Alek Wek talks about being discovered as a model, being raised to believe she was beautiful and posing in Lacroix for David LaChapelle

This is a series of films that tells the history of contemporary fashion photography as seen through the eyes of models.

from 1 moment you're not a model, the next moment you are, What's that moment?

I was 19 years old in my second year in college Majoring in art history and design,

and I did other courses as well marketing and so forth and My mother was really happy obviously because we've gone through the civil war in South Sudan and before coming out.

Oh I was living in West Hampstead in Kilburn.

So I would take the bus go to Oxford Circus that's where I was going to study in LCF, London Institute.

So I would do that every morning and before that I would go cleaning at BBC Radio

pay for my school tools and my school equipment and some necessities.

So that's what I was doing when a friend of mine at school went to Crystal Palace Park Sunday afternoon in the summer and there was a fair going on and there was comedy and it was a lot of fun and my mother did not let us go raving per se.

So she said you know but of course going to the park is fine and that's where Scott walked up to me.

I came back home and I said, mum, look at this card.

This woman said, you know, I could be a model and she just gave me this look.

She goes, I like, stop with this modeling business.

That's what you have to do is get your education.

This modelling business, do you see them?

In page 3 and I'm like, oh that really mortified and I was like, mum but I don't look like that.

I love the idea of you as a page 3 model.

That's great, but I'm trying to catch up.

2 weeks later, she called and she's like, oh, you didn't come in.

So we didn't have cell phones at the time and I would be the last person to have a cell phone.

So my mom is like, who is this woman calling with this modeling business?

So then she called again and then I said, you know what?

My sister and my friend, She was like, you have to go, you've got to go.

And I completely thought it was dodgy as well.

It turned out it wasn't when I walked in.

It was an office with lots of people and what the girls on the board and what they were talking to me about like well this is how we see you doing the runways and doing you know some commercials and I'm like me?

Let me ask you another personal question.

I thought I was beautiful as a woman because that's how I was raised It wasn't looking at Something else in a magazine.

Yeah as soon as you're a woman, that's just how we're raised.

And certainly with models who are usually, like yourself, are physically quite different from a lot of people, which are more

Well, when I went to the agency, I was like, really, you really think I can do all of this?

Because I don't look like that, you understand that right?

And they were like we know that and I was like okay so I can be me right?

I'm not gonna wear like blonde hair and try it and they started laughing actually And that was when I told, I was telling you earlier, that was a really profound moment because as soon as I realized and the team, the hair and the makeup and photographers, they knew I can be the young lady I was and they will evolve with me and I don't have to, I don't know, compromise or...

And believe it or not, it gives me a rash right now, I saw her father on Broadway about 2 years ago.

And he ran up to me and he's like, do you remember?

And he's like, you shot with my daughter and I love this image.

And I'm like, there's only a few times that I shot with little girls.

And then when he told me about the pink dress, I was like, oh my God!

It's like, yes, she's in college now and she's doing amazing.

And Kodak, actually, I think they had commissioned this photograph for the colour of it.

So, tell me a little bit about this picture.

We were shooting this in the mid of summer in Queens.

Christian Lacroix's shows were so beautiful.

So that was from, especially his couture shows, it's just incredible.

This dress was from Christian Lacroix and then the stylist, they made, you know, they made me a mum for this little girl for the day and she was so sweet, such a champ, about 6, 7 years old and David you know he's quite a talker, you will know he's in the house before you even see him and he was like and I know exactly what it is and this is where the house needs to be and oh my god I like and you are just and I am outgoing but I'm quite shy as a person as well so I was like wow nice to meet you and he's like oh you're fabulous darling and I like it and I'm like really?

Okay I like you too So what we doing here?

And he goes, okay, so you're gonna have a little girl, she's gonna be your daughter for the day.

From Brooklyn, Downtown, to Lower East Side, to Uptown, Manhattan.

The people, you could still see some of the people, the locals, they were like, you don't have to be in there because they have to sign a waiver or something.

