Iman attends the Love Ball in aid of the Naked Heart Foundation and Al Shafallah at Museum of Islamic Art on March 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images
Iman Abdulmajid, a Somali native, who had never seen a fashion magazine, took the modelling world by storm when she arrived in New York City back in 1975.
The legendary model, who turns 65 on July 25, worked with notable lensmen such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton, and inspired designers like the late Yves Saint Laurent to create and dedicate entire collections around her beauty, charisma and personality. Plus, she graced the covers and pages of top fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
For a woman of colour, such achievements were groundbreaking in the fashion world at the time.
Iman — who, like other legendary models such as Twiggy, became known by just a single name — would later start her own cosmetics line, IMAN cosmetics, and marry rock star David Bowie, who passed away in 2016.
In a 2015 interview with style.com to mark her 60th birthday, Iman mused that, “Everything happens out of your own experience. And, let me tell you, a lot is happening to me now. I can never be 20 or 30 (again) and I wouldn’t want to be. I’m almost 60 and I would love to change the way people view 60.”
“Philosophically? Not giving a damn. Physically? Taking care of your skin. I swear by the SK-II 3D mask. Even if you’re tired or have a fever of 104, if you put this on you’ll look like you just stepped off a plane from Ibiza.”
Henson also asked Iman about how her style has changed over time.
“I’ve always lived by the philosophy that in a world full of trends, I want to remain a classic,” Iman said. “True style is like a great black-and-white picture: It never looks dated.”
So with that in mind — and to celebrate legendary model’s 65th birthday — we’re looking at some of our favourite Iman looks from over the years.
Somalian supermodel Iman, wearing long earrings and a white dress, 1994. Photo: Terry O’Neill/Getty Images
Portrait of Somali-born American fashion model Iman, dressed in red ruffled, strapless top, as she poses against a white background, New York, New York, 1981. Photo: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images
NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Model Iman attends the Cartier And Interview Magazine “Celebrate Love” party at the Cartier Mansion June 8, 2006 in New York City. Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images
NEW YORK – MAY 20: Model Iman attends The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity Award Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria, May 20, 2007 in New York City. Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
NEW YORK – JUNE 04: Model Iman attends the 25th Anniversary of the Annual CFDA Fashion Awards held at the New York Public Library on June 4, 2007 in New York City. Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images for CFDA
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: Iman attends a pre-party celebration for New York’s Night of Stars’ honorees Howard Socol and Alber Elbaz hosted by herself and Barneys on October 24, 2007 in New York City. Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Model Iman attends amfAR’s New York City Gala to Kick Off Fall 2010 Fashion Week at Cipriani 42nd Street on February 10, 2010 in New York City. Photo: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic
NEW YORK – JUNE 07: Iman attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 7, 2010 in New York City. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Iman wearing a DeBeers diamond necklace during 2003 Cannes Film Festival – Cinema Against Aids 2003 to benefit amfAR sponsored by Miramax – Arrivals at Le Moulin de Mougin in Cannes, France. Photo: J. Vespa/WireImage
Iman wearing a De Beers diamond necklace during amfAR Benefit Evening Honoring Richard Gere, Lorne Michaels and Anna Wintour – Party at Cipriani’s, 42nd Street in New York, NY, United States. Photo: J. Vespa/WireImage
Iman during 5th Annual Tribeca Film Festival – Vanity Fair Party – Arrivals at New York State Supreme Court in New York City, New York, United States. Photo: Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic
Iman during 2005 CFDA Fashion Awards – Arrivals at The New York Public Library in New York City, New York, United States. Photo: Robin Platzer/FilmMagic
UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 01: Iman and David Bowie Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
De Beers announces partnership with Iman, acclaimed supermodel and business woman at the 55th Cannes Film Festival. Iman’s woven Aubergine leather choker is studded with 15 Princess Cut Diamonds set in white gold total weight is 7.5 carats. The matching leather cuff bracelet is studded with 9 Princess Cut Diamonds. Photo: J. Vespa/WireImage
Iman during The Film Society of Lincoln Center Honors Susan Sarandon at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, New York, United States. Photo: Bill Davila/FilmMagic
Iman during 42nd Annual Writers Guild of America Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: Iman attends 2013 Couture Council Fashion Visionary Awards at David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center on September 4, 2013 in New York City. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Model Iman attends the 17th annual ACE Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 4, 2013 in New York City. Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Model Iman attends “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” screening hosted by U2, Anna Wintour, Bob and Harvey Weinstein with Burberry at Ziegfeld Theater on November 25, 2013 in New York City. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 07: Iman attends a special screening of Relativity Studio’s “Desert Dancer” after party at Baccarat Hotel on April 7, 2015 in New York City. Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 02: Iman attends the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage
A version of this article, titled “Supermodel Style: Iman,” was published on EverythingZoomer.com on July 30, 2015 in honour of Iman’s 60th birthday.
