IMAN Wins CFDA "Fashion Icon" Award

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Image of Iman Abdulmajad at Barneys luncheon, by Patrick McMullan, courtesy of Alissa Heumann

When this image of Iman wearing one of Victoria Beckham's dresses dropped into my inbox, I jumped at the chance to post it, and my tribute to this extraordinary woman.
IMAN is fashion icon and Victoria Beckham [another personal favorite] is on her way to attaining icon status. It was fitting that IMAN chose to wear a dress from VB's winter 2010 collection, to a luncheon at Barneys to celebrate her CFDA Fashion Icon Award. True, the other Iman, [Chanel Iman] is one of the strongest models in the new generation, but to us "Iman" will always mean Iman Abdulmajad, wife of rock star, David Bowie.

ABOUT - WHY IMAN IS AN ICON
Iman Abdulmajid was recruited as a model in 1975 by American photographer Peter Beard and relocated to the United States. Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976.
Yves Saint-Laurent once said, "My dream woman is Iman." She served as YSL's house model for his African Queen couture collection.

As many "supermodels," Iman has had and continues to have a multi-faceted career. Like fellow Super Cindy Crawford, referred to as "Cindy Inc.," Iman has proven to be a shrewd businesswoman as she continues to branch out in other directions such as film roles, TV appearances on industry related shows, and starting her own company. She's written two books: I Am Iman, an autobiography, and The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color!
Iman's played a shape-shifter named 'Martia' in the 1991 hit film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and appeared in the Oscar-winning film 'Out of Africa', which featured Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, and a Michael Jackson Video directed by Michael Singleton. TV credits include an episode of Bravo's TV show 'Project Runway', and an episode of 'America's Next Top Mode'l as one of the weekly mentors. She’s also hosted 'Project Runway Canada' on the Slice network.
In May 2007 Iman launched IMAN Global Chic on HSN. She is also the CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare & Fragrances, a line that markets its products towards women of color. I'm hard-pressed to think of anything she HASN'T yet done.

THE BUY
You don't have to be a fashion icon to own 'Look 56', a raglan drape skirt dress in black dense rib jersey/wool
twill, but you'll feel like one in it.
To shop Victoria Beckham, visit www.victoriabeckham.com
To shop Iman's collection, visit www.HSN.com