Conversation 25

Mr. and Mrs. David Jones.

IMAN Global Chic 3-piece Chiffon Cardigan with Tank & Pant Set
847-647

Available in five colors.

IMAN Global Chic Ruffle Sleeve Open Front Cardigan
849-441

IMAN Global Chic Sweater Knit Poncho with Tie Front
849-464

IMAN Global Chic Sleeveless Georgette Hi-Low Drama Tunic
865-187

IMAN Global Chic 2-piece Runway Jersey Knit Tank & Crop Pant Set
861-422

Available in six colors.

IMAN Global Chic Solid Knit Peplum Topper
867-543

Available in six colors.

IMAN Global Chic Cap-Sleeve Draped Detail Dress
864-444

HSN TS

Available in six colors.

HSN Iman

HSN IMAN

Iman, the Icon
The supermodel, businesswoman, and activist in conversation with Precious Lee, Aurora James, and Keke Palmer.

What makes an icon? Is it a lengthy resumé filled with achievements and awards? Iman has that. Known first as a supermodel, she served for more than a decade as muse for designers including Thierry Mugler, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, and more; she’s authored a memoir and a beauty manual; acted in more than 20 projects; in 2021, she launched her first fragrance, Love Memoir, which is available on HSN, as is her clothing line, Global Chic.

Or is it that icon status achieved through volume of fans and followers? Iman has countless imitators (“It really touches your heart,” Iman says when asked by Keke Palmer what it’s like to see herself in other performers. “I have a lot of guys say, ‘I learned how to walk from you’”). She also has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, her account peppered with aphorisms ranging from the poignant (“Do not exchange your dignity for popularity”) to the playful (“Normalize bringing dogs as a plus one”), delivered as though royal decree in color-blocked, all-caps text.

No, at its heart, being an icon is about impact. Iman is the Global Advocate for humanitarian organization CARE, which works to eradicate poverty and empower women and girls. She is an activist, using her fame and platform to bring attention to causes that matter to her, like the hardships refugees face or the lack of equality in the beauty and fashion space. She does this both by actively speaking out and by simply standing up for herself. But perhaps her most influential accomplishment is that she has helped women see themselves—in the pages of magazines and, through her groundbreaking beauty company, Iman Cosmetics, on store shelves.

As Iman recounted for each of our interviewers for this cover story, the idea for Iman Cosmetics—the first makeup collection specifically for all “women with skin of color”—was sparked during her very first modeling job, a photoshoot for Vogue in 1976: When she arrived on set, the makeup artist asked her if she brought her own foundation; when Iman said no, the makeup artist mixed-and-matched what shades he had. “I looked, literally, gray,” Iman recalls today. “I still say the gods of beauty were looking after me, because the photographs were black and white—that hides all sins.” Otherwise, she believes, her career would have been short-lived. “My image is my currency, so I better have control of that,” she remembers thinking. Iman went shopping, buying any product that had a pigment close to her skin tone. She combined them herself and took Polaroids to see how the makeup would translate on film. From then on, she brought that self-made batch to every gig.

She launched her company 30 years ago with 16 foundation shades. “The idea was, at that time, ahead of its time,” she says. Blazing a trail is, for an icon like Iman, though, standard operating procedure. Here, she looks back on the influence she’s had and ahead to what change she might still impart through conversations with three women—model Precious Lee; designer and Fifteen Precent pledge founder Aurora James; and actress and television host Keke Palmer—who are, in their own ways, carrying her torch.

Good Morning Peeps and welcome to our wonderful Community on this Saturday. 😎🎈