Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede is a supermodel born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Amharic ethnicity. As a young woman, Liya did modeling in her native Ethiopia. She has remarked that the modeling industry in that country is quite different from the European catwalks from which she is now seen ubiquitously. In Ethiopia, she had to provide her own shoes for each runway show.

Related Topics:
Supermodel - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia - Amharic

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While in school at the French Lycee, a film director spotted Liya and introduced her to a French modelling agent. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a local Parisian agency. After a short time, Liya re-located to NYC where she currently resides with her husband Kassy and their son Suhul.

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She has been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese and Spanish Vogue, V, French, Flair, i-D and Time's Style & Design. She is one of a very few ethnically African models featured in major fashion photo shoots and runway shows. She is often used in haute couture and other high-class clothing campaigns, as well as Victoria's Secret (though she is not the curvy, busty Swimsuit model type Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell were). Liya has been featured in ad campaigns including Gap, YSL, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana and currectly in S/S 2004 ads for Escada and Louis Vuitton.

Related Topics:
Gap - YSL - Emanuel Ungaro - Tommy Hilfiger - Dolce & Gabbana - Escada - Louis Vuitton

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Liya was resently named the newest face of Estee Lauder cosmetics, the first woman of color to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history. This compelled the New York Times to write an article about how Liya has successfully triumphed over the challenges that face models of color in today's industry.

Related Topics:
Estee Lauder - Woman of color - New York Times

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Liya has also established herself amongst the ranks of fashion's elite on the NY - Milan - Paris runway circuit. Her big break came when Tom Ford asked Liya to walk in exclusive for his Gucci A/W 2000 fashion show.

Related Topics:
NY - Milan - Paris - Tom Ford - Gucci

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In 2005, she was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

Related Topics:
2005 - WHO Goodwill Ambassador

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