{"id":51234,"date":"2017-05-15T16:49:31","date_gmt":"2017-05-15T20:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/?p=51234"},"modified":"2023-05-02T08:53:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T12:53:15","slug":"alek-wek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/alek-wek\/","title":{"rendered":"Alek Wek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='coverpic'>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1235\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023_cover.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023_cover.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023_cover-1280x790.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023_cover-200x124.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n#content div.post {color:black;}\n.post p, .post div p:first-child {padding:0}\n.coverpic {max-width:1280px;padding: 4%;margin:auto;}\n#introbox,.txtbox,.introblurb {text-align:justify;}\n.introblurb,.introblurb p {line-height:1.6;}\n#introbox,#creditbox {border:1px solid white;padding:30px;max-width: 850px;margin: auto !important;}\n#introbox, #introbox p {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01';}\n#introbox{font-size:20px;text-align:center !important;}\n#introbox .introcredits {font-size:.85rem;padding:40px 0;}\n#introbox, .introcredits {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01', sans-serif;}\n#introbox,.txtbox,.rside {margin:0px 0 10px 0;font-weight:300;}\n.title {font-size:4.2rem;color:black;font-weight:normal;margin:auto;padding:60px 0;text-align:center;text-transform: uppercase;font-family: 'Neue Haas Unica W01';font-weight: 400;}\n.title a {color:black;}\n.subtitle {margin:auto;padding:60px 0;text-align:center;}\n.photogtitle {font-size:2rem;}\n.pullquote {font-size:1.8rem;text-align:center;font-style:italic;max-width:900px;margin:auto;padding:20px;font-family: 'Neue Haas Unica W01';}\n.txtdiv {padding: 0 40px;clear:both;}\n.txtbox {font-family:'Neue Haas Unica W01', sans-serif;width:36%;border:0;margin:auto;padding: 10% 10% 20% 10%;}\n.credits {font-size:.95rem;padding:2rem 0;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;clear:both;text-transform: uppercase;max-width: 800px;margin: auto;}\n.subcredits {font-size:.9rem;}\n.separ {border:1px solid white;clear:both;margin:60px;}\n.center {text-align: center;}\n.center img {max-width: 80%;}\n.pic40 {width:40%;margin:5% 30%;text-align:center;}\n.fullwidth {max-width:100% !important;margin-top:20px;}\n.videodiv {height:auto;width:auto;background-color:white;padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;max-width:1280px;}\n<\/style>\n<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/\/fast.fonts.net\/cssapi\/1ee7eecc-8318-40d7-9f60-2840770611c0.css?1\"\/>\n<!-- mdc set, L Futura W01,Linotype Didot W01,Neue Haas Unica W01 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"txtdiv\">\n<div id=\"introbox\">\n<div class=\"subtitle\">Models.com&#8217;s ICONS<\/div>\n<div class=\"title\"><a href='\/\/models.com\/models\/alek-wek'>Alek Wek<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"introblurb\">\nThe stamp of a supermodel doesn\u2019t come easy and Alek Wek\u2019s courageous story shows why. As a girl, she fled from her worn-torn home to become the inspiring muse for girls who never saw her type of deep dark beauty in high fashion. Photographic greats like Irving Penn, Arthur Elgort, Herb Ritts, Patrick Demarchelier, and Steven Meisel have all called upon the icon to bring her inimitable presence to the pages of Vogue and Elle.<\/p>\n<p>Not many models can attest to breaking boundaries yet since her industry debut nearly 20 years ago, the South Sudanese stunner has pushed the perception of accepted beauty and made way for countless women to follow her path of unaltered elegance. Beyond the glitz of the modelling world, Wek has tirelessly used her position to spread word on the refugee crisis in her homeland and has aligned herself with the UNHCR , UNICEF, and the H&#038;M Conscious Foundation who have all committed efforts towards providing much need provisions to the masses. With this original story shot by <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/txema-yeste'>Txema Yeste<\/a>, we spoke with the supernova about her monumental career achievements, collaborating with the industry\u2019s leading names, and what\u2019s next on the horizon. <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"introcredits\">\nPhotography &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/txema-yeste'>Txema Yeste<\/a><br \/>\nStylist &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/bernat-buscato'>Bernat Buscato<\/a><br \/>\nHair &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/lacy-redway'>Lacy Redway<\/a> (<a href='\/\/models.com\/agency\/the-wall-group'>The Wall Group<\/a>) for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.janecartersolution.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jane Carter Solution<\/a><br \/>\nMakeup &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/tyron-machhausen'>Tyron Machhausen<\/a> (<a href='\/\/models.com\/agency\/the-wall-group'>The Wall Group<\/a>) for <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/mac'>MAC<\/a><br \/>\nNails &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/natalie-pavloski'>Natalie Pavloski<\/a> (<a href='\/\/models.com\/agency\/BRIDGE-Artists'>BRIDGE Artists<\/a>) for <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/dior-beauty'>Dior Vernis<\/a><br \/>\nSet Design &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/chad-dziewior'>Chad Dziewior<\/a><br \/>\nPhoto assistants &#8211; Sergi Hernan and Robyn Schmidt<\/p>\n<p>Special Thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outpoststudio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Outpost Studios<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          Interview and text by <a href='\/\/models.com\/people\/irene-ojo-felix'>Irene Ojo-Felix<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-top:20px;\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_006.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1294\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_006.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_006-1280x828.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_006-200x129.