And I was like, I mean, it's not like every day they get to have such a shoot outside

So this was a really lovely moment and we got to do other shoots.

But yeah, I would say this was the beginning of Alekwek.

But this was like when I started, which is quite nice.

Like you could see, we're both trying our poses.

And was that house really wrapped in pink or was that David afterwards?

That was wrapped in pink, but it wasn't as big as this.

They manipulated, they did it with the computer.

So he really, I think, I think the outfit inspired everything else.

And it was really nice to do it in such, I mean the weather, you couldn't have asked for any better weather.

So the house is dropped in afterwards, is what we're saying?

So the house is a model that's dropped in later on.

Yeah, and I thought the photographers, they were quite similar all until I started working.

That's why I'm interested in finding out a little bit about wanting to pry into different photographers practice, but I'm interested.

I'm interested in how photography has developed, how fashion photographers have become such a powerful art form, or certainly was such a powerful art form.

Just tell me, what are you, lots of people, what's in front of you?

Obviously we can see you and the little girl.

It was a lot of people and it was really really sunny.

It wasn't very easy to shoot without anybody's reflection, especially when there were so many around, even David himself.

I mean, he was just like, he was running all over between, you know, just him talking and what he was shooting But I found it all quite hilarious, and I loved it.

I mean It's not like every day you got to wear this amazing Christian Lacroix pink dress with like a black, you know, beautiful strap around it And with a little girl and I love kids.

I used to babysit my sister's kids I just found it so amazing and then her doing the pose.

I was like if she can do it now I have to give it.

No, I couldn't remember her name It's really bad.

I should but she but I remembered her father Meeting her a meeting him on West Broadway, and he came up to me and said, oh my daughter is in college at the moment and she still has that picture and he buys everything he says, like even the book that I wrote in 2007, just you know so that she sees it as she's growing up in college, which really gave me a different perspective as well.

And just tell me a little bit more about this actual photograph.

Are you in front of the camera for an hour or for half an hour or 3 hours?

What sort of length of time you posing, modelling?

That was like half an hour, it wasn't too long.

I think it took more longer to have the house and to have all the team and to set it up and to adjust the light, because again, that was a daylight.

And to make sure there was no, what do you call it?

So that took some time, but once it was on, it was on.

And because we were working with a young girl, we had to be also careful.

We can't make her stand there and pose for like, you know, an hour.

So we'll be having what is it social services?

Yeah, they're very tough on that in the States.

Yeah, which is good I mean somebody has to protect the little ones.

It was more like, all right, let's get this done.

It's like, come on and let's go and let's do it.

The people in Queens had quite a moment that time.


Speaker 0: This is a series of films that tells the history of contemporary fashion photography as seen through the eyes of models. How were you discovered? How did it,

Speaker 1: from 1 moment you're not a model, the next moment you are, What's that moment?

Speaker 2: I was 19 years old in my second year in college Majoring in art history and design,

Speaker 1: okay,

Speaker 2: and I did other courses as well marketing and so forth and My mother was really happy obviously because we've gone through the civil war in South Sudan and before coming out.

Speaker 1: So where are you living now? I'm not now, I mean when

Speaker 2: that happened. Oh I was living in West Hampstead in Kilburn.

Speaker 1: Okay.

Speaker 2: So I would take the bus go to Oxford Circus that's where I was going to study in LCF, London Institute. So I would do that every morning and before that I would go cleaning at BBC Radio

Speaker 1: to

Speaker 2: pay for my school tools and my school equipment and some necessities. So that's what I was doing when a friend of mine at school went to Crystal Palace Park Sunday afternoon in the summer and there was a fair going on and there was comedy and it was a lot of fun and my mother did not let us go raving per se. That was no no no. So she said you know but of course going to the park is fine and that's where Scott walked up to me. Little did she know.

I came back home and I said, mum, look at this card. This woman said, you know, I could be a model and she just gave me this look. She goes, I like, stop with this modeling business. Go back to school. That's what you have to do is get your education.

