British Harpers Bazaar May 2008 cover featuring Liya Kebde
It was announced this week that supermodel Liya Kebede was tapped to play Somalian model Waris Dirie in Desert Flower, a film based on Dirie's successful autobiography about her tragic experience with female circumcision. Kebede is slated to begin filming in Europe in June.
Kebede has also added a fifth job to her growing list of many roles: childrenswear designer. The model/activist/ambassador/actress launched a beautiful line of children's clothing that is handmade in her native Ethiopia this season called Lemlem. The Estee Lauder model (the only woman of color in its 59 year history to be one) employed local weavers to do the embroidery and handweaving to improve economic conditions there. Kebede held a launch party recently for the fall line (its second season) which was attended by the likes of model/tv host Veronica Webb and Showtime's Weeds star Mary Louise Parker among others.
.
Kebede with her daughter Raee wearing Lemlem
Pictured here are shots of Kebede with her gorgeous daughter, 2 year-old Raee in photos taken for the February 2008 issue of Cookie magazine. The coverstars were shot in Turks & Caicos with Raee's modeling debut posing in items from Lemlem, which means "to bloom" in Amharic. A natural star, the dimpled beauty is also the line's fit model. Check out Little Miss Thing striking a fierce pose in the blue striped dress. Is she ready to follow in her mother's footsteps or what? Lemlem is available at Barneys New York, Scoop Kids, Calypso Christiane Celle, all in New York City and online at Sons + Daughters. You can preview the line at www.lemlem.com and check out other fierce pics of Liya at her website at www.liyakebede.com.
1. Blessed in the name of the Most High Selassie the First for the beauty of Liya. She is truly an Ethiopian in her spirit and soul. I am glad that she has begun to branch out into acting and designing. She defintely will leave her mark on the world with her unique designs. Bless her and her daughter. Selah.
Gala Esat at 3:32PM on Apr 30th 2008