Stunning Ethiopian supermodel, actress, and mother of two, Liya Kebede, has signed on as the newest brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, reports Elle.
"Her strength and courage has inspired us, her beauty has stunned us,” a L’Oreal spokesperson said. “We are thrilled to have Liya Kebede join the L’Oréal Paris family as our new ambassador!”
Since her discovery in Addis Abbaba at age 18, Kebede has worked for all the big names in fashion, and featured in ad campaigns for Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Victoria’s Secret, Emanuel Ungaro, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada and Louis Vuitton.
In 2005, she was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. That same year she made her acting debut with a minor role in Lord of War starring Nicolas Cage.
In 2006, Kebede landed another minor role as Miriam in The Good Shepherd, starring Matt Damon and directed by Robert De Niro, In 2009, Kebede starred in the film adaption of the bestselling autobiography Desert Flower by former supermodel Waris Dirie.
In 2008, Kebede founded Lemlem clothing, which features hand-spun, woven and embroidered clothing for women and children, to help preserve the art of traditional Ethiopian weaving and to offer work opportunities to local artisans.
As an ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, Kebede is in good company, joining Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Laetitia Casta and Ines de la Fressange.