Today on Edwina LaShan Fashion Blog, We pay tribute to Our Style Icon, Fashion Icon, Super Model, Entrepreneur, and Actress Iman!
First and Foremost... Let's learn a little about Our Icon...
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid was born July 25, 1955, professionally known as Iman (which means "faith" in Arabic), is a Somali fashion model, actress and entrepreneur. A pioneer in the field of ethnic cosmetics, she is also noted for her charitable work. She is married to David Bowie.
Iman attended High School in Egypt, graduated and went to college. While in College Iman was discovered by American photographer Peter Beard, and subsequently moved to the United States to begin a modeling career.
Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue a year later in 1976. She soon landed some of the most prestigious magazine covers, establishing herself as a supermodel.
With her long neck, tall stature, slender figure, fine features, copper-toned skin, and exotic accent, Iman was an instant success in the fashion world, though she herself insists that her looks are merely or typically Somali.
She became a fashion muse for many prominent designers, including Halston, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Donna Karan, and, in particular, Yves Saint-Laurent.
During her 14 years as a high fashion model, Iman also worked with many notable photographers, including Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Annie Leibovitz.
She is signed to TESS Management in London. Iman credits the nurturing she received from various designers with having given her the confidence to succeed in an era when individuality was valued and model-muses were often an integral part of the creative process.
After almost two decades of modeling, Iman started her own cosmetics firm in 1994, focusing on difficult-to-find shades for ethnic women. Based on her years of experience mixing her own formulations for make-up artists to use on her, she had a personal hand in the final product and also acted as the commercial face of the company.
As of 2010, Iman Cosmetics is a $25-million-a-year business. It is centered on $14.99 foundations in 4 formulations and 14 shades, and is among the top-selling foundation brands on Walgreens' website.
In Spring 2012, Iman signed fellow Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, founders of the Mataano fashion company, as brand ambassadors for her cosmetics line.
What we love most about Iman's style is her ability to pay homage to her ancestry. She is known to rock beautiful, bold, rich, earthly tones, such as golds, reds, yellows, oranges, browns, and purples. Tones fit for an African Queen! When Iman hits the scene she is sure to turn heads! Her presence alone, demands attention!
Known for her ability to bring the spirits of African Queens alive! No one could play the role of an African Queen quite as well as Iman!
Iman brought to life Queen Nefetiti in the World Famous Michael Jackson video "Remember The Times" alongside Eddie Murphy!
Her glow, beauty, strong features, and piercing eyes brought the African Queen back to time!
Fork Earrings??? Who else could rock such a statement jewelry and make it HOT other than Iman!
Iman alongside The King himself!!!
Fashion Friends!!! Iman with friends Naomi Campbell, and Grace Jones!
Naomi Campbell and Iman!
Fashion Model Friends Bethan Hardison, Iman and Naomi Campbell!
Whether it was modeling or selling interior designs, Iman makes any product she touches rich! Beautiful in blue!
