Alek Wek may be a gorgeous, world-famous supermodel – but she’s anything but jaded.
She lives in Brooklyn instead of Manhattan, orders ginger ales instead of cosmopolitans, and chooses to work extra-long hours out of her basement.
“Three years ago, I started painting again – like I did when I was younger,” the Sudanese-born model says.
“I’d work, go home and then [paint] till 4 a.m. in my basement. It was a lot of fun. It felt good to get something out of my system.”
The multitalented Wek has since moved into design, and has released a chic line of leather bags, alligator-skin purses and chunky belts, called “Alek Wek 1933.”
“The year 1933 is when my father was born. He passed away when I was 12. He was very good to us,” says the 25-year-old stunner, who is following in the path of supermodels-turned-businesswomen like Naomi Campbell and Iman.
“He really helped people. He was the one who told me to go to college and do it all.”
Her father was killed in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, in 1989, when her family fled to escape persecution. Wek, her mother, her four brothers and four sisters – all members of the 3 million Dinka tribe – survived.
“I don’t even know the real date of my birth,” she says. “My mom told me it’s sometime in the rain season.”
Alek and her younger sister moved to Great Britain, and Wek attended the London School of Fashion. The statuesque beauty was soon discovered at an outdoor market in London in 1995.
She has since worked for top fashion houses including Gucci, Fendi, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Halston.
Wek’s trademark print on her bags and belts consists of swirly gold and silver lines that resemble palm prints.
“I really fell in love with the hand, so I took my hand print and exaggerated it on the bags and belts,” she says.
The 5-foot-11 beauty also noticed that all her ultra-fancy Fendi bags and Prada totes (she received as freebies) weren’t compatible with her hectic travel schedule.
“I’m always on the go so I needed a bag that was good for travel, but at the same time was good quality,” she says.
“So I spoke to a friend of mine, and she said, ‘You can do this yourself, if you really want to.’ She introduced me to a bag manufacturer in Brooklyn and I talked to him.”
And voilà !
“Alek Wek 1933” is sold at Barneys and Boudoir. The price range is $500-$800.
Bag credits:
Black alligator clutch, $1,050
Small black woven leather bag, $250
Natural leather belts with handpainted silkscreen, $395