Model Moment: Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede is a supermodel with a mission. Born in 1978 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Liya was discovered while in school at the French Lycee by a film director who introduced her to a French modeling agent. When she finished school, Liya moved to France where her career took off.

Liya has been on the covers of Italian, Japanese, French and Spanish Vogue. She's also been featured in ads for Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro and Dolce & Gabbana. She's also walked the runway for Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Gucci, Anna Sui and Zac Posen. In 2003, Liya was named the face of Estee Lauder cosmetics and was the first person of color to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history. In 2007, Liya was the eleventh highest paid top model, according to Forbes.

So she's beautiful, successful... and did I mention she's also a philanthropist? In 2005, Liya was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. She also has her own foundation dedicated to reducing maternal newborn and child mortality and improving the health of mothers and children around the globe. She sounds pretty awesome, right? Here's Liya serving you hot fashion.

Models are Funny When They Fall

Those amazing Fug Girls put together a compilation of the top 5 runway falls which you can check out here. I think this may be just the little pick-me-up you'll need on this rainy New York day...

Model Moment: Du Juan

As I was looking through photos of the Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear shows, I couldn't help but notice that model Du Juan seemed to be everywhere. So far I've spotted her working the runways of Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, 3.1 Phillip Lim, J. Mendel, Badgeley Mischka... and the list goes on. In a sea of blonde, white models, Du Juan truly stands out.

Born in 1987 in Shanghai, China, Du trained at the Shanghai Academy of Dance until she grew too tall to find a partner. She was Miss China in 2003 and made her runway debut in Spring 2006 walking for major designers such as Valentino and Jean-Paul Gaultier. She has been responsible for several "firsts" as an Asian model with such wide appeal. She is the first Asian to be on the cover of French Vogue and she was the cover model of the premier issue of Vogue China. In addition to her runway work, Du has also been featured in ads for Swarovksi, Gap, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent.

Here is Du serving you hot fashion:

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Model Moment: Emanuela de Paula

Emanuela de Paula was discovered on the streets of Pernambuco, Brazil. She was born in 1989 in the small Brazilian port town of Cabo de Santo Agostinho. Emanuela can attribute her stunning, exotic looks to her biracial background; her mother is white and her father is black.

She was booking catalog and runway work in Brazil until Jennifer Lopez cast her in the Fall 2005 Sweetface runway show and brought her to New York City. Since then she has done ads for DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Sephora and Saks Fifth Avenue. She has also walked the runway for Baby Phat, Catherine Malandrino, Bottega Veneta and Diane von Furstenberg.

Here is Emanuela de Paula serving you hot fashion!

Model Moment: Irina Lazareanu

With a face and style that looks a little 1970's rock star and 1960's pixie, Irina Lazareanu is one of the hottest models walking the runway today.

Born in Romania in 1982, Irina shot to top model status through her friendship with Kate Moss. Irina was sent to study ballet in London in her teens and quickly became a part of its underground music scene. She became friends with Pete Doherty (lead singer of Babyshambles) who introduced her to his girlfriend, Kate Moss. Kate handpicked Irina to model for an issue of Vogue: Paris which Kate was guest editing. The rest is history. Irina holds the record for the most runway work in one season and has walked for top brands such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. She was also the model for Kate Moss' Top Shop line.

Here is Irina serving you hot fashion.

Backstage at Fall 2007 Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Fall 2007 Balenciaga

Fall 2007 Christian Dior

Modeling Kate Moss' Top Shop Line

Fashion magazine layout with Jessica Stam

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Model Moment: Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman (full name Chanel Iman Robinson) is one of the most popular models on the runway today. According to the New York Times, "her name is a combination of her mother’s favorite designer and that of a cousin who was named after the model Iman." Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1989, Chanel claims to have wanted to be a model all of her 18 years. She has walked the runways of major designers like Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Proenza Schouler and Valentino and was featured on the May 2007 cover of Vogue as one of "the world's next top models." And no surprise, Chanel's favorite brand is Chanel.

Here's Chanel serving you high fashion.

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2007

Bottega Veneta Fall 2007

Backstage at Spring 2007 Stella McCartney (wearing Chanel, of course!)

Fashion magazine layout

May 2007 cover of Vogue

Model Moment: Lisa Cant

Since celebrities have taken over fashion magazine covers, layouts and beauty and fashion ads, very few models have the opportunity to become household names on the level of a Gisele or Naomi anymore. For this reason, I've decided to start a regular feature profiling some of my favorite, fiercest models. Today's featured model is Lisa Cant.

Born December 28, 1985 in Alberta, Canada, Lisa Cant was discovered at age 14 in an IKEA store in Calgary. She's known for her "baby-doll"-like features and is currently the face of Juicy Couture's new fragrance. Lisa's walked the runway for practically all the heavy hitters including Balenciaga, Burberry, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Anna Sui and Michael Kors.

Here's Lisa serving you high fashion.

Fall 2007 Y&Kei

Fall 2007 Givenchy

Fashion magazine layout (Doesn't this look like an America's Next Top Model challenge? Lisa would have won!)

Fashion magazine layout

Juicy Couture Fragrance Ad