About me:
"My Bio"
LIYA KEBEDE
American Vogue has touted Liya Kebede, as a member of the “New Establishment”. Models.com proclaimed “All Hail Liya!”. Since being featured in their “Of the Minute” section five years ago, she has moved all the way up in rank as their number one choice of “Top 50 Models”. Liya has succeeded in becoming the name on everybody’s lips and is definitely an IMG star on the rise.
This international beauty was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While in school at the French Lycee, a film director spotted the young beauty and introduced her to a French modeling agent. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a local Parisian agency.
It all came together when she appeared on the cover and in 4 out of 6 stories of French Vogue, shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, with a headline that proudly states the issue is “All about Liya.” She has since appeared on the cover of many other international editions of Vogue (America, Italian, Japanese, Korean & Spanish), as well as Numero, V, French, Flair, i-D, South African Elle, Harper’s & Queen, Essence, and Time’s Style & Design issue. She was also featured on the September 2004 cover of American Vogue, where she was named one of the leading faces of “the Return of the Super Model”.
Liya was featured for the second time on the May 2005 cover of American Vogue, with the heading “Cover Model With a Cause”. This special issue profiled her work with the World Health Organization as their Goodwill Ambassador for her tireless efforts in raising awareness for the difficulties that women and children face in the developing world. In the letter from the editor, Anna Wintour states, “It’s very gratifying that Kebede, who has long been a model of the highest rank, should come into her own this way. This is her moment, and it has not arrived by virtue of outsize fabulousness. She is beautiful, professional, and substantial, which makes her not just a model but a role model”. Liya was also invited to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show to further raise awareness.
Other recent features include editorial spreads in American Vogue, Italian Vogue, British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W, PoP and Allure. These shoots have allowed Liya to work with such noted photographers as: Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Raymond Meier, Craig Mcdean, Bruce Weber, Carter Smith, Mikael Janssen, David Simms, Arthur Elgort, Regan Cameron, Michael Thompson, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Klein, Stephane Sednaoui, Nathaniel Goldberg, Terry Tsiolis, Terry Richardson, David Armstrong and Mert & Marcus.
In February of 2003, Liya became the newest face of Esteé Lauder cosmetics – the first woman of color to serve as a representative of its brand’s 59-year history, joining Carolyn Murphy and Elizabeth Hurley as the third member of the model trio. “Liya defines modern beauty,“ says Aerin Lauder. “Her status as an international beauty, runway favorite and designer muse infuses the brand with energy and modernity. Her global appeal connects us with consumers of all ages and cultures in an exciting and unexpected way.”
Due to Liya’s high visibility, she is in constant demand for advertising and has appeared in numerous other campaigns, including the GAP, Yves Saint Laurent, Emmanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Balenciaga, Gianfranco Ferre and Escada. She can currently be seen in Oscar De La Renta’s Spring/Summer 2006 campaign.
Liya has also established herself amongst the ranks of fashion’s elite on the runway circuit walking in shows for such designers as Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenburg, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Catherine Malandrino, Luella Bartley, Bill Blass, Michael Kors, John Varvatos, and Vera Wang. Her big break came when Tom Ford invited Liya to do his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 show, exclusively.
Aside from modeling, acting is another skill that Liya is cultivating. In 2005, she appeared opposite Nicholas Cage, in Lord of War, directed by Andrew Niccol.
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