Dena Cali

Dena Cali is a fashion model-turned-entrepreneur based in the Los Angeles area and named for her childhood hometown, Pasadena, California. Cali is the youngest of three children, with one brother and a sister. Before retiring, her mother was a social worker and her father, a civil engineer. Cali comes from African, Chinese, Swedish, and Norwegian heritage.

Dena Cali graduated with honors from La Salle High School in Sierra Madre, California. At La Salle, Cali played varsity basketball and was team captain. She was also voted MVP and helped lead the team to an all-league title. Her first job after high school was working at a shoe store in the Pasadena mall, and her second job was at a local yogurt shop. She also attended Pasadena City College for a year before starting her career as a model.

Career

Cali is a model, actor, businesswoman, and former recording artist. To date, her biggest entrepreneurial pursuit includes a line of hair extensions and wigs sold worldwide under the "Dena Cali" name. Cali is also the founder and chief executive officer of the Foundation for Living Beauty--a non-profit organization providing emotional support to women living with cancer and cancer survivors.

Modeling

Dena Cali began her modeling career as a teen when a photographer “discovered” her working at a frozen yogurt shop. At 5-feet and 10-inches tall, Cali has worked for designers such as Carolina Herrera, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Roberto Cavali, Lanvin, and Prada.

Film and television

In her first major role on-screen, Dena Cali appeared as Desiree, opposite Eddie Griffin and Master P, in the motion picture "Foolish". Cali has appeared on several prime time television shows including "Entourage" and ‘‘Girlfriends.’’ She also plays P. Diddy's love interest in the video "Last Night", featuring Keyshia Cole, and Usher's love interest in the music video for "Moving Mountains". In 2008, Cali also hosted online episodes of cable television’s "E! News Now."

As a popular commercial actor, Dena Cali is an official spokesmodel for Coca-Cola’s Fanta soft drinks. She has appeared in dozens of national television commercials for retail stores such as Ross, JC Penney, and Burdine’s, as well as big-name companies like Nikon and Nokia. Cali also has acted in commercials for consumer products such as Clean & Clear, Mercedes, Sprite, Reebok, Lee Jeans, Behr Paint, Axe Deodorant, Budweiser Select, and more.

Business

Hair products

In 2002, Dena Cali launched the Dena Cali hair collection featuring synthetic and human-hair wigs and hair pieces. This international business venture has made Dena Cali well-known among professionals in the beauty industry. The Dena Cali brand has been one of the top-selling brands of human and synthetic hair products for women of color in the United States. The brand is also popular in the UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Ireland, Canada, South America, Mexico, and British Columbia.

Cosmetics

Dena Cali has developed a cosmetics line called "Dena Cali Beauty", which she will launch late in 2008. Also in development under the Dena Cali Beauty umbrella are mineral makeup and fragrance lines.

Philanthropic Efforts

Foundation for Living Beauty

In 2005 Dena Cali founded a charitable organization, the Foundation for Living Beauty. The Foundation for Living Beauty is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to its mission of "helping women regain their senses of femininity, self-worth, beauty, and emotional stability after coping with the taxing affects of cancer and chemotherapy". Cali started the foundation after many women with cancer, including some family members, expressed thanks to her for supplying them with wigs while they underwent cancer treatments.

Activities and services of the foundation include but are not limited to education, support groups, wellness retreats, social events, beauty makeovers, alternative hair solutions, uplifting workshops, and other activities. By offering support and innovative solutions to the inner and outer beauty challenges that women living with cancer and cancer survivors face, the foundation is able to realize this mission. Dena Cali is the founder and chair of the board of directors for the foundation.

External links

* [http://www.denacali.com Official site]