THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994 TAG: 9407210767
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH MONROE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
THE SCENE WAS familiar somehow. A court in a mall. A long line waiting to take two steps up, a few words in private, two steps down.
Of course: It must be a visit to Santa. . .
This time, however, it was a visit with Iman - Somali-born supermodel, sometime movie actress, ex-wife of Spencer Haywood, the present Mrs. David Bowie and now a would-be cosmetics queen. For her fans, it was Christmas in July.
Hundreds jammed a court outside J.C. Penney at Military Circle Center Mall on Tuesday afternoon to catch a glimpse. The line formed hours in advance, snaking down the mall, past Piccadilly Cafeteria almost to the barber shop.
The goal: an autographed photo and a word or two from Iman. A dais was rigged up with an oriental carpet, a Queen Anne desk, an executive swivel chair, a vase of white lilies and a photo of Iman's face, 8-feet-high.
Finally, she strode into view with that famous runway walk. She was greeted with gasps and screams. She granted her idolatorsidolaters a brief thousand-watt smile, said not a syllable, settled into the chair, composed her long legs photogenically and commenced autographing.
Iman, who retired from modeling five years ago, has never had a major movie role and is pushing 40, but still has enough charisma to turn out and turn on a crowd. Her copper-colored hair cascaded in ringlets. Her face retains a matte finish that appears buffed to inhuman perfection.
She looked marvelous.
Her cosmetics line - modestly called Iman - is being sold in 200 Penney stores and on QVC. It's designed for women of color, but the crowd that gathered for her appearance and free makeovers was more diverse than that. First in line, for instance, was a woman of Celtic coloring - a freckled redhead whose interest was not in Iman's cosmetics but her brush with the cosmos. Deborah Robinson is a trekkie who sought out Iman because of her role in ``Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.'' Star Trek T-shirts could be seen, scattered throughout the crowd.
Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Lyons, who aspires to a modeling career, appeared awe-stricken. ``Iman is incredible,'' Jennifer said.
Especially when you consider the woman's schedule. The model had been up since 4 a.m., had already appeared at several autograph sessions in Washington, D.C., and was scheduled to fly on to Atlanta after Hampton Roads. ``If I'd been up since 4,'' Jennifer said, ``I wouldn't look that good.''
But that's what it means to be a supermodel. In addition to models-to-be, Iman attracted a small crowd of photographers - amateur, freelance and professional. They came toting elaborate gear, relishing the chance to aim a lens in her direction.
And then there were many like Linda Mundy of Chesapeake who brought along her 8-year-old twins dolled up in striped dresses, one raspberry, the other blueberry.
``I've been waiting since 12:30,'' Mundy said. ``And I'm going for a makeover at 4:30. I've been a fan a long time. I knew her from modeling and then from that Michael Jackson video - ``Remember the Time.'' And she's married to David Bowie. I like him, too. It was a good thrill to meet her.'' The twins clutched their autographed photos and said they'd be taking them to school.
Back in Penney's cosmetics department, more than 150 women were awaiting makeovers with Iman cosmetics. Byron Barnes, who was her personal makeup artist during Iman's modeling career and is now creative director for her cosmetics company, was helping paint one face after another.
Charles Revson, the creator of Revlon once said: ``In the factory, we manufacture cosmetics. In the stores, we sell hope.'' Iman was offering that, but also the fun of a brush with glamor and mystery. Wishes and dreams.
And Santa should look so good. ILLUSTRATION: color photo by C. BAXTER JOHNSON
Iman, who appeared at Military Circle on tuesday, is starting her
own cosmetics line.
by CNB