Alek Wek Quotes
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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.
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We need to do everything we can to protect the health and welfare of children around the world, but fortunately, it's getting easier to provide things like medication and care.
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I meet and talk to women from every corner of this planet, and I can find beauty in each and every one of them.
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There are tons of black girls modeling, and each one is special.
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I grew up in a small town in Sudan. There weren't many cars, so we did things in the countryside near where we lived.
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The fact that designers like Lagerfeld, Gaultier, Galliano and Dior could believe in Alek made me believe in myself, too.
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I think beauty is not just about what we put on our heads or on our faces or what we wear: it's deeper than that, and if we can celebrate that, celebrate the women, not just the superficiality... I think it would be really gorgeous.
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When the militias came to Wau, they would blast out 'Thriller' as they moved down the dirt streets.
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When I started, I'd hear other people saying, 'God, she's so bizarre-looking,' because I didn't look like the girl next door. But I was just normal. I was the girl next door. There were people in high fashion I could better relate to who were doing something more interesting and not talking this sort of rubbish.
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We survived on natural resources, so we should take care of the earth. When I leave home, I do things like switching off the heat and lights.
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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.
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I grew up in southern Sudan, one of nine children. Our life was simple but very happy.
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I think the fashion industry has gotten to a place where it is embarrassing.
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I would love to continue to model but also have a family.
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There was no concept of fashion and catwalk shows where I came from.
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The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don't celebrate those, they can pass you by.
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When I first started working with World Vision, I would sit down and talk with them about issues that concern any part of the world. MSF told me about what was going on in North Korea. I also support AIDS and breast cancer charities.
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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.
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Going on safari in South Africa was hardcore but a lot of fun - though my friend Maura was absolutely freaking out about all the bugs in her hair and having to pee in the sand.
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From nine years old, I lived with fear. I saw our neighbours disappearing. I was scared that I would come home from school and my parents would not be there.
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It's an awful feeling, being hungry.
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Whenever I feel I am going through my own 'little' challenging moment, I just think about my mom.
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For me, you have to have some kind of modesty.
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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.