Remembering Naomi Sims

“It’s ‘in’ to use me,and maybe some people do it when they don’t really like me. But even if they are prejudiced, they have to be tactful if they want a good picture"

March 30, 1948-August 1, 2009

One of the pioneers in modeling for African-American women and coined as "The First Black Super Model" Naomi Sims was not your average model. Born in Oxford, Mississippi, Sims moved to Pennsylvani where she attended high school. Life in school wasn't easy for Sims, she was an outcast due to her height, but we know her as one of the most beautiful African-American women to ever hit the runway.

Sims became one of the first successful black models while in her teens achieving worldwide recognition. The peak of career was from the late 60s to early 70s. She has appeared on the covers of magaziens such as Life and Cosmopolitan.

Later in her career, Sims decided to get into the beauty business. Many hair stylist and makeup artist were not familiar with working with darker skintones and a different texture hair, so Sims would be her own makeup artist and stylist. She created her own line of wigs which

generated $5 million.

Naomi Sims has written many books on modeling, health, and beauty All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman, How to Be a Top Model, and All About Success for the Black Woman. Ms. Sims died of from cancer, she was 61.

Gone, but shall never be forgotten. Thank you Ms. Sims for paving the way for the Naomi Campbells, Tyra Banks, Chanel Imans, Jourdan Dunns, and so forth. May the African-American super models of today do great things and continue the legacy you created

~Nique