Naomi Ruth Sims, born on March 30, 1948, in Oxford, Mississippi, emerged as a pivotal figure in the fashion industry, widely recognized as one of the first African-American supermodels. Her career, which began in the late 1960s, was marked by significant achievements that challenged racial prejudices and opened doors for future generations of Black models. Sims' influence extended beyond the runway and magazine covers; she became a businesswoman and author,
leaving a lasting legacy in beauty and entrepreneurship before her passing on August 1, 2009, in Newark, New Jersey, at the age of 61.
Early Struggles and Breakthroughs in Modeling
Sims' journey into modeling was not without its challenges. After moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her mother and two sisters, she later attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City on a scholarship, while also taking night classes in psychology at New York University. Her initial attempts to secure modeling work were met with racial prejudice, as some agencies reportedly told her that her skin was too dark. Undeterred, Sims bypassed traditional agencies and directly approached fashion photographers.Her persistence paid off when Gosta Peterson, a photographer for The New York Times, agreed to photograph her. This led to her first major breakthrough: appearing on the cover of the paper's August 1967 fashion supplement. This historic moment marked her entry into the fashion world and set the stage for her groundbreaking career. Despite this initial success, she still faced difficulties finding consistent work.
Paving the Way for Black Models
Recognizing the need for a different approach, Sims connected with Wilhelmina Cooper, a former model who was establishing her own agency. Sims proposed an innovative arrangement: she would send copies of The New York Times supplement featuring her to advertising agencies, attaching Cooper's telephone number, ensuring Cooper's agency would receive a commission for any work she secured. This strategic move proved highly successful, and within a year, Sims was earning an impressive $1,000 a week.Her career gained further momentum with a key breakthrough when she was selected for a national television campaign for AT&T, modeling clothes designed by Bill Blass. This exposure significantly elevated her profile. Sims continued to make history, becoming the first African-American model to appear on the covers of major magazines such as Ladies' Home Journal in November 1968 and Life magazine in October 1969. These covers were monumental, as neither publication had ever featured a Black woman on their front page before. Her photographs were also published in other prominent magazines like McCall's, Essence, and Cosmopolitan, solidifying her status as a top model.
A Legacy of Influence and Entrepreneurship
Naomi Sims' impact on the fashion industry was profound. Her initiatives as a pioneer ensured a place for Black women in modeling, inspiring a generation of models who followed. Fashion editor Marcellous L. Jones noted that without Sims, the careers of other prominent Black models like Beverly Johnson, Bethann Hardison, Pat Cleveland, and Grace Jones might not have been possible. Designer Halston, in 1974, described her as "the first" and "the great ambassador of the Black community," crediting her with breaking social barriers.After retiring from the runway, Sims transitioned into a successful career as a businesswoman and author. She founded her own company, launching lines of cosmetics specifically for Black skin and a popular line of wigs. She also ventured into ready-to-wear fashion. Sims authored several books on beauty and modeling, including "All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman," "How to Be a Top Model," and "All About Success for the Black Woman." She also contributed an advice column for teenage girls in Right On! magazine. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to empowering Black women cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in multiple fields.
