Supermodel and entrepreneur Iman is this year’s CFDA Fashion Icon Award honoree. The Somali beauty received the news from designer/CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg and is absolutely floored by the news. Since being discovered by renowned photographer Peter Beard in 1975 while studying at Nairobi University, she’s walked the runways for everyone including YVES SAINT LAURENT, THIERRY MUGLER, HALSTON & JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. She then retired from the runway in 1989 and since then the 54 year old model turned mogul has launched a cosmetics line, her own signature line, will launch a fragrance next month and will also host The Fashion Show with Isaac Mizrahi.



The secret to her success?



“One reason I have lasted this long is I’ve never been overexposed and overstayed my welcome. If I went to fashion shows, people would think, ‘Oh, poor thing.’ That air of mystery is my revenge.”






SOURCE: WWD