Iman: the supermodel’s birthday

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid celebrates her 69th birthday. Born on July 25 in a Somali family, her father was a former ambassador. Iman spent her childhood with her brothers in Egypt and Kenya and earned a political science degree in Nairobi.

It might seem like a perfect picture, but Iman had to balance her studies with two jobs to support her family. She needed $8,000 to fully cover her university expenses. And then one day, everything changed…

On a street in Nairobi, Iman was stopped by Peter Beard, a famous American photographer. He offered to take her portrait. Without hesitation, Iman asked how much she would be paid. “How much do you want?” Peter responded. She answered with the crucial figure of $8,000.

The photos were taken, though whether she received the exact amount remains a mystery to this day. These photographs became life-changing, leading to a spectacular career. Iman moved to New York, where Beard introduced her to the world of modeling. A year after the move, in 1976, Iman appeared on her first Vogue cover.

Stories circulated about her discovery in the jungles, and rumors claimed she couldn’t speak English. Sometimes, she pretended not to understand the language to hear opinions about herself. In reality, Iman is fluent in five languages. She never wore heels or used makeup.

She faced significant challenges, with her appearance and education offering little help against racism. These difficulties became a catalyst for her fight for equal rights in the industry for girls of diverse backgrounds.

Iman’s success was swift. She became a muse for Gianni Versace, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Thierry Mugler, and Yves Saint Laurent. Iman even inspired collections: Yves Saint Laurent’s 1980 African Queen was influenced by her story.

Iman epitomized the fashion of the 70s and 80s. Romance, extravagance, and glamour were reflected in her lifestyle. She would dance until dawn and then rush to a photoshoot or runway show.

«Modeling doesn’t prepare a girl for adulthood. You simply find yourself young with a lot of money».

Over time, her drive to be the leading it-girl and party-goer vanished. She shifted towards activism, fighting racial prejudices. Black models rarely appeared in shows and were paid less for runway and photoshoot work.

In the early 2000s, Iman helped Annie Leibovitz gather sixteen black supermodels from different generations for a historic portrait. This move paid homage to times when more than one black model was rarely cast in shows.

At one point, Iman decided to launch her own cosmetics brand. For years, she had to mix her own foundation and bring it to shoots because her shade wasn’t available. Another massive success!

«When they used a mix of makeshift products to do my makeup and I saw my face looking unusually gray in print, I realized I had to take matters into my own hands. My beauty is my currency. If they don’t know how to showcase it properly, no one can explain it better than I can».

The issue of racial inequality resurfaced in 2013. This time, Iman, along with Naomi Campbell and booker Bethann Hardison, launched the Balance Diversity campaign. It aimed to remind designers about racial balance. Together, they sent letters to fashion houses urging them to hire more non-European models.

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid was married to British rock musician David Bowie. She avoids the limelight and rarely makes public appearances. In 2019, Iman was awarded the Franca Sozzani Award for her contributions to the industry and her fight against racial inequality on the runway.