By Isake Tom

It’s true what they say; dreams really can come true. Each day Ajak Deng is living her childhood dream.

Born December 7, 1989, model Ajak Deng’s look is as unique as her story. To the uninformed public, she is Ajak Deng; one of Australia’s hottest and upcoming supermodels. Since her debut at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in 2008, this 20 year old has already walked the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier, Chloe, Givenchy, and Lanvin. She’s also produced very impressive spreads for industry giants; Interview and V magazines. But for those that know her story she is also Ajak Deng; the young woman that survived and escaped a  long and brutal civil war in her native homeland of Sudan.

At the age of 12, Ajak along with her mother, four brothers and three sisters, fled violence in Sudan for a refugee camp in neighbouring Kenya. There her mother eventually succumbed to malaria, leaving her to care for her younger siblings, most notably her 6 month old sister.

In 2005 she and her family were able to immigrate to Australia and since then, Deng has been steadily walking her way to supermodel status. She’s currently signed to FRM Model Management in Australia, as well as the world’s number one model agency; IMG Models in New York. She cites fellow Sudanese model Alek Wek as her inspiration and role model. Aside from the day to day activities of a busy model; such as shooting a Fall 2010 campaign for fashion retailer Topshop or walking the runway for Paris Fashion Week, Deng is currently studying for her Victorian Certificate of Education and hopes to pursue her second passion; law.

Her life today in the fast lane and bright lights of New York City is a far cry from the dusty village she calls home in Sudan. She is truly inspiring and well deserving of all her present and future success.

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