INTRODUCTION
Ajak Deng is a South Sudanese-Australian fashion model renowned for her striking presence on international runways and her advocacy for diversity in the fashion industry.
Birth name: Ajak Deng
Career
Fashion Model, Advocate
Birthday
December 7, 1989
Age: 35
Zodiac Sign:
Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tonj, Warrap State, South Sudan
Nationality: Australian
HOW BIG IS Ajak Deng ON THE NET?
Ajak Deng maintains an active online presence, particularly on Instagram, where she shares insights into her modeling work, personal experiences, and advocacy efforts. Her engagement with a global audience underscores her influence in the fashion industry.
HOW DID Ajak Deng become famous?
After being scouted in Melbourne while still in high school, Deng signed with FRM Model Management in 2008. Her international breakthrough came with campaigns for United Colors of Benetton and runway appearances for prestigious fashion houses such as Valentino, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chloé, Maison Martin Margiela, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. She has also modeled for brands like Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Louis Vuitton, Gap Inc., Nine West, Kate Spade, MAC Cosmetics, Kenzo, Topshop, Rick Owens, Thom Browne, Jason Wu, Hermès, Belstaff, Emilio Pucci, Sally Hansen, Thakoon, and Valentino.
BEFORE THE FAME
Born in Tonj, South Sudan, Deng’s early life was marked by upheaval due to civil war. Her family fled to a refugee camp in Kenya, where they lived for several years. Following the death of her mother from malaria, Deng and her siblings were granted asylum in Australia in 2005, settling in Melbourne.
CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED);
Beyond her modeling career, Deng is an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusion within the fashion industry. She has been vocal about the challenges faced by models of color and has used her platform to address issues of representation. In 2016, she briefly stepped away from modeling, citing frustrations with industry “fakes and lies,” but later returned with a renewed focus on authenticity and advocacy.