This modelling business, do you see them? In page 3 and I'm like, oh that really mortified and I was like, mum but I don't look like that. And she's like, but You never know.

Speaker 1: I love the idea of you as a page 3 model. That's great, but I'm trying to catch up.

Speaker 2: And I was like, oh no. So I went back to school. 2 weeks later, she called and she's like, oh, you didn't come in. So we didn't have cell phones at the time and I would be the last person to have a cell phone. So my mom is like, who is this woman calling with this modeling business?

She's like, I told you stop with this. So I was like, okay. So then she called again and then I said, you know what? My sister and my friend, She was like, you have to go, you've got to go. So we all went.

And I completely thought it was dodgy as well. It turned out it wasn't when I walked in. It was actually legitimate. It was an office with lots of people and what the girls on the board and what they were talking to me about like well this is how we see you doing the runways and doing you know some commercials and I'm like me? In television?

Oh my god.

Speaker 1: Let me ask you another personal question. Did you think you were beautiful?

Speaker 2: Oh, yeah,

Speaker 1: okay, so you knew you're beautiful

Speaker 2: I thought I was beautiful as a woman because that's how I was raised It wasn't looking at Something else in a magazine. Yeah as soon as you're a woman, that's just how we're raised. There's so many qualities. But it's

Speaker 1: not always like that. And certainly with models who are usually, like yourself, are physically quite different from a lot of people, which are more

Speaker 2: slender, more tall, et cetera. Well, when I went to the agency, I was like, really, you really think I can do all of this? Because I don't look like that, you understand that right? And they were like we know that and I was like okay so I can be me right? I'm not gonna wear like blonde hair and try it and they started laughing actually And that was when I told, I was telling you earlier, that was a really profound moment because as soon as I realized and the team, the hair and the makeup and photographers, they knew I can be the young lady I was and they will evolve with me and I don't have to, I don't know, compromise or...

Speaker 1: Change or

Speaker 2: you can

Speaker 1: be you.

Speaker 2: That was a really ha-ha moment. David LaChapelle. Yeah. And believe it or not, it gives me a rash right now, I saw her father on Broadway about 2 years ago. And this little girl is in college.

Oh really? Yes. And he ran up to me and he's like, do you remember? And I'm like, no. And he's like, you shot with my daughter and I love this image.

And I'm like, there's only a few times that I shot with little girls. And then when he told me about the pink dress, I was like, oh my God! It's like, yes, she's in college now and she's doing amazing. And Kodak, actually, I think they had commissioned this photograph for the colour of it. That was Christian Lacroix.

Speaker 1: So, tell me a little bit about this picture. I know it's David LaChapelle.

Speaker 2: David LaChapelle.

Speaker 1: What's going on here? Are you hearing music?

Speaker 2: We were shooting this in the mid of summer in Queens. We were wearing the pink outfits. This was from 1 of the shows. Christian Lacroix's shows were so beautiful. Did you ever get a chance to see

Speaker 1: them before? Early on video.

Speaker 2: It was really, really beautiful. He was amazing. So that was from, especially his couture shows, it's just incredible. This dress was from Christian Lacroix and then the stylist, they made, you know, they made me a mum for this little girl for the day and she was so sweet, such a champ, about 6, 7 years old and David you know he's quite a talker, you will know he's in the house before you even see him and he was like and I know exactly what it is and this is where the house needs to be and oh my god I like and you are just and I am outgoing but I'm quite shy as a person as well so I was like wow nice to meet you and he's like oh you're fabulous darling and I like it and I'm like really? Okay I like you too So what we doing here?

And he goes, okay, so you're gonna have a little girl, she's gonna be your daughter for the day. We're gonna go to Queens. It was the first time I went to Queens. Right, okay. And each area is so different.

From Brooklyn, Downtown, to Lower East Side, to Uptown, Manhattan. So that was really fun. The people, you could still see some of the people, the locals, they were like, you don't have to be in there because they have to sign a waiver or something. They were like, absolutely. And I was like, I mean, it's not like every day they get to have such a shoot outside

Speaker 1: of the

Speaker 2: doorstep. I would just work from home.

