Iman

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, known professionally as Iman, is a Somali-born fashion model and entrepreneur. Following a prominent international modeling career, she founded IMAN Cosmetics in 1994 to address the limited range of makeup shades available to women of color.

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About Iman

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Somalia / United States · Fashion model, Entrepreneur · 1 affiliation

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Known for: Fashion modeling; Beauty entrepreneurship; Advocacy concerning HIV/AIDS, women and girls, and children in resource-limited settings
Country: Somalia / United States

Fashion model
Entrepreneur

At a glance

Iman established an international modeling career that included runway work and appearances in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
She founded IMAN Cosmetics in 1994, developing the brand in response to limited makeup options for women of color.
She received the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Icon Award in 2010.
Her public advocacy has addressed HIV/AIDS, women and girls, and children in resource-limited settings; CARE named her its first-ever Global Advocate in 2019.

Somali background and education

Iman was born in Somalia in 1955. She was studying at the University of Nairobi when photographer Peter Beard discovered her in 1975; a Gordon Parks Foundation biographical note identifies her field of study as political science.

International modeling career

Her modeling career included runway work and appearances in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. A Gordon Parks Foundation biographical note records her first Vogue assignment in 1976, while a Carnegie Corporation profile reports that she retired from modeling in 1989. The CFDA recognized her with its Fashion Icon Award in 2010.

Beauty and fashion entrepreneurship

Iman founded IMAN Cosmetics in 1994 after encountering limited makeup options and difficulty finding suitable shades for women of color. She also created the Global Chic clothing line for the Home Shopping Network. The available evidence establishes these ventures historically but does not confirm the cosmetics company's current ownership, operating status, or her present executive responsibilities.

Advocacy and later public work

Iman's advocacy has concerned HIV/AIDS, women and girls, and children in resource-limited settings. CARE named her its first-ever Global Advocate in November 2019, although the reviewed evidence does not establish whether that formal appointment remains current. In 2022, she served as an executive producer of the six-part documentary series Supreme Models.

Affiliations

IMAN Cosmetics Founder 1994

Timeline

1975 Began her modeling career after photographer Peter Beard discovered her while she was studying in Nairobi.
1976 Completed her first modeling assignment for Vogue.
1989 Carnegie Corporation of New York's biographical profile reports that she retired from modeling.
1994 Founded IMAN Cosmetics.
2010 Received the CFDA Fashion Icon Award.
2019-11 CARE named her its first-ever Global Advocate.
2022 Served as an executive producer on the six-part documentary series Supreme Models.

Additional verified details

Biographical facts

Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid was born in Somalia in 1955.
She was studying at the University of Nairobi when she was discovered by a photographer; a Gordon Parks Foundation biographical note identifies her field of study as political science.
Her modeling career included runway work and appearances in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar; a Gordon Parks Foundation biographical note records her first Vogue modeling assignment in 1976.
IMAN Cosmetics was developed to address limited makeup options and difficult-to-find shades for women of color.
She created the Global Chic clothing line for the Home Shopping Network.