Alek Wek Parents Metiers: A Look into the Careers of the Supermodel’s Parents

Alek Wek, one of the most successful models in the fashion industry, has an inspiring story of her rise to fame. Born in South Sudan, Alek Wek moved to London with her family at the age of fourteen. It was in London that she was discovered by a modeling agency and her career took off. While Alek Wek’s modeling career is well-known, her parents’ professions are not as widely discussed. In this article, we will look into the careers of Alek Wek’s parents and how they influenced her journey to becoming a successful model.

Alek Wek’s Father: Athlete Turned Politician

Alek Wek’s father, Athian Wek, was a soldier and athlete back in South Sudan. He was a member of the South Sudanese basketball team before he retired from sports to pursue a career in politics. Athian Wek joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and fought for Sudan’s independence. After the independence of South Sudan in 2011, Athian Wek was appointed as a member of the South Sudanese Parliament.

The influence of Athian Wek’s political career can be seen in Alek Wek’s activism. She has been a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 and advocates for refugees and displaced people around the world. Alek Wek has also been an outspoken supporter of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and has used her platform to bring attention to issues affecting people of color.

Alek Wek’s Mother: Fashion Designer

Alek Wek’s mother, Akuol Wek, was a textile and fashion designer in South Sudan. She created traditional clothes and accessories for the local market. When Alek Wek and her siblings moved to London, Akuol Wek continued her work as a fashion designer and started her own fashion label, “Wek 1933”. The label, named after the year Akuol Wek was born, combines traditional African fabrics with modern designs.

Aleks Wek’s interest in fashion can be attributed to her mother’s influence. In an interview with The Guardian, Alek Wek said, “My mother was my first catwalk. She used to make clothes for us, and we would parade around the house, showing them off.”

Statistics on Alek Wek’s Parents’ Metiers

  • Athian Wek was a member of the South Sudanese basketball team
  • Athian Wek was appointed as a member of the South Sudanese Parliament after the independence of South Sudan in 2011
  • Akuol Wek started her own fashion label, “Wek 1933,” after she moved to London with her family

Conclusion

It is clear that Alek Wek’s parents’ metiers played a significant role in shaping her as a person and as a model. Her mother’s love for fashion and her father’s political activism have had a lasting impact on Alek Wek’s career and activism. By shedding light on Alek Wek’s parents’ careers, we can appreciate the influence they had on one of the most successful models in the world today.

References:

  • Britannica – Alek Wek Biography
  • Vogue – Alek Wek on Surviving the Sudan War and Helping Fellow Refugees
  • The Guardian – Alek Wek: ‘I’m an immigrant and proud to be one’
  • Harper’s Bazaar – Alek Wek: From Sudanese Refugee to Model and Activist
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