Throwback Thursday: Naomi Sims

Fashion is littered with Naomis. One that stands out and really set the tone for black models in the U.S. was this lovely lady, Naomi Sims. 

Naomi is often credited with being the first black supermodel, having modeled before that phrase was coined. "Naomi was the first,” designer Halston said in his interview The New York Times in 1974. “She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”

Naomi was born in Oxford, MS on March 30th, 1948. While Sims had a rough start, she soon found great success in fashion modeling. The August 27, 1967 release of Gosta Peterson photos of Naomi propelled her into a very successful career and making her the first black woman on the cover of "Fashion of Times", a style supplement to The New York Times.

Of Naomi, Essence magazine said, “Never had a model so dark-skinned received so much exposure, praise, and professional prestige.”

Her talent and beauty eventually landed her the prestige of becoming the first African American model on covers of Ladies' Home Journal and Life magazine.

She is also credited to have helped usher in the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the '70s. 

By 1973, Naomi retired from modeling and moved on to her own multi-million-dollar wig business. 

Despite her success, Naomi exuded down-to-earth, relatable personality. She said: "To always be aware of your face, your figure, to always have to wonder if your hair and nails are perfect -- it's not healthy. Maybe for a few years. Not for a lifetime." 

Naomi passed on August 1st of 2009 from breast cancer at age 61. Her relatable and positive personality, her social consciousness, and her trail blazing spirit make her this week's Throwback Thursday.