Kiara Kabukuru
Kiara Kabukuru | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alice Kabukuru 31 July 1975 |
| Occupation | Model |
| Years active | 1991-2000, 2008, 2012-present |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency |
|
Kiara Kabukuru (born Alice Kabukuru,[2] July 31, 1975) is a Ugandan-born American fashion model.[3][4] Kabukuru is best known as a CoverGirl model.
Personal life
[edit]Kabukuru was born as Alice Kabukuru in Kampala, Uganda to parents Moses Kabukuru and Erinah Kasabiti as one of four siblings.[5] Although her grandparents emigrated from Rwanda to Uganda in 1920, she identifies as Munyankole.[6] With the aid of Amnesty International and United Way, Kabukuru and her family emigrated to California when she was a child due to political unrest in their native country. Kabukuru was discovered by photographer Bill Bodwell in a Los Angeles shopping center when she was 16. She adopted the name Kiara at the suggestion of her then-agent at Ford Models.[2]
In 2000, Kabukuru was involved in an accident while riding her bicycle in New York City when an 18-wheel truck collided with her. She required intensive facial reconstructive surgery and physical therapy. Kabukuru made a brief return to modeling in 2008 when she appeared in the All Black issue of Vogue Italia.[7] In 2012, she returned to modeling full-time.[8][2]
Kabukuru is a long-time close friend of model Gisele Bündchen, whom she credits with helping her return to modeling. Kabukuru is the godmother of Bündchen's son Benjamin.[9]
Career
[edit]Kabukuru has been represented by several of the world's top modeling agencies, including Women Management, Trump Model Management, and Why Not Model Agency,[10] As of February 2011 she is represented by Silent models in New York and Paris.[11] Kabukuru has walked for fashion houses including Dior, Versace, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Balmain.[10] Her most notable editorial work includes covers for Vogue (Spain and United States) and Amica Italy. She has posed for advertising campaigns by Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, L'Oréal, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and most famously CoverGirl cosmetics.[10]
She was featured in the Pirelli Calendar of 1998 and walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 1999.[12][13]
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Kiara Kabukuru - Model".
- ^ a b c Lustig, Jessica (March 2013). "Back in the Picture". W Magazine. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "Kiara!". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "PHOTO: Gisele Turns Reporter For The New CR Fashion Book". HuffPost. 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "Kiara Kabukuru". www.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ Magazine, Ladybrille (2009-09-07). "Kiara Kabukuru, Ugandan American Supermodel". Ladybrille® Magazine. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "Spotlight On: Kiara Kabukuru". www.vogue.it. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ "Top Nineties Model Kiara Kabukuru Makes A Comeback After Near-fatal Car Accident Destroyed Her Career 12 Years Ago". www.huffingtonpost.ca. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ "Kiara Kabukuru". www.modafamilia.com. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ a b c Kiara Kabukuru at Fashion Model Directory
- ^ Silent New York
- ^ Uwumarogie, Victoria (2016-12-05). "All The Black Models Who've Walked In A Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Since 1995". MadameNoire. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "Kiara Kabukuru On Her Major Fashion Comeback, And Close Friend Gisele Bundchen". SatisFashion Uganda. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2019-06-01.