Naomi Sims, arguably the first black supermodel, has died at the age of 61. According to her son, Bob Findlay, she died of breast cancer.
Naomi Sims appeared as the first black cover model on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in November 1968. After five years of modeling, she went on to design successful collections of wigs and cosmetics for black women under her name.
Naomi Sims was born on March 30, 1948. She became an icon in the "Black is Beautiful" movement ongoing in the 60s and 70s. In fact, that's what drove her away from modeling. She said, "If they use you, it's because you're Black," in the biography posted on her Web site.
The designer Halston told The New York Times in 1974:
“Naomi (Sims) was the first. She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”
Audrey Smaltz was a fashion editor at Ebony magazine when and became Naomi Sims' friend.
"She demanded attention. She would walk into a room and people would come to a stop. People would go, 'Oh, my God, look at that person.' "
Naomi Sims' 1973 marriage to Michael Findlay ended in divorce in 1991. She is survived by her son, Bob Findlay, a granddaughter, and an elder sister, Betty Sims. Her eldest sister, Doris, died in 2008.
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