One of the world’s first Black supermodels, Naomi Sims, passed away August 3, 2009, after a battle with cancer. She was 61. Sims personified the term “Black is beautiful,” while breaking racial barriers both on the runway and as businesswoman. Before Sims, no dark-skinned model had ever received so much exposure, praise, and professional prestige. I have never heard of Naomi Sims (I say I'm always learning something new about the wonderful world of fashion) but from what I'm learning about her she was really succesful in her day especially as a dark skin model when blacks weren't even accepted like that in the fashion world. She was a fashion role model. “When she put on a garment, something just marvelous happened,” said fashion designer Halston, one of the first major fashion houses to hire Sims. In 1986, Naomi Sims Beauty Products was established and featured cosmetics for Black women. Sims’s also manufactured and sold wigs—her line became a competitor amongst top industry brands. By 1989 her brand grossed 5 million dollars! In 1976, her first book, “All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman,” was published with three more books to follow, including “How to Be a Top Model,” “All About Hair Care for the Black Woman,” and “All About Success for the Black Woman.” “I would be nowhere if it weren’t for Black women,” said Sims in the African American Business Leaders. You will be truly missed Naomi Sims!Source: essence.com
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