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Liya Kebede

Born: 3 january 1979
Where: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Height: 178 cm
Bust: 82 cm
Waist: 59 cm
Hips: 88 cm

Liya Kebede - Biography

She has been labled by American Vogue as a member of the "New Establishment". Models.com cheered "All Hail Liya!" to her praises. Super-beauty Liya Kebede has become the one to watch.

Liya was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 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.

It all came together when Liya appeared on the cover and in 4 out of 6 editorial stories of French Vogue, photographed by Ines Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, with a headline stating "All About Liya". She has also been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese and Spanish Vogue, V, French, Flair, i-D and Time's Style & Design.

Besides countless fashion editorials for magazines including Italian, American & British Vogue, W, Pop, Visionaire & Harper's Bazaar, 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.

Liya Kebede 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 colored models in today's industry.

Liya Kebede Kebede 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.

Liya Kebede looks forward to using her success as a means to benefit and influence the lives of the people from her homeland in East Africa.

Campaigns: Balenciaga, Escada, Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger, Vidal Sassoon, Yves Saint Laurent

Covers: Vogue, Flair, Harpers & Queen, V Magazine

Shows: Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Atsuro Tayama, Borbonese, DKNY, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sean John, Zanella, Amaya Arzuaga, Anne Klein, Baby Phat, Chaiken, Chloe, Custo Barcelona, D&G, Emilio Pucci, La Perla, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Missoni Retrospective, Moschino, Narciso Rodriguez, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Strenesse, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Zac Posen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui, Balenciaga, Behnaz Sarafpour, Bill Blass, Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Catherine Malandrino, Celine, Chado Ralph Rucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, Costume National, Dsquared2, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Douglas Hannant, Emanuel Ungaro, Fendi, Gianfranco Ferre, Givenchy, Gucci, Hermes, Hussein Chalayan, J Mendel, John Galliano, John Varvatos, Kenneth Cole, Lagerfeld Gallery, Lawrence Steele, Louis Vuitton, Luca Luca, Luella Bartley, Marc Jacobs, Marni, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Michel Klein, Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Rocco Barocco, Roland Mouret, Sportmax, The Heart Truth, Valentino, Vera Wang, Viktor & Rolf, YSL Rive Gauche