Liya Kebede

American Vogue has touted Liya Kebede, as a member of the "New Establishment." Models.com proclaimed "All Hail Liya!" Liya has succeeded in becoming the name on everybody's lips and is definitely a 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. In addition, she has established The Liya Kebede Foundation which has been created to reduce mother and child mortality.

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 Estee 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.

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 and in 2009 starred in the film-adaption of the bestselling autobiography Desert Flower by former supermodel Waris Dirie.

In the summer of 2006 she appeared on the cover of American Vogue accompanied by a feature that highlighted her humanitarian work and in July of 2007 Forbes named Liya eleventh in the list of the World's 15 Top-Earning Supermodels. And in 2010 was named to The 2010 TIME 100, the annual list where TIME magazine names the people who most affected our world.

Liya is founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation whose mission is to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality and to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children around the world.

She currently resides in New York City with her husband, Kassy and children, Suhul & Raee.

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