Speaker 1: And by

Speaker 2: the way,

Speaker 1: who is this for?

Speaker 2: This was for French Vogue.

Speaker 1: French Vogue, right.

Speaker 2: Yeah, French Vogue. So this was a really lovely moment and we got to do other shoots. But yeah, I would say this was the beginning of Alekwek. Okay. Becoming a supermodel.

But this was like when I started, which is quite nice. Like you could see, we're both trying our poses.

Speaker 1: Absolutely. And was that house really wrapped in pink or was that David afterwards?

Speaker 2: That was wrapped in pink, but it wasn't as big as this. They manipulated, they did it with the computer. But it was quite big. Yeah, it was at least the size of her. Okay.

Yeah, which is, you know, yeah. Yeah. It's quite big. So he really, I think, I think the outfit inspired everything else. And it was really nice to do it in such, I mean the weather, you couldn't have asked for any better weather.

You couldn't have shot it in the summer.

Speaker 1: So the house is dropped in afterwards, is what we're saying? Yeah. So the house is a model that's dropped in later on.

Speaker 2: Yeah, and I thought the photographers, they were quite similar all until I started working. Everyone was very different. Yeah,

Speaker 1: no sure. That's why I'm interested in finding out a little bit about wanting to pry into different photographers practice, but I'm interested. I'm interested in how photography has developed, how fashion photographers have become such a powerful art form, or certainly was such a powerful art form. Just tell me, what are you, lots of people, what's in front of you? Obviously we can see you and the little girl.

Speaker 2: The team was a lot. It was a lot of people. It was a lot of people and it was really really sunny. And he didn't want... There was a lot of reflections.

It wasn't very easy to shoot without anybody's reflection, especially when there were so many around, even David himself. And he was quite a bunny. I mean, he was just like, he was running all over between, you know, just him talking and what he was shooting But I found it all quite hilarious, and I loved it. I mean It's not like every day you got to wear this amazing Christian Lacroix pink dress with like a black, you know, beautiful strap around it And with a little girl and I love kids. I used to babysit my sister's kids I just found it so amazing and then her doing the pose.

I was like if she can do it now I have to give it.

Speaker 1: Do you remember her name?

Speaker 2: No, I couldn't remember her name It's really bad. I should but she but I remembered her father Meeting her a meeting him on West Broadway, and he came up to me and said, oh my daughter is in college at the moment and she still has that picture and he buys everything he says, like even the book that I wrote in 2007, just you know so that she sees it as she's growing up in college, which really gave me a different perspective as well.

Speaker 1: Sure. Yeah. And just tell me a little bit more about this actual photograph. How long is that session? Are you in front of the camera for an hour or for half an hour or 3 hours?

What sort of length of time you posing, modelling?

Speaker 2: That was like half an hour, it wasn't too long. Yeah. It wasn't too long. I think it took more longer to have the house and to have all the team and to set it up and to adjust the light, because again, that was a daylight. And to make sure there was no, what do you call it?

There was no, what do you call these? Shadows? Shadows, yes. Lack of words. So that took some time, but once it was on, it was on.

And because we were working with a young girl, we had to be also careful. We can't make her stand there and pose for like, you know, an hour. So we'll be having what is it social services? Bring bring.

Speaker 1: Yeah, they're very tough on that in the States. Yeah.

Speaker 2: Yeah, which is good I mean somebody has to protect the little ones. So I totally enjoyed it. It was more like, all right, let's get this done.

Speaker 1: Is he playing music? What are you hearing?

Speaker 2: He plays a lot of loud music.

Speaker 1: Right, okay.

Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1: So you're hearing

Speaker 2: music in the studio? It's like, come on and let's go and let's do it. Oh, yeah, yeah. The people in Queens had quite a moment that time.

Speaker 1: Yeah, I bet.

Speaker 2: Yeah. Oh, they enjoyed it very much.

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Subjective: Alex Wek interviewed by Nick Knight about David LaChapelle