Black History: First Black Supermodel

Naomi Ruth Sims (March 30, 1948 - August 1, 2009) is widely credited as being the first African American supermodel, she was also a businesswoman and author.

Her first career breakthrough in modeling came after she decided to sidestep the agencies and go directly to fashion photographers leading to her getting the cover of the New York Times’ August 1967 fashion supplement. She became one of the first successful black models while still in her teens, and achieved worldwide recognition from the late 1960s into the early 1970s.

By 1972, she was offered the title role in the movie Cleopatra Jones, but when Sims read the script, she was appalled by the racist portrayal of blacks in the movie and turned it down. Sims ultimately decided to go into the beauty business for herself. In 1973, she retired from modeling to start her own business which created a successful wig collection fashioned after the texture of straightened black hair. It eventually expanded "into a multimillion-dollar beauty empire and at least five books on modeling and beauty."

And while not the only black model in the 60’s she did help pave the way for many others.

To read more about Naomi Sims click here!

by @Jetsetting_Ju