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p><strong>What is it about modelling that has kept you going for so many years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>First of all, I enjoy my job and the business really does bring people together from all around the world if you think about it. Backstage alone, from the journalists and the beauty teams to the buyers and the models are from every country and city you could think of. That for me has been such a learning experience that I\u2019m so glad I got to have that while I was young. I never grew up knowing about fashion or magazines. Putting on makeup and getting a story done; I really believe it\u2019s team work and I feel that\u2019s what really kept me going.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s wonderful to be able to follow your gut instinct. In the 90\u2019s when I started, I didn\u2019t really have any model that I could model myself after. People said  \u201cOK, you won\u2019t be able to do commercial work. You\u2019re too strong\u201d and I\u2019m thought, I\u2019m normal! I\u2019m 5\u201911\u2019\u2019!  I can work! There was so much pressure to change myself. Steven Meisel said to me, \u201cAlek\u2026 take this wig off! I just want you to be you.\u201d  It\u2019s wonderful when it\u2019s a project that has to do with wanting your personality. At least for me I always feel like if I can\u2019t be myself, there\u2019s no way I could fake it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2609\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_082-2000x2609.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-51240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_082.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_082-1280x1670.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_082-153x200.jpg 153w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023-2000x2589.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-51237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F01_023-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">RIGHT: Wool jacket &#8211; JOLIBE. Slippers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/pierre-hardy'>Pierre Hardy<\/a> (Courtesy of Albright Fashion Library)\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p><strong>It\u2019s interesting to hear you talk about being yourself in the truest form because so many women have mentioned how revolutionary you\u2019ve been in that respect.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I think it\u2019s important. I feel that I have to tell the truth because at the end, that\u2019s what\u2019s going to save you moving forward. Feeling comfortable in your own shoes. I think it\u2019s good to be able to say to a young person that you are enough. You can improve but it doesn\u2019t take away who you are. Some people are loud, some people are shy, it doesn\u2019t make them any better or any less. It\u2019s all about how you look at things so for me I was really fortunate to have agents and I wasn\u2019t getting sold shortcuts or in a derogatory way. So, that for me was a blessing. And my family, they kept me grounded as well. <\/p>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">\n    Feeling comfortable in your own shoes. I think it\u2019s good to be able to say to a young person that you are enough. You can improve but it doesn\u2019t take away who you are. Some people are loud, some people are shy, it doesn\u2019t make them any better or any less.\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Did you realize you were changing the perception of beauty? You were one of the first successful North African dark-skinned models.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t think that I was controversial because for me growing up as one of five girls I always thought that we were gorgeous. For me I felt sad that there wasn\u2019t any representation of young black models, just full of energy. I had just come out of South Sudan so I was grateful to have that opportunity when I got scouted. I went to London College of Fashion which helped me with how I managed my business because it\u2019s not just about the looks. As a model you pay for everything. Food, travel, everything. I also didn\u2019t want to go into a job that was going to degrade me. I\u2019m glad that I stuck to my gut and what I felt was important to my integrity to be able to not just do things because they\u2019re cool or because somebody else is doing it. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why I think beauty shouldn\u2019t be celebrated just culturally, because if we do we just get stuck. Young people should really see all sorts of representation. Kids need to be able to have that. They are marketing to open up diversity in magazines and that\u2019s good! I mean it\u2019s 2017 for goodness sake! I feel now that we\u2019re getting there in starting to talk about this, in representing all types of women in general. That was my thing, you know? We should have fun with makeup, hair and clothes but most importantly we should embrace each other too. That\u2019s something I feel that we need to do collectively. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F06_041.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F06_041.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F06_041-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F06_041-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_275.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_275.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_275-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_275-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">Right: Robe &#8211; Vintage <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/donna-karan'>Donna Karan<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p><strong>Most definitely. Seeing diversity has a positive impact on us all.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And make it also a conversation! It\u2019s not like before when people used to say \u201cOh it\u2019s not going to sell!