When we talk about “swoon” worthy couples, it doesn’t get any hotter than Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid and David Robert Jones. Both Iman and David Bowie have had successful careers in their own right, but when this beautiful couple married in 1992, they became a trail blazing power couple. Bowie is a Grammy award winning musical icon, who is respected for his distinctive voice, unique fashion sense and intellect. The name Iman means “faith” in Arabic, and that is just what this iconic Somali model gives to the world. In 1994, Iman became the first woman of color to launch a skin-care and makeup brand for women of color with Iman Cosmetics. In addition to running a global beauty empire, Iman is also a humanitarian. She works closely with several AIDS and human rights charities and she is a spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive program. Their love story is one for the ages.
How They Met
Iman and David were previously married before meeting each other. In 1975, Iman married a fellow Somalian while living in Kenya. Their marriage ended when Iman moved to the US to pursue a modeling career. In 1977, Iman married NBA star Spencer Haywood and she gave birth to her first child, daughter Zulekha Haywood. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1986. David Bowie has a son, Duncan Zowie Jones, from a previous marriage.
In the late 80s, Iman attended some of David’s concerts, and they met briefly in passing. However, they were not properly introduced until October 1990, when their mutual hairdresser, Teddy Antolin invited them to dinner. Bowie fell in love instantly. In an interview he recalled, “I was naming the children the night we met … it was absolutely immediate.” However, Iman was reluctant to a date a rock star. In an interview she shared, “I did not want to get involved with a rock star. No way. It is not a sane thing to do, but David changed my mind. He wooed me.” Shortly after their first meeting, Iman traveled to Paris. When she arrived at her hotel room, it was filled with her favorite flower, gardenias, with a card from David. When she returned to Los Angeles, David was there waiting for her at the airport. Iman was sold. In an interview with NyMag Iman recalled, “His actions spoke louder [than words]. […] the doors open to the plane, and I come out and I see all these people taking a picture of somebody. And he was standing there, flowers in hand, no security. That was when I knew. He didn’t care if anyone saw.”
The Proposal
To win Iman for life, David took her on a private cruise along the Seine River in Paris. He had a chef prepare a delicious gourmet dinner and afterward a pianist played while he serenaded Iman. He proposed to her under the Pont Neuf bridge while singing his version of Doris Day’s “April in Paris.”
Their Wedding and Marriage
In April 1992, Iman married David in a private civil ceremony in Switzerland. In June 1992, the couple celebrated their marriage in style with a church ceremony in Florence, Italy one of their favorite vacation spots. David’s son Ducan, was the best man. For her entrance, Iman ditched the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” and came down the aisle to a Bulgarian folk song called “Kalimankou Denkou” or “The Evening Gathering.” Bowie composed the other music that was played during the ceremony. Only 68 people were at the wedding. Iman wore a Herve Leger gown and David wore a black Thierry Mugler Suit. Both designers were at the wedding, and other famous guests included Yoko Ono and Bono. Their reception was held at the Villa LA Massa hotel, a sixteenth century Medici mansion.
In 2000, Iman gave birth to their daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones. The couple keeps their daughter away from the spotlight. Iman explained in an interview, “There are no pictures of me working as a model at home, because home is home – the office has that. She didn’t even know for a long time I was a model, she only knew I had a cosmetics company. It’s the same with her father. When we walk outside, she sees how people react, but at home he’s just dad to her. But nobody has lied about their past. It’s an open book. If she wants to discuss it, it will be discussed.”
The couple has been married for 21 years! How do they make it work? In an interview Iman reflected, “’The secrets to a happy marriage are, you have to talk to each other all the time and the other one is have fun together. You have to really like the person and enjoy their company too. […] we are never apart. We have dates, you know – we’ll go to a museum, then we’ll have a long lunch. That’s what’s interesting, that’s what’s exciting.”
Timeless Words of Love
David’s love for Iman is heartwarming. In an interview he shared, “I’m enormously proud of Iman. She made broad strokes when she came to America, and opened doors for women of color. […] You would think that a rockstar being married to a supermodel would be one of the greatest things in the world. It is.” : ) Iman feels just as strongly. She said this about David in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper’s Style Magazine: ”First, you fancy each other – that doesn’t go. It might take different forms, but he’s good company. He’s funny, he’s engaging, he’s whip-smart, he’s interested in diverse things. It keeps on evolving – it doesn’t stay sedentary.”
Iman’s Wedding Style
Iman was breathtaking on her wedding day. She wore a curve hugging, halter neck Hervé Léger gown, with a detachable train. Of her gown Iman shared, “I wanted something very simple, elegant, no frills, no fashion, no gimmicks. Something that would outlast anything.” The halter neck wedding gown is still very popular. We love these looks from Demetrios Brides, Sophia Tolli, David’s Bridal and Pronovias.
Leave a Reply