Iman

Iman, born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid in Mogadishu, Somalia, is a Somali-American supermodel, entrepreneur, and advocate. She spent her youth living in Somalia, Egypt, and Kenya, where she attended the University of Nairobi to study political science. In 1975, photographer Peter Beard discovered her in Kenya, prompting her move to New York City to begin a professional modeling career that quickly brought her global acclaim.

During her peak modeling years in the 1970s and 1980s, Iman became one of the most prominent faces in high fashion. She served as a key muse for leading designers, including Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Thierry Mugler, and Donna Karan. Beyond fashion runways, she regularly appeared on the covers of major fashion publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar before retiring from full-time runway modeling in 1989.

Following her modeling career, Iman transitioned into business and launched Iman Cosmetics in 1994, a cosmetics company designed specifically to cater to women of color. The brand became a major commercial success, expanding into home accessories and lifestyle products. In 2010, the Council of Fashion Designers of America recognized her long-standing influence on fashion with the Fashion Icon Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to her commercial ventures, Iman is widely recognized for her philanthropic efforts and advocacy work. She co-founded the Diversity Coalition in 2013 alongside fashion advocate Bethann Hardison to push for equal representation of diverse models in fashion shows and advertising campaigns. She has also supported various humanitarian causes focusing on global hunger, children's welfare, and public health. In her personal life, she was married to musician David Bowie from 1992 until his death in 2016.