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
Having arrived in London to seek refuge during the civil war in Sudan, where I was born, the thing I'm most proud of is having totally evolved. I came here not knowing how to speak English, but I went to school and learned; I adapted to this new culture. Alek Wek adaptarrivebear share on social
You can feel very strongly that someone doesn't like you. I think any model who didn't have the same sort of upbringing as me would find that very difficult. But I absolutely knew I was entitled. I never thought I was ugly - it never crossed my mind. Alek Wek absolutelycrossdifficult share on social
There was no concept of fashion and catwalk shows where I came from. Alek Wek catwalkconceptfashion Change image and share on social
I feel, in 2015, when we see human beings and children dying to cross the ocean, trying to find safety, something more must be done to help them because refugees are just like me and you. Alek Wek beingchildcross Change image and share on social
I've always loved to paint - I was studying to do an art degree when I was approached to become a model - and I've being doing some design work as well. I also love just having a quiet time, sitting in my little library at home in Brooklyn and reading or watching documentaries or listening to music. Alek Wek approachartbrooklyn share on social
When I was 14, I came to school in London. I remember it was very cold, but also having to adjust and become fluent in English. Alek Wek adjustcoldenglish Change image and share on social