Honoring The First Black Supermodel

By admin
Aug 20, 2009
3:30 pm

Naomi Ruth Sims (March 30, 1948–August 1, 2009)

The late Naomi Sims was the first black supermodel
and the poster child for the ‘60s Black is Beautiful movement. With her
cocoa skin and ethereal grace, the 5-foot-10 Sims was poetry in motion.
The pioneering cover model became a household name in 1968 when she
graced the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal,and LIFE magazine the following year. Sims paved the road for today’s supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks.

Sims
had more to offer the world than just a beautiful set of legs gracing a
catwalk. She was an entrepreneur and a writer who studied at the
Fashion Institute of Technology on a scholarship and took night classes
at New York University. After five years in the business, she retired
from modeling and started a wig business. Sims later expanded to
perfume and cosmetics, and formed the Naomi Sims Collection.

During her lifetime, Sims was honored with the following awards: Model
of the Year Award, 1969, 1970; Women of Achievement, Ladies Home Journal,
1970; New York City Board of Education Award, 1970; Key to Cleveland,
1971; Women of Achievement, American Cancer Society, 1972;
International Best Dressed List, 1971–73, 1976, 1977; Modeling Hall of
Fame, International Mannequins, 1977.

Sims’ 1969 cover of LIFE and a 1967 New York Times fashion magazine cover are currently on display in the Metropolitan Museum’s “The Model As Muse” exhibit. –yvette caslin