\u201d  You can\u2019t be stuck in one way because the world is colorful. The smart ones are the ones that are cashing in now but I feel it has such a long way to go. I am so glad I can go to Paris and do Balenciaga. Meet the new generations of girls after me. There are Asian models and there never used to be Asian models on the runway. It\u2019s a big market so why shouldn\u2019t there be? Being able to be realistic too because going through the civil war really let me know that I could not have a chip on my shoulder. So for me, I\u2019m like, if it\u2019s not working out with a brand or photographer, understanding that perhaps we are not a match. It\u2019s okay, I would rather have a healthy relationship than become bitter. So, I think we have a long way but it\u2019s beautiful to be able to see finally some color. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What does iconic mean to you? Whether it\u2019s your career or just in general from an existential viewpoint?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For me, career wise your success should be humbling because that doesn\u2019t define who you are. Being iconic means inspiring change. I feel my parents raised us to be thinkers and good human beings the best that they could. I didn\u2019t want to just model for the sake of the vanity, I knew that there was a bigger purpose, being able to shed light on important issues like the refugee crisis. We went back to South Sudan during the civil war and for three days we were barricaded, we had to go to the bush and the whole town was burnt down. It was the UNHCR in their blue vests giving out grains and milk because, there wasn\u2019t anything that was cultivated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_146.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_146.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_146-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F05_146-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_067.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_067.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_067-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_067-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">Left: Dress &#8211; Vintage <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/helmut-lang'>Helmut Lang<\/a>. Slippers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/pierre-hardy'>Pierre Hardy.<\/a> Right: Muslin dress and bolero &#8211; JOLIBE. Slippers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/pierre-hardy'>Pierre Hardy<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p><strong>And who are your icons?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For me, I literally got to work with such amazing folks. Irving Penn, we had genuine conversations and we were from such completely different backgrounds. Such respect and I got to learn about his work. He is Vogue &#8211; those beautiful black and white portraits of classic women. I got to work with him and Issey Miyake because they were friends for one of his ad campaigns and they were really great moments. Herb Ritts, again, he gave me all of these beautiful books that he signed at the time. The  Pirelli Calendar was really awesome. I went with him to Paris to the Fondation Cartier (Pour L&#8217;art Contemporain) for the exhibition. The picture he took of me was on the cover and was in photo magazines so it has traveled all over. He had such a nice sense of humor. Some people found him difficult to work with as if he was strict but he wasn\u2019t. He was a very thorough person and I\u2019m humbled to have been able to work with him then. Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. I mean, he made me into a bride of Chanel couture. Diane von F\u00fcrstenberg for me is another women who celebrates other women in her designs and out. I could go on and on and on. <\/p>\n<div class=\"pullquote\">\n    Being iconic means inspiring change. I feel my parents raised us to be thinkers and good human beings the best that they could. I didn\u2019t want to just model for the sake of the vanity, I knew that there was a bigger purpose, being able to shed light on important issues like the refugee crisis.\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>When it comes to women, it\u2019s a very female dominated industry and women are able to rise to power. How has it been being able to be your own businesswoman and make decisions for yourself? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t take it for granted or hold it over people\u2019s heads. I\u2019m a team player. I always say to the younger girls all we have is each other. We are colleagues. So, it\u2019s better that we can comfort each other or talk about things. We may not want to hear it but at least you can hash it out. I try, like any relationships you might not always see each other but whenever you do, it\u2019s love. That\u2019s why the Dries Van Noten (F\/W 17) show was so magical &#8211; he was teary eyed, Amber (Valletta) was there, we\u2019re cracking up and it was wonderful to again to feel celebrated as a woman. It was so nice to show that, oh models they don&#8217;t just walk up and down. They actually have an identity. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_076.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_076.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_076-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_076-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_001.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_001-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F02_001-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">Right: Bolero &#8211; JOLIBE.<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<strong>On another side, your philanthropic work  has allowed for you to highlight the stories of refugees in your native South Sudan. With the current political climate, what do you think is important to understand about the global refugee crisis?