Iman Abdulmajid & How She Made History.
When hearing the term “supermodel” what typically comes to the mind? Perhaps the 90’s era of the Christy Turlingtons, Cindy Crawfords, Naomi Campbells, etc. How is it, we don’t ever think of Iman Abdulmajid, the first east African supermodel, responsible for annihilating racial barriers which plagued both the fashion and cosmetic industries? With her notable contributions as not only a model, and businesswoman, but activist, refugee, and advocate for racial equality, Iman Abdulmajid is unequivocally one, if not then the most significant figure of the modeling world. Firstly, let’s deep dive into the background of the Somali supermodel.
Early Life
Initially born Zara Mohammed Abdulmajid on July 25th, 1955 in the remote town of Mogadishu, Somalia, Abdulmajid, being the first girl born in her family’s six generations of sons was brought into a family which would go onto consist of four siblings including two brothers as well as two sisters, a father who was a diplomat, and a mother who was a gynecologist. Believing that she would prosper if given a masculine name, the young girl once known as Zara would later be renamed Iman at her grandfather’s urging. During her formative years, Iman lived with her grandparents before being sent off to boarding school in Egypt at the age of four, where she would spend her adolescence.
Life As A Refugee/Early Career
As political unrest befell in her home country of Somalia, while Iman’s father would later return to the country, she and her family were ordered to move to Kenya, where she momentarily majored in political science at the university of Nairobi, upon being discovered by American photographer, Peter Beard. Subsequently, Iman would then move to the states to pursue a modeling career in 1975.
Career As A Supermodel/Racial Barriers
Often ascribed to her long neck, slim frame, and dainty features, Iman’s success was instantaneous as a year later in 1976, she would establish her position as a model, covering Vogue magazine. Thereupon, Iman’s face would appear on numerous issues of the most reputable fashion publications, further solidifying her supermodel status. For the duration of the 1980s, Iman would proceed to walk runway shows for some of the most prestigious fashion houses, such as Halston, Versace, Donna Karan, and Yves Saint Laurent who once described her as his “dream woman”, also working with legendary photographers like Anne Leibovitz, Irving Penn, and not to mention, was the highest paid model for four years in a row during that time. Additionally, she would make a deal with Revlon cosmetics, becoming the first black woman to attain an exclusive contract with a cosmetic brand. In 1992, she would be featured as Nefertiti in Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” the first cinematic piece to depict ancient Egyptians utilizing black actors.
First Racially Inclusive Cosmetics Line
As of result of an incident which occurred in the early days of Iman’s modeling career, where a makeup artist had failed to provide a foundation her shade, two years later Iman would launch her own self titled line of cosmetics branded “Iman Cosmetics”, which was the first makeup line in history to cater to all races of people, particularly people of color, this would set as the precedent for racially inclusive beauty brands we have now, such as Fenty Beauty by Rihanna.
Return to Somalia
Despite being whisked away into the glitz and glamor of the beauty and fashion industries, Iman has never forgotten her roots, and responsibilities as a public figure. 20 years after she fled political persecution, Iman would return to Somalia followed by the BBC to documentate the calamity which struck Somalia, and actively worked with U.S. president Bill Clinton to raise awareness to those suffering.
CARE
Although Iman’s compassion didn’t solely stop there, she also sympathized with those who were actively affected by the AIDS virus, becoming the first global ambassador for the emergency relief organization CARE, supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS alongside husband, David Bowie.
Black Girls’ Coalition
Iman would then carry on to found “The Black Girls’ Coalition” in 2013, alongside fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell, and long time friend and activist Bethann Hardison in response to the alarmingly increasing lack of diversity within the modeling industry.
Closing
All in all, it can be generally stated that Iman Abdulmajid is one of the most significant supermodels and historical figures of our time, and deserves to be acknowledged more in the conversation of supermodels.
