Leah Kebede

Ethiopian supermodel is one of the highest paid workers in the global fashion industry. Leah Kebede shines on the catwalks, on the covers of gloss, in the movies, and she also creates her own clothing collections and is the 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 learn in our article.

Not many natives of Ethiopia manage to achieve at least some significant success in life. And only one in a million can become so successful and famous throughout the world. Leah Kebede is one of the rare lucky ones and minions of fate. True, the girl had to work hard for this.

Leah Kebede was born in Addis Ababa, 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 on school to comprehend this profession. Almost immediately, Kebede began to take part in various fashion shows, where she showed clothes from Ethiopian designers.

After school, Leah continued to receive education in her native Ethiopia, Lycee Guebre Mariam Lyceum. 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.

Having decided that a hobby could become a thing of her life, Leah 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 catwalk appearances were enough to pay attention to Leah: Tom Ford chose the model to participate in the prestigious defile Gucci Fall-Winter 2000/2001.

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

Interest in the creation of children's clothing developed in Leah in the process of motherhood. As the model herself explains, she always loved to select original outfits and create an image for her little daughter. And in the end, she decided to create her own children's clothes.

Like many successful models, Leah Kebede got a chance to try herself in the cinema. The first role was secondary - the appearance in the action movie "The Arms Baron" with the participation of Nicholas 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 the Marsupilas ”(Jamel Debbuz, Alain Shaba);
• 2012 - Capital (Gabriel Byrne, Natasha Rainier);
• 2013 - “The Best Offer” (Jeffrey Rush, Sylvia Hooks, Jim Sturgess);
• 2013 - “Innocence” (Kayleigh Reilly, Sophie Curtis);
• 2013 - “In the Woods” (Terrence Howard, Moby).

The most significant work of Leah Kebede in the movie can be called a role in the film "Desert Flower". This is a film adaptation of a biographical book about the life of a fashion model from Somalia Varis Dirie, which Leah played in this film.

Since 2005, the model has been the Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization. Leah Kebede was even given an unusual title - "supermodel-mom in the mission." The foundation, which was founded by the podium star, is fighting to reduce child and maternal mortality in Leah's native Ethiopia.

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. "No one should be afraid to give birth!" - Leah Kebede said in one of her interviews, and her foundation successfully helps women of her native country in this matter.

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

The couple has two children: son Sukhul (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, a supermodel looks like she is a school graduate. Her figure is still impeccable, as evidenced by the photos of Kebede in a swimsuit, published on social networks last year. And all this despite the fact that Leah is twice mom.

As the model herself admitted, she grew up with the realization that she was not beautiful by traditional Ethiopian standards. They like girls with curvaceous forms, and peers in high school laughed at the lean Leah.

After childbirth, the figure of the model became more feminine. Leah claims that he does not limit himself to food: he allows himself whatever he wants, he simply observes the measure. And the model is fond of playing tennis, which helps her to stay in good shape.

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

The impeccable image of the supermodel is still admirable and is rightly worthy of imitation.

Minimalism and playing on contrasts are two tricks that will never lose their relevance. Leah's outfit is impeccably simple, but this is his highlight. Three shades of yellow: juicy dark for sandals, muted lemon for a jacket, and the third - something between the first and second. The use of leather, satin sheen and translucent fabrics is a very stylish solution. The final touch - a small black clutch - makes the outfit boring.

Another great option for the use of 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 along with Leah Kebede. 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. For all its simplicity, this evening gown to the floor does not seem boring at all: the fabric streams in soft lines, black and white canvases intertwine. Coquettishly open shoulders and the absence of even a hint of a décolleté - such a combination gives rise to a modest image of a fragile girl who needs a strong defender. A great example of a chaste, but bewitching female evening dress from Leah Kebede!

And again a black and white ensemble, but this time Leah shows off an elegant trouser suit. A white blouse made of translucent fabric with a subtle pattern and hidden buttons is complemented by a large neckband in black. A bodice of contrasting color is slightly visible through the blouse. The outfit balances on the verge of permissible decency. The trousers here are selected minimalist, without unnecessary details - the cut is narrowed, 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 for the style of Leah Kebede. And the next image is a wonderful proof of this. Here, a minimum of colors and textures is again presented: deep blue, dark gray, a little black and silver, satin, leather, metal. This short dress with bare shoulders is so simple and at the same time original that it is quite appropriate on the red carpet. Just add to it a luxurious belt with a large silver plaque in the shape of a flower and complete the image with a leather glove with exactly the same decorative element. The shoes are open, 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 worthy of the right to exist. But it is in such a combination that they are better off not appearing. A disastrous element for the image was a scarf. He can stay in this company only in one case - if the bag changes its color. By the way, it can even be replaced with a miniature leather backpack in the tone of shoes or jeans. With such changes, the outfit will become worthy of attention and imitation.

Returning to the successful images from Leah Kebede, it is worth noting that one of her main talents is the ability to create boring dark outfits. In the next photo we see straight trousers with cuffs, a short jacket without fasteners and an elongated top of an unusual cut with a geometric pattern. The final touches here are a miniature clutch bag with a tassel and high-heeled shoes, thick soles, with 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" leads among them. Leah takes this into account, putting on a black jacket, draped over a dress in an identical color floor. The outfit, again, does not look boring, since the perfect surface of the dress in the skirt area goes into pleated pleats, the original belt flaunts at the waist, and the jacket is decorated with satin lapels. And again, as in most spectacular images from Kebede, a miniature clutch closes the composition.

All girls gravitating to stocking boots, but not knowing how to wear them correctly, should pay attention to this supermodel outfit. Here she demonstrates a wonderful option: since such a thing as stocking boots is a very bright element in itself, all other members of the ensemble should be as modest as possible. And Leah picked up the boots themselves in a calm gray palette, which makes them elegant and not vulgar. The dress is chosen so long that there is no gap between the upper line of the boots and the lower hem line, except maybe a tiny one. The dress is unusual due to the non-standard neckline and one piquant cut in the waist area, while the tone is selected very light, but also from gray. And the clutch is white - the color balance is excellent.

Who says gold and silver don't mix? The next dress, chosen by Leah Kebede, proves that these colors can harmonize perfectly. Asymmetric cut, shiny fabrics and some everyday details - leather belt and ankle boots. In this outfit, you can safely go to any holiday, everyone’s attention and envious looks of your rivals are guaranteed!

In conclusion, we bring to your attention some more amazing images from Leah Kebede:

• outfit created by Proenza Schouler,

• dress from Roberto Cavalli,

• suit from Phillip Lim,

• dress from Altuzarra Resort,

• some more black and white images

• luxurious green dress,

• everyday outfits.