always has embedded in us that you guys rock in different ways, and to be able to celebrate that with each other is just beautiful. Alek Wek beautifulcelebrateembed Change image and share on social
London is like my second home. I've still got friends there from school and from when I first started in the modelling business - people such as Karen Elson, Jasmine Guinness, Jade Parfitt. Alek Wek businesselsonfriend Change image and share on social
When the militias came to Wau, they would blast out 'Thriller' as they moved down the dirt streets. Alek Wek blastdirtmilitia Change image and share on social
I have short hair. It doesn't make me more unattractive than a woman or my sisters that have more longer hair and a bit lighter. Alek Wek bitehairlight Change image and share on social
When my friends talk about childhood, I've never heard of any cartoons or TV they remember. The only thing we share is Michael Jackson. That's how far his music travelled - to a remote village on the other side of the world. Alek Wek cartoonchildhoodfriend share on social
When I was growing up, my mother taught me and my sisters to celebrate each other - there was no room in our household for negativity. She taught us to embrace each other, and this was empowering for us. She also taught us the value of celebrating our differences. Alek Wek celebratedifferenceembrace share on social
I used to have nightmares about the civil war when I got to England at ages 14 to 15. It took me some years to get over that. Alek Wek agecivilengland Change image and share on social
