Liya Kebede

The Ethiopian supermodel is one of the highest paid workers in the global fashion industry. Liya Kebede shines on the catwalks, on glossy covers, in films, and she also creates her own clothing collections and is a Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization. How a girl with such non-standard beauty conquered the whole world, what is the secret of her success - you will find out in our article.

Not many Ethiopian natives manage to achieve any significant success in life. And one in a million can become so successful and famous all over the world. Liya Kebede is one of the rare lucky women and darlings of fate. True, the girl had to work hard for this.

Liya Kebede was born in Addis Ababa on January 3, 1980. As a teenager, her passion for fashion began. At the age of 15, Leah entered modeling courses, and spent all her free time from school on comprehending this profession. Almost immediately, Kebede began to take part in various fashion shows, where she demonstrated clothes from Ethiopian designers.

After school, Leah continued her education in her native Ethiopia, at the Lycee Guebre Mariam. There, a fateful acquaintance happened to her: by the will of fate, Leah met a French agent who volunteered to help the girl conquer the fashion industry of Paris and all of France.

Deciding that her hobby could become the work of her whole life, Lia Kebede accepted the offer, and as soon as she turned 18, she went to Paris. A year after the move, in 1999, Kebede made her debut as a model at two shows: Ralph Lauren and BCBG Max Azria spring-summer 2000. These catwalk appearances were enough to draw attention to Leah: Tom Ford chose the model to participate in the prestigious fashion show Gucci Fall-Winter 2000/2001.

So the career of Liya Kebede quickly rushed upward. In 2000, the girl first appeared on the cover of a glossy magazine, it was the July issue of V Magazine. And the very next year, Kebede worked at all important and large shows: fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York, at fashion shows of major brands (Balmain, Christian Dior, Givenchy and others). In 2001, Liya Kebede became the face of the Yves Saint Laurent advertising campaign. And a year later, Leah joined the ranks of Victoria's Secret angels.

In 2007, Leah and her family moved to New York. At this point, she has already become one of the highest paid models in the world according to Forbes magazine (she took 11th place there in 2006). At the same time, an author's line of clothes from Liya Kebede appeared - outfits for children (from newborns to 10 years old), as well as for adolescents. At the same time, Leah decided to locate production in her native Ethiopia. So the model provided jobs for many local seamstresses and weavers.

Leah developed an interest in creating baby clothes during the process of motherhood. As the model herself explains, she has always loved to choose original outfits and create an image for her little daughter. And in the end I decided to create my own children's clothes.

Like many successful models, Liya Kebede got a chance to try herself in cinema. The first role was secondary - an appearance in the action movie "The Gun Baron" with the participation of Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke. Kebede's filmography includes about a dozen works in which the model appeared along with world movie stars:

• 2006 - "The False Temptation" (Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon);
• 2009 - "Desert Flower" (Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall);
• 2011 - Black Gold (Mark Strong, Antonio Banderas);
• 2012 - “The Jungle is Calling! In Search of Marsupils ”(Jamel Debbouz, Alain Shaba);
• 2012 - Capital (Gabriel Byrne, Natasha Rainier);
• 2013 - Best Offer (Geoffrey Rush, Sylvia Hooks, Jim Sturgess);
• 2013 - Innocence (Kaylee Reilly, Sophie Curtis);
• 2013 - Into the Woods (Terrence Howard, Moby).

The most significant work of Liya Kebede in cinema can be called the role in the film "Desert Flower". This is a screen version of a biographical book about the life of a Somali model Varis Dirie, played by Leah in this film.

Since 2005, the model has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization. Liya Kebede was even given an unusual title - “supermodel-mom on a mission”. The foundation, founded by the runway star, is fighting to reduce child and maternal mortality in Leah's hometown of Ethiopia.

When the World Health Organization asked Leah to become the Ambassador for Motherhood and Childhood, the model happily agreed. She realized how close it was to her. "Nobody should be afraid to give birth!" - said Lia Kebede in one of her interviews, and her foundation is successfully helping women in her native country in this matter.

Liya Kebede started her family much earlier than she came to resounding success. The model got married at the dawn of her career, in 2002 the Ethiopian financier Kassi Kebede became her husband.

The couple have two children: son Suhul (2001) and daughter Rae (2005). Leah tries not to advertise her personal life, rarely appears in public with her family. According to some reports, Kebede is currently divorced from her husband.

At 37, the supermodel looks like she's a high school graduate. Her figure is still flawless, as evidenced by photos of Kebeda in a swimsuit, published on social networks last year. And all this despite the fact that Leah is twice a mother.

As the model herself admitted, she grew up with the knowledge that she was not a beauty by traditional Ethiopian standards. They love curvy girls, and peers in high school laughed at the skinny Leah.

After giving birth, the model's figure became more feminine. Leah claims that she does not limit herself in food: she allows herself whatever she wants, she just observes the measure. And the model is also fond of playing tennis, which helps her stay in good shape.

