Lia Kebede

Ethiopian supermodel is one of the highest paid workers in the global fashion industry. Lia Kebede shines on the catwalks, on glossy covers, in movies, and she also creates her own clothing collections and is a goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organization. As a girl with such unusual beauty won the whole world, what is the secret of her success - you will learn in our article.

Not many natives of Ethiopia manage to achieve at least some significant success in life. And to become so successful and famous all over the world, and they can be alone in a million. Lia Kebede is one of the rare lucky and darling of fate. True, the girl had to work hard for this.

Lia Kebede was born in Addis Ababa, January 3, 1980. In adolescence began her passion for fashion. At the age of 15, Leah entered the model courses, and all her free time spent on learning this profession. Almost immediately Kebede began to take part in various fashion shows, where she demonstrated clothes from Ethiopian designers.

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

Deciding that passion can be a matter of her 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 in two shows: Ralph Lauren and BCBG Max Azria spring-summer 2000. These appearances on the catwalk were enough for Leah to notice: Tom Ford chose a model to participate in the prestigious defile Gucci Fall-Winter 2000/2001.

So the career of Leah Kebede rushed headlong skyward. In 2000, the girl first appeared on the cover of the gloss, it was the July issue of V Magazine. And next year, Kebede worked on all major and major shows: fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York, on the defile of major brands (Balmain, Christian Dior, Givenchy and others). In 2001, Leah Kebede became the face of the Yves Saint Laurent advertising campaign. 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, it has already become one of the highest paid models in the world, according to Forbes magazine (it took 11th place in 2006). At the same time, the author's clothing line from Leah Kebede appeared - outfits for children (from newborns up to 10 years), as well as for teenagers. At the same time, Lia decided to place the production in her native Ethiopia. So the model has provided work for many local seamstresses and weavers.

Interest in the creation of children's clothing has developed in Leah in the process of motherhood. As the model itself explains, she always loved to pick up original outfits and create the image of her little daughter. And in the end I decided to create my own children's clothes.

Like many successful models, Lia Kebede got a chance to try herself in a movie. The first role was minor - the appearance in the action movie “Armory 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 - “False Temptation” (Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon);
• 2009 - “Flower of the Desert” (Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall);
• 2011 - “Black Gold” (Mark Strong, Antonio Banderas);
• 2012 - “The Jungle Name is! In search of Marsupilas ”(Jamel Debbuz, Alain Shaba);
• 2012 - Capital (Gabriel Byrne, Natasha Renier);
• 2013 - “Best Offer” (Geoffrey Rush, Sylvia Hooks, Jim Sturgess);
• 2013 - “Innocence” (Kaylie Reilly, Sophie Curtis);
• 2013 - "In the Woods" (Terrence Howard, Moby).

The most significant work of Leah Kebed in the movie can be called a role in the film “Flower of the Desert” This is a screen version of a biographical book about the life of a model from Somalia Varis Diriye, which Leah played in this film.

Since 2005, the model has been the Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization. Lia Kebede was even given an unusual title - “supermodel-mom in the mission”. The foundation, which founded the star of the catwalks, is fighting to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Ethiopia’s motherland.

When the World Health Organization asked Leah to become the ambassador for motherhood and childhood, the model happily agreed. She realized how close she was to her. “No one should be afraid to give birth!” Lia Kebede said in one of her interviews, and her foundation successfully helps women of her native country in this matter.

Lia Kebede created her family much earlier than her resounding success. The model was married at the dawn of her career; in 2002, Ethiopian financier Kassi Kebeda 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, her husband Kebede is currently divorced.

At 37, she looks like a school graduate. Her figure is still flawless, as evidenced by the photos of Kebeda in a bathing suit, published in social networks last year. And all this despite the fact that Lia is twice a mother.

As the model itself admitted, she grew up with the knowledge that she was not beautiful by traditional Ethiopian standards. They love girls with magnificent forms, and peers in high school laughed at skinny Leah.

After giving birth, the model's figure became more feminine. Lia argues that she does not limit herself in food: she allows herself everything that she wants, she simply observes the measure. And the model is interested in playing tennis, which helps her stay in good shape.

