Liya Kebede

Ph: Steven Meisel | Jones New York F/W 09

agencies
 

biography

Country of origin: Ethiopia

Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Liya moved to Paris at the age of 18. Her modeling career took off as a year later she debuted at the spring Ralph Lauren and BCBG Max Azria shows, and was also personally selected by Tom Ford for an exclusive contract for the Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. She gained still more attention as the entire May 2002 edition of Paris Vogue was dedicated to her. Kebede has been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese, American, French and Spanish Vogue, V, Flair, i-D and Time's Style & Design, and has been featured in ad campaigns including those for Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria's Secret, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada and Louis Vuitton. In 2003, she made history becoming the first ever black model to represent cosmetic company Estee Lauder. She is also an activist, serving as the Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health for the World Health Organization. She has two children with husband Kassy Kebede.

recent updates

Kenzo S/S 10
Kenzo (Advertising)
credits: Model
Chic Mystique
W Magazine (Editorial)
credits: Model
Military Issue
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
Love at First Sight
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
Push It
V Magazine (Editorial)
credits: Model
Elle Italia January 2010 Cover
Elle Italia (Magazine Cover)
credits: Model
Runway
Vogue Italia (Editorial)
credits: Model
H&M Winter 2009
H&M (Advertising)
credits: Model
Strike A Pose
V Magazine (Editorial)
credits: Model
Jones New York F/W 09
Jones New York (Advertising)
credits: Model
in the mood
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
tonight's the night
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
strong suits
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
It Girl Liya Kebede (ph by Hannah Thomso...
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
American Vogue May 2009 Cover
American Vogue (Magazine Cover)
credits: Model
The Godfather
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
A to Z (photos by Josh Olins, styled by ...
Love Magazine (Editorial)
credits: Model
St. John S/S 09
St. John (Advertising)
credits: Model
Desert Fox
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
One Piece Wonders
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
It's A Madcap World
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
St. John Cruise 08
St. John (Advertising)
credits: Model
Tiffany & Co. F/W 08
Tiffany & Co. (Advertising)
credits: Model
Lanvin F/W 08
Lanvin (Advertising)
credits: Model
Vogue Italia July 2008 Liya Cover
Vogue Italia (Magazine Cover)
credits: Model
Modern Luxe
Vogue Italia (Editorial)
credits: Model
From Here to Timbuktu
American Vogue (Editorial)
credits: Model
Powerhouse: IMG
V Magazine (Editorial)
credits: Model
Estee Lauder F/W 07
Estee Lauder (Advertising)
credits: Model

Liya Kebede in the news: