IMAN Cosmetics is designed for women with skin of color who represent many races, cultures and ethnicities with skin tones in a myriad of shades. St.
Iman is Founder and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, a beauty company that created the first cosmetics and skincare collection designed for women with skin of color who represent many races, cultures and ethnicities with skin tones in a myriad of shades. Iman began her career in 1975 as a model and has challenged the prevailing notions of beauty ever since. The daughter of an African diplomat, Iman was born
in Somalia and grew up speaking five languages. She studied political science at Nairobi University where she was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard. Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world, and a muse for fashion designers including Yves. Laurent, Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. During her 14 years as a model, she worked with top photographers Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Annie Liebovitz. Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics and Skincare is designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics and Skincare is sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Africa, and the Caribbean. In addition to running a global beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities, including The Children’s Defense Fund, For All Kids Foundation, and Action Against Hunger. In 2006 Iman became the Global Ambassador for KEEP A CHILD ALIVE: (www.keepachildalive.org). One dollar a day provides lifesaving ARV drugs for African children (and families); the same drugs that have turned AIDS in the West from certain death to a manageable chronic illness, when properly managed. She has conceived and is spearheading a national campaign called I AM AFRICAN to help awareness and raise funds for the AIDS pandemic that is ravaging her homeland. Iman’s first book, entitled I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), was an autobiographical sketchbook of her career that questions “the unserious business of fashion and beauty and its serious affect on identity.” Her second book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR, THE Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Putnam Penguin 2005) is the first beauty and makeup book that truly addresses skin tones across the spectrum: Latina, Black, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Native American, as well as multiple ethnicities. She’s revolutionized the way women with skin of color think about beauty. A mother of two, Iman is married to David Bowie with whom she has a daughter, Alexandria Zahra. Iman’s eldest daughter is Zulekha Haywood.
