60's Model Icon, Naomi Sims Dies At 61

The modeling and fashion community has lost a true legend. Fashion pioneer and It-Girl of the late 60's Naomi Sims passed away Saturday from cancer as reported by the New York Times. She literally paved the way for black models at a time when racial tensions were at an all time high and was actually considered "the first black supermodel". In the November 1968 issue of Ladies Home Journal, she made her much talked about debut on the cover, which was a remarkable feat for the simple fact that African-American models were just not being recognized as "beautiful" or "worthy" enough for such an honor. She overcame an unstable and unhappy childhood by defying the odds, and changed her fate by moving to New York City in the 1966 to pursue her love for fashion. She managed to obtain a scholarship and her goal was to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. But then through encouragement of friends and classmates she decided to seek and conquer the modeling world. She was rejected by several agencies due to her dark skin tone, but she persevered and eventually proved to be an invaluable asset to most of the top designers of that era including Halston, Fernando Sanchez, and Giorgio Sant'Angelo. She made history again when she graced the covers of both LIFE magazine in 1969 and the 1967 New York Times fashion magazine. Both are currently on display in the Metropolitan Museum's "The Model As Muse" exhibit. Her modeling career was fairly brief and she turned her attention to another area of expertise - entrepreneurship. After years of doing her own hair and make-up for photo shoots because none of the studio assistants were versatile enough to style a non-caucasian woman, she noticed there was a short supply of fashion wigs for black women. This essentially led to successful her multi-million dollar wig making business that she ultimately became famously known for because she designed her wigs specifically for women of color. But she will also be remembered for her fearlessness and her refusal to accept the fact that she was incapable of being on top simply because of her skin color. She was also an author and some of her books included, "How To Be A Top Model" and "All About Success For The Black woman". She was a remarkable role model for young African-American women and is the epitome of what means to truly accept who and what you are without reservations. Hopefully that mentality will make a comeback for the upcoming generation.