Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel

by Alek Wek

Book Overview

Alek Wek has been the face of ad campaigns for companies ranging from Coach to Michael Kors to Nars and has worked the runways on behalf of designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Christian Dior.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061243310
• ISBN13: 9780061243318
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Amistad Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Short but engrossing

I bought this book after reading an excerpt, I believe it was in Vogue (or possibly Elle?) Anyways it's a really captivating but not long read. Might be good for a plane trip, etc. Despite her trying experiences of being a refugee and having psoriasis, she has a really refreshing, upbeat outlook and attitude.

Amazing

I'm not a fan of reading. I really only picked up Alek Wek's book because she came to a book singing at my school, Howard University. She impressed me as a down to earth, humble, kindly demeanored woman. She personally autographed it and took a picture with me. I sat the book down for several months, but, when I did pick it up over the Christmas break it gripped me. It is both entertaining and informing. She speaks about her life as child growing up in war torn Sudan, and the atrocities which occurred there, her move to New York and London, her subsequent conquering the fashion industry, and her eventual return to her birthplace. Throughout the book I literally laughed at times, and was on the verge of tears at others. It not a difficult read. It's simply a really good read. Pick it up!

Thank you Alek for sharing your story!

Alek Wek shared a story with me, through this book, that helped me to appreciate the mind of child growing up in poverty, in a family, in a culture, in a world of others who are not alike. Alek's story helped me to make connections to the old ways of my mother's mother and my mother and the very old ways that perhaps originated back in Africa; ways that were somewhat preserved from modern "civilized" ways. Alek's story helped me to appreciate the story I am leaving and hope to leave with my own children. Alek's words encourage me to be careful with my own (to say that Alek is "well-spoken" would be an understatement. As an aspiring author, myself, I would say about Alek's writing: it would seem she truly appreciates the gift of language and the power of thought behind it). Alek's book is appropriately titled in my opinion, she is not the girl of an impoverished African village or primitive tribe, she is not the rags to riches to story. She is Alek, a unique life force that has been affected and infected by the life around her. This was a special treat for me for many reasons but mainly because it reinforced my hope that our kids are listening; not only to our words but to their environment. It was again a special treat for me...to be infected with the spirit of Africa, to feel the power of her words and her love for herself...who she truly is.

inspirational

this book is amazing, touching, i cried my eyes out. its very inspiring and motivational. it made my everyday problems seems so little compared to what she went through. i will definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Inspirational and educational

I saw Alek on the Today show recently. I purchased the book and finished it in a couple of days. What a life she has lived, growing up in Sudan, as a refugee, and now supermodel. The values her parents taught the family shine through the book as does the belief in family, and tradition. The down side is the incredible killings and war torn country.