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Being a former refugee from South Sudan there was so much bloodshed, I ended up seeking refuge in London. Refugees are just like you and I except for the fact that they have absolutely nothing. When you talk about desperation, this is what it is. They\u2019re not criminals and there shouldn\u2019t be a stigma on it. They\u2019re part of the community. So, I feel really sensitive to the fact that families are not going to be able to be unified. If we are from a place where we built values on core ideals then we need to assess if we\u2019re not going to be able to help other fellow human beings. Not having shelter, food, water, those are the things that the UNHCR provides. That\u2019s why I continue to work with them as a goodwill ambassador and raise funds. The US government only gives, I believe, 20% to the organization so the rest is private donors. We did one fundraiser with Cate Blanchett, who became a goodwill ambassador in London. She did one in New York across the street from the Met. Ethan Hawke, Meryl Streep, Harvey Weinstein, were all there. A violin player from Syria and a pianist and singer from West Africa. She\u2019s working on music projects over there with young people. So, it\u2019s really positive things. Also, I get to collaborate with the H&#038;M Conscious Foundation. They\u2019ve donated like 27 million dollars for clean water, education, and women\u2019s rights. The best way to tackle things of course is to take care of our little ones education and women globally. I did a project just before Christmas where people could buy a gift card and that helped raise up to 9 million.<\/p>\n<p>But when the media debates, should we let refugees in or we shouldn\u2019t? I feel that it\u2019s a very sensitive subject that shouldn\u2019t be idly tossed around. These are families with dignity and I feel that stigma needs to be taken out of it. People need to be educated. I\u2019m constantly having to educate myself too because remember, I don\u2019t live in South Sudan anymore but I want to be able to go back! People can go online to UNagency.org or UNHCR and see all of the policies and how they can contribute to the biggest refugee agency in the world. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/AlekRightViolin.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/AlekRightViolin.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/AlekRightViolin-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/AlekRightViolin-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"credits\">Coat &#8211; HNDWVN. Dress &#8211; JOLIBE. Slippers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/pierre-hardy'>Pierre Hardy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<p><strong>It\u2019s amazing to hear your alignment with the H&#038;M Conscious Foundation and of course the United Nations is something that\u2019s definitely making a difference. I saw you were able to have boots on ground and visit South Sudan again. How was that experience like? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes! I went for the one year anniversary of South Sudan\u2019s independence with the UNHCR and this was before this whole conflict just arose again. It\u2019s truly tragic what is happening. I went to a refugee camp back during the rainy season and you could just imagine the dynamic but the resilience for them to be able to sit down and tell me their stories just brought tears to my eyes. It brought memories back. You would think that these would be the people who would be so angry and upset but they had such resilience and it really gave me something that I took away.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2583\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F11_055-1-2000x2583.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-51249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F11_055-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F11_055-1-1280x1653.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F11_055-1-155x200.jpg 155w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 columns\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_104-2000x2589.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-51248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_104.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_104-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F09_104-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credits\">Left: Shirt, pants and sneakers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/the-row'>The Row<\/a>. Right: Dress &#8211; JOLIBE. Slippers &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/pierre-hardy'>Pierre Hardy<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"txtbox\">\n<strong>I know no one ever likes to think that they\u2019ll stop working, but what is next for you? What have you not done that you want to accomplish? How long do you want to keep modeling in the capacity that you\u2019re doing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well I\u2019m definitely not doing all of the show circuits. That\u2019s kaput! *laughs* I will do an appearance, pay my bills and get to see my colleagues but not everything. My personal life is already doing well but it\u2019s definitely a balance. It\u2019s not easy but the more I get older the more comfortable I am in my shoes. I love to be able to go out for an opening of a documentary. I love writing, poetry, I love playing more of my violin. I want to help more with the UNHCR and other companies like H&#038;M Conscious Foundation that want to help the world and my people.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F07_008.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F07_008.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F07_008-1280x1657.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/mdx\/i\/2017\/05\/MODELS_F07_008-154x200.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"credits\">Jumpsuit &#8211; <a href='\/\/models.com\/client\/the-row'>The Row<\/a>. Trenchcoat &#8211; WANDA NYLON. Slippers &#8211; NEWBARK (Courtesy of Albright Fashion Library)\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The MDC Icon dominates in Txema Yeste&#8217;s latest story for Models.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":51236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[155,2129,4264,99,4257,1538],"tags":[2055,2900,1712,2902,2903,2899,1381,2554,1781,350,2536,2549,2898,1872,2398,1167,2901],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51234"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51234"}],"version-history":[{"count":64,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51287,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51234\/revisions\/51287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/mdx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}