Haute Of Africa: The Top African Models Taking Fashion’s Center Stage
The Standout Star: Ajak
Angelique Deng, 21, who goes by Ajak, survived the emotional upheaval of leaving her home in Tonj, Southern Sudan at just 12 for a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. Ultimately, she moved to Australia where she was discovered. Catwalking toward “super” status, Ajak has signed a contract to become a face of Benetton, has scored editorials in Vogue and fashion insider mag i-D, and has enjoyed the prestigious honor of closing the Spring 2011 Lanvin show. Fashion editor Zandile Blay credits Ajak’s standout status to the model’s decision to die her hair blonde. “She’s since dyed her hair back,” Blay points out, “[but], I think for a fraction of a second, it shone a light—literally—on her.”