| Kiara Kabukuru | |
| Birth Name: | Alice Kabukuru |
| Birth Date: | 31 July 1975 |
| Birth Place: | Kampala, Uganda |
| Haircolor: | Brown |
| Eyecolor: | Brown |
| Occupation: | Model |
| Years Active: | 1991-2000, 2008, 2012-present |
Kiara Kabukuru (born Alice Kabukuru,[1] July 31, 1975) is a Ugandan-born American fashion model.[2] [3] Kabukuru is best known as a CoverGirl model.
Kabukuru was born as Alice Kabukuru in Kampala, Uganda to parents Moses Kabukuru and Erinah Kasabiti as one of four siblings.[4] Although her grandparents emigrated from Rwanda to Uganda in 1920, she identifies as Munyankole.[5] 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.[1]
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.[6] In 2012, she returned to modeling full-time.[7] [1]
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.[8]
Kabukuru has been represented by several of the world's top modeling agencies, including Women Management, Trump Model Management, and Why Not Model Agency,[9] As of February 2011 she is represented by Silent models in New York and Paris.[10] Kabukuru has walked for fashion houses including Dior, Versace, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Balmain.[9] 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.[9]
She was featured in the Pirelli Calendar of 1998 and walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 1999.[11] [12]