Born in Sudan, Alek Wek defies many of the unwritten rules of what it takes to be a supermodel. She became a super model in 1997 after gracing the cover of Elle magazine. In what was an ...

Last week W magazine's official Twitter account was widely slammed after it posted a photo of models Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Alek Wek but saw fit to only tag the Hadid sisters, leaving the ...

In honor of Alek Wek’s birthday, we decided to throw it back to this photo of the Sudanese model from Vogue’s September 1997 issue.

According to the moving speech she delivered at Essence ’s Black Women in Hollywood event, Nyong’o acknowledged Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek to be one of her biggest inspirations.

Alek Wek. Photo by Getty Images. Most underrated product: Rosebud Salve Lip Balm ($6, sephora.com). Never leave the house without: Hermès Voyage, lipstick, blush, powder, and mascara.

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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has said she was “conditioned to reject” her complexion but felt permission to value it thanks to the Sudanese- British model Alek Wek.

Sixteen years ago Alek Wek left behind life as a Sudanese refugee in Britain to become one of the world's most sought-after cover girls. Her amazing journey from a poverty-stricken childhood in ...

PHOTOS: ESSENCE 2014 Black Women in Hollywood Event Recap In her speech, Nyong’o reminisced about the importance of seeing the rise of supermodel Wek, a woman with skin hued like hers.

The girls pose alongside bees and one model makes a dramatic announcement at panel.