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

The immaculate image of a supermodel is still admirable and deserves to be followed by right.

Minimalism and the game of contrasts - two techniques that will never lose their relevance. Leah’s outfit is immaculately simple, but that’s his zest. Three shades of yellow: juicy dark sandals, muffled lemon for a jacket, and the third - something between the first and second. Using leather, satin gloss and translucent fabrics is a very stylish solution. The final touch - a small black clutch - makes the outfit dull.

Another excellent use of translucent fabrics, but this time we observe the color variety: orange, green, purple, coffee, black. The flower print, which has not been very popular for many seasons, gives this, along with Liya Kebede, a romantic and feminine tone. In this image, the model chose a conservative approach to the combination of handbags and shoes - they are made in classic black.

Yin and yang, black and white - another great option for lovers of minimalism in clothes. This evening dress to the floor with all its simplicity does not seem boring at all: the fabric flows in soft lines, the black and white cloths intertwine.Coquettishly open shoulders and the absence of even a hint of decollete - 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 fascinating evening dress for women from Lia Kebede!

And once again a black and white ensemble, but this time Lia demonstrates an elegant trouser suit. A white blouse made of translucent fabric with a subtle pattern and hidden buttons is complemented by a large black neckband. A bodice of contrasting color is slightly visible through the blouse. The outfit is balancing on the verge of legal decency. The pants here are selected minimalist, without unnecessary details - cut narrowed, zipper 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 Lia Kebede’s style. And the next image is a wonderful proof of that. Here again presents a minimum of colors and textures: deep blue, dark gray, a little black and silver, satin, leather, metal. This short dress with open shoulders is so simple and at the same time original, which is quite appropriate on the red carpet. It is enough to add to it a luxurious belt with a large silver flower-shaped plate and complete the look with a leather glove with exactly the same decorative element. The shoes are open, in themselves rather simple, but they fit very organically into this ensemble. In combination with simple shoes without a heel or sneakers dress is appropriate in everyday life.

Often, the stars show, to put it mildly, unfortunate outfits. Such an attempt to combine the incompatible can be detrimental to the image of any fashionable woman. 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 has become a destructive 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 to match the shoes or jeans. With such changes, the attire will be worthy of attention and imitation.

Returning to the successful images from Lia Kebeda, it is worth noting that one of her main talents is the ability to create dull dark outfits. In the next photo we see straight trousers with cuffs, a short jacket without buckles and an elongated top of an unusual cut with a geometric pattern. The final touches here are a miniature clutch with a brush and high-heeled shoes with a thick sole and an open toe. This is a great option for walking, business meetings and going to the cinema.

Images made in one color, do not cease to be popular and relevant. And "total black" is in the lead among them. Leah takes this into account when dressing in a black jacket, draped over the floor in a dress of identical color. The outfit, again, does not look boring, since the ideal surface of the dress in the skirt area goes into pleated folds, there is an original belt at the waist, and the jacket is decorated with satin cuffs. And again, as in most spectacular images from Kebed, a miniature clutch composition concludes.

All girls who wear stocking boots, but who don’t know how to wear them properly, 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 the other members of the ensemble should be as modest as possible. And Leah herself picked up her boots in a calm gray scale, which makes them elegant, not vulgar. The dress is chosen so long that there is no gap between the top line of the boots and the bottom line of the hem, except maybe a tiny one. The unusual dress is given by a non-standard neckline and one piquant cut in the waist, while the tone is selected very light, but also from a gray scale.And the clutch is white - the color balance here is excellent.

Who said that gold and silver do not match? The following dress, chosen by Leah Kebed, proves that these colors can perfectly harmonize. Asymmetrical cut, shiny fabrics and some everyday details - leather belt and ankle boots. In such a dress you can safely go for any holiday, everyone's attention and the envious glances of your rivals are guaranteed!

In conclusion, we bring to your attention some more delightful images from Lia Kebeda:

• the outfit created by Proenza Schouler

• dress from Roberto Cavalli,

• costume from Phillip Lim,

• dress from Altuzarra Resort,

• some more black and white images

• luxurious green dress

• casual outfits.