Iman (model)

Iman (model)
Name	Iman
Birth name	Zahirah Hassan
Birth date	1955-07-25
Birth place	Mogadishu, Somali Republic
Occupation	Model, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1976–present
Spouse	Spencer Haywood (m. 1977; div. 1987), David Bowie (m. 1992–2016)
Children	Zulekha Haywood

Iman (model)

Iman is a Somali-born fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur who rose to international prominence during the late 20th century. She became a prominent figure in the fashion industries of New York City, Paris, and Milan, collaborated with leading designers and photographers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, and Richard Avedon, and founded a cosmetics company focused on women of color. Her work spans modeling, film, business, and philanthropy, intersecting with cultural institutions and humanitarian organizations.

Early life and education

Iman was born Zahirah Hassan in Mogadishu, in the former Somali Republic, into an ethnic Somali family. Her early childhood unfolded within the sociopolitical context of post-colonial Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. In her teens she attended East Africa-regional schools before traveling to Cairo, where she studied at a local high school and later moved to Nairobi, connecting with expatriate communities and regional cultural circles. During this period she encountered diplomats, writers, and photographers from cities such as London, Rome, and New York City, which led to introductions into the international fashion network.

Modeling career

Iman began modeling professionally after being discovered by a photographer while living in Nairobi. Early work led to assignments in Paris and Milan, where she worked with haute couture houses including Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, and Giorgio Armani. On magazine covers and editorial spreads she collaborated with photographers and creative directors associated with outlets like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, and appeared in campaigns alongside brands such as Revlon, Estée Lauder, and Versace. Her distinctive look and stature positioned her among contemporaries including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Tatjana Patitz during the 1980s and 1990s.

Iman's runway presence extended to fashion weeks in Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week, where she engaged with designers such as Calvin Klein, Gianni Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karan, and Christian Dior. Photographers like Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, and Peter Lindbergh shot editorials that helped redefine representation of Black models in high fashion. Iman also appeared in advertising for luxury labels and department stores rooted in London and Tokyo, contributing to a broader visibility for models of African descent.

Acting and business ventures

Beyond modeling, Iman pursued acting roles in Hollywood and international cinema, appearing in films and television productions alongside actors such as James Earl Jones and directors associated with studios like Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures. She has been credited in projects that leveraged her public profile to bridge fashion and film industries.

Iman founded Iman Cosmetics, a company aimed at developing foundations, concealers, and cosmetics specifically formulated for diverse skin tones. The brand strategy included collaborations with retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Sephora, and engaged product development informed by feedback from makeup artists who had worked with celebrities like Lupita Nyong'o, Rihanna, and Beyoncé Knowles. Her entrepreneurial activities also encompassed licensing deals, branded fragrance launches, and partnerships with beauty conglomerates operating in Los Angeles and Paris.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Iman has been active in humanitarian causes connected to Somalia and broader African relief initiatives, working with non-governmental organizations and international agencies such as UNICEF and World Food Programme on awareness and fundraising campaigns. She has supported programs addressing famine relief, refugee assistance, and women's health, collaborating with public figures and institutions like Amnesty International, The Elders, and philanthropic foundations associated with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Bono.

In addition to emergency relief, Iman has advocated for cultural preservation and education through partnerships with museums and cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and university-led programs at Harvard University and Columbia University that emphasize African art and diaspora studies. She has donated to scholarship funds and served as a speaker at conferences focused on entrepreneurship and representation in industries connected to New York University and The New School.

Personal life

Iman's personal relationships have been public: she married Spencer Haywood, a professional basketball player, in the late 1970s; they had a daughter, Zulekha Haywood. In 1992 she married musician and cultural icon David Bowie; they remained married until his death in 2016. Iman has maintained residences in New York City and Los Angeles, and she participates in cultural life across London, Paris, and Milan. Her family life and collaborations have intersected with artists, athletes, and business executives including figures from NBA circles and the international music community around Bowie.

Legacy and influence

Iman's legacy includes transforming perceptions of beauty and broadening representation in fashion, influencing subsequent generations of models and entrepreneurs such as Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Beyoncé Knowles, Rihanna, and Lupita Nyong'o. Her cosmetics company is cited in business case studies and entrepreneurship curricula at institutions like Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School as an example of niche market strategy and brand building. Museums, fashion houses, and media outlets reference her contributions in exhibitions and retrospectives alongside designers and photographers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Richard Avedon, and Helmut Newton.

Culturally, Iman helped normalize the presence of African aesthetics in global fashion capitals and inspired philanthropic engagement among celebrities, linking celebrity entrepreneurship with humanitarian advocacy in contexts including Somalia relief efforts and diaspora cultural initiatives. Her influence persists in contemporary debates about diversity in modeling, beauty industry reform, and the commercial viability of inclusive product lines.

Category:Somali models Category:1955 births Category:Living people