Iman (model)

Iman
Born	Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid (1955-07-25) July 25, 1955 Mogadishu, Somalia
Occupation(s)	Model, actress, businesswoman
Years active	1976–present
Known for	Modeling, cosmetics brand founder, philanthropy
Notable work	Out of Africa, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Iman Cosmetics

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (; born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid on 25 July 1955), widely known simply as Iman, is a Somali-American model and actress. Celebrated as a muse by designers including Gianni Versace, Thierry Mugler, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Yves Saint Laurent, she is equally noted for her charitable contributions. Iman was married to the musician David Bowie from 1992 until his passing in 2016.

Early life

Iman was born in Mogadishu and raised in the Muslim faith. Originally named Zara, her grandfather suggested changing her name to Iman, which means "faith" in Arabic, believing a masculine name would bring good fortune. She is the daughter of Mariam and Mohamed Abdulmajid; her father served as Somalia’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, while her mother practiced as a gynecologist. Among five siblings, Iman was the first female born in six generations on her father’s side.

Her formative years were largely spent at a boarding school in Egypt, followed by time living with her grandparents. Due to political instability in Somalia, her family moved to Kenya, where she briefly enrolled in political science studies at the University of Nairobi in 1975 before embarking on a modeling career.

Modeling

While attending university, American photographer Peter Beard discovered Iman Mohamed, prompting her relocation to the United States to pursue modeling professionally. Her debut assignment was for Vogue in 1976. She rapidly rose to supermodel status, gracing the covers of leading international fashion magazines.

Distinguished by her unique features and copper complexion, Iman became an inspiration for influential designers such as Halston, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, and Donna Karan. Yves Saint Laurent famously described her as his "dream woman". Her portfolio includes collaborations with esteemed photographers like Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Annie Leibovitz.

Iman attributes these creative partnerships with fostering her self-assurance during an era that celebrated individuality within fashion. She is currently represented by TESS Management based in London.

Business

After nearly twenty years in modeling, Iman founded her cosmetics brand in 1994, focusing on providing shades that were difficult to find for women of color. Drawing from her hands-on experience with custom blending, she played an active role in product development and served as the brand’s public face. By 2010, annual revenues for Iman Cosmetics reached $25 million. In 2012, Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim of Mataano were appointed as brand ambassadors.

In late 2021, she launched her signature perfume titled "Love Memoir," presented in an amber bottle inspired by sunsets and spiritual stone rituals symbolizing guidance and healing.

Iman also explored television opportunities, making appearances on shows such as Miami Vice, The Cosby Show, and In the Heat of the Night. During the mid-2000s, she hosted Bravo TV’s Project Runway Canada for two seasons and co-hosted the second season of The Fashion Show in 2010 alongside designer Isaac Mizrahi.

Her filmography includes roles in the 1979 British production The Human Factor, the Academy Award-winning Out of Africa (1985), as well as appearances in No Way Out and Surrender (both released in 1987). In Hollywood, she featured in Lies of the Twins, portrayed a shape-shifting alien in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, starred opposite then-fiancé David Bowie in The Linguini Incident, and took part in House Party 2 (1991) and Exit to Eden (1994).

Video games

In the 1999 3D adventure title Omikron: The Nomad Soul, created by Quantic Dream for Windows 9x and Dreamcast platforms, Iman Mohamed made a brief appearance alongside her spouse David Bowie. She is featured as one of the Omikronian inhabitants into whom players have the option to "reincarnate."

Philanthropy

While overseeing her international beauty enterprise, Iman Mohamed dedicates significant effort to charitable causes. Since September 2019, she has held the position of CARE's inaugural Global Advocate, championing its goal to eradicate poverty and enhance dignity and safety on a global scale. Additionally, she acts as a representative for the Keep a Child Alive initiative and maintains a close partnership with the Children's Defense Fund. Her role as an Ambassador for Save the Children involves promoting their humanitarian initiatives in East Africa. Iman also collaborates with the Enough Project to halt the worldwide commerce of conflict minerals and notably terminated her association with diamond giant De Beers due to ethical objections concerning blood diamonds.

Awards

Iman Mohamed's career in modeling and philanthropy has been recognized with multiple accolades. On 7 June 2010, she was honored with a Fashion Icon lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), celebrating individuals whose distinctive style leaves a lasting impact on fashion. The award was presented by actress and former model Isabella Rossellini. Dressed in a Giambattista Valli gown complemented by diamond bracelets, Iman expressed gratitude to her parents for "giving me a neck longer than any other girl on any go see anywhere in the world."

Personal life

A practicing Muslim, Iman Mohamed attributes her faith as a source of strength during challenging periods. She is proficient in five languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, French, and English, and acquired American citizenship in her twenties.

Her first marriage occurred at age 18 to Hassan, a Somali businessman and executive within Hilton hotels. This union concluded when she relocated to the United States to advance her modeling career. In 1977, she was involved romantically with actor Warren Beatty before marrying professional basketball player Spencer Haywood, with whom she had a daughter, Zulekha Haywood, born in 1978. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987.

In 1990, Iman encountered English musician David Bowie through a blind date arranged by an acquaintance. Bowie dedicated his 1991 instrumental track "Abdulmajid" to her, which was later transformed into a symphonic work by Philip Glass. The couple wed on 24 April 1992 in Switzerland and held a subsequent ceremony in Florence on 6 June. Their daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, was born in 2000. Iman also became stepmother to Bowie's son Duncan Jones. The family primarily resided in Manhattan and London. Following Bowie's passing in 2016, she commemorated him by reflecting on their shared struggles and her faith.

Bibliography

• I Am Iman (2001)
• The Beauty of Color (2005)

Filmography

Acting credits in film and television

Title	Year	Role
The Human Factor	1979	Sarah
Exposed	1983	Model
"Do What You Do" music video	1984	Jermaine Jackson's love interest
Miami Vice	1985	Dakotah
The Cosby Show	1985	Mrs. Montgomery
Out of Africa	1985	Mariammo
No Way Out	1987	Nina
Surrender	1987	Hedy
In the Heat of the Night	1988	Marie Babineaux
Miami Vice	1988	Lois Blyth
227	1990	Eartha Kitten
House Party 2	1991	Sheila Landreaux
Lies of the Twins	1991	Cat/Elie
L.A. Story	1991	Cynthia
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country	1991	Martia
The Linguini Incident	1991	Dali Guest
"Remember the Time" music video (Michael Jackson)	1992	Queen Nefertiti
Heart of Darkness	1994	Jungle bride
Exit to Eden	1994	Nina
Project Runway Canada	2007, 2009	Self
The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection	2010	Self

External links

• Iman – official site
• Iman Cosmetics