Liya Kebede
Ethiopian model, fashion designer and actress
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Key Takeaways
- Liya Kebede (Amharic: ሊያ ከበደ ; born 1 March 1978) is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress.
- Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health since 2005.
- She is ethnic Amhara.
- A film director spotted her while she was attending the French international Lycée Guébré-Mariam , the school in which she learned fluent French, and introduced her to a French modeling agent.
- Kebede later relocated to the US, initially to Chicago then New York City.
Liya Kebede (Amharic: ሊያ ከበደ; born 1 March 1978) is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress. She has appeared on the cover of Vogue 20 times.
Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health since 2005.
Early life and education
Kebede was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is ethnic Amhara. She is the only daughter in the family, having four brothers. A film director spotted her while she was attending the French international Lycée Guébré-Mariam, the school in which she learned fluent French, and introduced her to a French modeling agent. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a Parisian agency. Kebede later relocated to the US, initially to Chicago then New York City.
Modeling career
Kebede's big break came when Tom Ford asked her for an exclusive contract for his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. Then in May 2002 she was on the cover of Paris Vogue, which dedicated the entire issue to her.
Kebede has been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese, American, French and Spanish Vogue, V, i-D and Time's Style & Design. She has been featured in ad campaigns including those for Shiatzy Chen, Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria's Secret, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada and Louis Vuitton.
In 2003, Kebede was named the newest face of Estée Lauder cosmetics, the only Ethiopian to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history. Her contract was rumoured to be worth $3 million. At this time in Kebede's career, she was ranked #1 on models.com.
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