10 years ago, in 2007, Vanity Fair magazine named Leah as a very stylishly dressed celebrity.

The supermodel's impeccable image is still admired and rightfully worthy of imitation.

Minimalism and play on contrasts are two techniques that will never lose their relevance. Leah's outfit is immaculately simple, but that is what makes it really special. Three shades of yellow: a juicy dark for sandals, a muted lemon for a jacket, and the third is something between the first and the second. The use of leather, satin sheen and translucent fabrics is a very stylish solution. The finishing touch - a small black clutch - makes the outfit fun.

Another great option for using translucent fabrics, but this time we observe a variety of colors: orange, green, purple, coffee, black. The floral print, which has not ceased to be very popular for many seasons, sets a romantic and feminine tone for this alongside Liya Kebede. In this look, the model chose a conservative approach to the combination of a handbag and shoes - they are made in classic black.

Yin and yang, black and white is another great option for lovers of minimalism in clothes. This floor-length evening dress, for all its simplicity, does not seem boring at all: the fabric flows in soft lines, black and white canvases intertwine. Flirty open shoulders and the absence of even a hint of a neckline - this combination gives rise to a modest image of a fragile girl in need of a strong protector. A perfect example of a chaste but mesmerizing female evening dress from Liya Kebede!

Again, the black and white ensemble, but this time Leah shows off an elegant pantsuit. A white blouse made of translucent fabric with a subtle pattern and hidden buttons, complemented by a large black neck bow. A bodice in a contrasting color is slightly visible through the blouse. The outfit balances on the brink of permissible decency. The trousers here are selected minimalistic, without unnecessary details - the cut is tapered, the zipper is hidden. Open black shoes complete the composition. This image can be called quite universal, since it can be appropriate both in the office and in an informal setting, for example, on a date.

The versatility of outfits is a very characteristic feature of Liya Kebede's style. And the next image is an excellent proof of this. Here again a minimum of colors and textures is presented: deep blue, dark gray, a little black and silver, satin, leather, metal. This off-the-shoulder short dress is so simple and original at the same time that it is quite appropriate on the red carpet. It is enough to add to it a luxurious belt with a large silver plate in the shape of a flower and complete the look with a leather glove with exactly the same decorative element. Open shoes, in themselves quite simple, but very organically fit into this ensemble. In combination with simple flat shoes or sneakers, the dress is appropriate in everyday life.

Often, stars show, to put it mildly, unsuccessful outfits. Such an attempt to combine the incompatible can be detrimental to the image of any fashionista. By themselves, the things presented in this hodgepodge are quite worthy of the right to exist. But it is in such a combination that it is better for them not to appear. The scarf became a ruinous element for the image. He can stay in this company only in one case - if the bag changes its color. By the way, it can be completely replaced with a miniature leather backpack matching shoes or jeans. With such changes, the outfit will become worthy of attention and imitation.

Returning to the successful looks from Liya Kebede, it is worth noting that one of her main talents is the ability to create fun dark outfits. In the next photo we see straight trousers with cuffs, a short jacket without fasteners and an elongated top with an unusual cut with a geometric pattern. The finishing touches here are a miniature tassel clutch and high-heeled shoes with thick soles and open toes. This is a great option for walking, business meetings and going to the cinema.

Images made in one color never cease to be popular and relevant. And "total black" is leading among them. Leah takes this into account by donning a black jacket over a floor-length dress of the same color. The outfit, again, does not look boring, since the perfect smoothness of the dress in the area of ​​the skirt turns into pleated folds, an original belt flaunts at the waist, and the jacket is decorated with satin cuffs. And again, as in most of the spectacular images from Kebede, a miniature clutch concludes the composition.

All girls who gravitate towards stocking boots, but do not know how to wear them correctly, should pay attention to this supermodel outfit. Here she demonstrates an excellent option: since such a thing as boots-stockings in itself is a very bright element, all other members of the ensemble should be as modest as possible. And Leah herself picked up the boots in a calm gray tones, which makes them elegant, not vulgar. The dress is chosen so long that there is no gap, except perhaps a tiny one, between the top line of the boots and the bottom line of the hem. The unusual cut of the neckline and one piquant cut in the waist area give the dress an unusual appearance, while the tone is very light, but also from a gray scale. And the clutch is white - the color balance is excellent here.

Who said gold and silver don't go together? The following dress, chosen by Lia Kebede, proves that these colors can be in perfect harmony. Asymmetric cut, shiny fabrics and a bit of everyday details - a leather belt and ankle boots. In such an outfit, you can safely go to any holiday, everyone's attention and the envious glances of your rivals are guaranteed to you!

In conclusion, we bring to your attention some more delightful images from Liya Kebede:

• an outfit designed by Proenza Schouler,

• dress from Roberto Cavalli,

• suit from Phillip Lim,

• dress from Altuzarra Resort,

• some more black and white images,

• luxurious green dress,

• casual outfits.