Liya Kebede

Model

Born January 3, 1978

Liya Kebede is a model who made her runway debut walking for Ralph Lauren. She has since walked in many shows including Victoria’s Secret and Anna Sui. In 2000, Tom Ford personally chose her for an exclusive contract for his Gucci fall fashion show. Shortly after, she became the face of Yves Saint Laurent and in 2003 made history as the first African American model to sign with Estée Lauder. She has since modeled for many major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Lanvin. Kebede is a favorite among magazines and is often photographed for Vogue, Teen Vogue, and Vanity Fair.