In 2008 casting agent James Scully, who is responsible to pick which model is to score a spot on top runways, says in regards to Kebede: An all-time eternal favorite for me - she's an exotic Grace Kelly. In July 2007, earning at an estimated total of $2.5 million in the past 12 months, Forbes named her eleventh in the list of the World's 15 Top-Earning Supermodels. At this time in Kebede's career, she was ranked #1 on. Her contract was rumored to be worth $3 million dollars. In 2003, she was named the newest face of Estée Lauder cosmetics, the only Ethiopian to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history. Kebede has been featured in ad campaigns including those for Shiatzy Chen, Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria's Secret, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada and Louis Vuitton. Kebede has been seen on the covers of Italian, Japanese, American, French and Spanish Vogue, V, Flair, i-D and Time's Style & Design. Her popularity in the fashion industry skyrocketed when she appeared on the cover of the May 2002 edition of Paris Vogue, which dedicated the entire issue to her. Kebede's big break came when Tom Ford asked her for an exclusive contract for his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. She has remarked that the modeling industry in Ethiopia is quite different from the catwalks on which she is now ubiquitous because in Ethiopia she had to provide her own shoes for each runway show. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a Parisian agency. A film director spotted her while she was attending Lycee Guebre Mariam and introduced her to a French modeling agent. Kebede was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since 2005, Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. According to Forbes, Kebede was the eleventh-highest-paid top model in the world in 2007. Kebede is an internationally supermodel, designer, maternal health advocate and recognized actress, who has appeared three times on the cover of US Vogue. The ads were shot by Mert and Marcus, showing models wearing the iconic white Lacoste polo shirts worn over fancy black eveningwear. In 2011, Kebede was among the models featured in Lacoste's 'new look' campaign in January, a different advertising concept for the year, under the new tagline, “Unconventional Chic”. Kebede has also had minor roles in two films: The Good Shepherd and Lord of War. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received a standing ovation. The film recounts Dirie's childhood in Somalia, her rise to stardom and subsequent awareness campaign against female circumcision. In 2009, Kebede starred in the film-adaption of the bestselling autobiography Desert Flower by former supermodel Waris Dirie. Models work for years to develop the poise, grace, and style that she came to the business already equipped with! It still shocks me that I sometimes have to sell her to a client, but every time she walks in the room, she always proves me right. In 2008 casting agent James Scully, who is responsible to pick which model is to score a spot on top runways, says in regards to Kebede:Īn all-time eternal favorite for me - she's an exotic Grace Kelly.

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