I had jobs from the age of 14, when I arrived in London as a refugee. Aged 17, I'd get up at… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
From nine years old, I lived with fear. I saw our neighbours disappearing. I was scared that I would come home from… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
When I was 14, I came to school in London. I remember it was very cold, but also having to adjust and… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
London is like my second home. I've still got friends there from school and from when I first started in the modelling… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I was working part-time as a cleaner while I was going to college and then babysitting after school. — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I could never understand why other kids wanted to truant - my education here gave me everything. It's the place where I… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
Having arrived in London to seek refuge during the civil war in Sudan, where I was born, the thing I'm most proud… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
In my country, families are raised as though they are one. Although I am from the Dinka tribe, my parents didn't raise… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
It was the most exciting thing to leave secondary school and go to college, to have that freedom to study whatever I… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I was working part-time as a cleaner while I was going to college and then babysitting after school. — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I wore hot pants and cowboy boots and I thought, 'What have I gotten myself into?' — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I've seen mothers and children really being vulnerable in the refugee camps; it's supposed to be temporary, but they end up having children who… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I used to have nightmares about the civil war when I got to England at ages 14 to 15. It took me some years… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
My experience as a refugee had made me strong; I could survive anything, even the world of fashion. — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
Leaving southern Sudan as a child was terrifying. It was 1985, and my family and I were trying to escape to Khartoum, the capital… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
Starting modeling in the '90s, it was quite surreal. They were like, 'You're so different! So weird! So bizarre!' And I'm like, 'I'm so… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
There's one thing we all share: We eat to nurture ourselves, to feel stronger. — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
Don't focus on negative things; focus on the positive, and you will flourish. — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
London is like my second home. I've still got friends there from school and from when I first started in the modelling business -… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
I don't even know where to start in terms of people having such an issue about color, especially being dark. I just think on… — Alek Wek Copy Share Image
