Tyra Banks: A Legendary Supermodel and a Mega Mogul
Tyra Banks is an indisputable icon who has exceeded expectations on and off the runway for over three decades. She was the first Black American model to cover GQ magazine, Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, and the first Black woman to be featured in Victoria’s Secret lingerie catalog. She has also added the titles of Stanford University lecturer, producer, businesswoman, writer, television personality, and actress to her impressive resume. Now, she can add being a creative director to that long list of achievements.
Karen Millen’s ICONS Campaign: Celebrating Ageless Women
Karen Millen is a British fashion brand that offers high-quality and stylish clothing for women of all ages, sizes, and styles. The brand launched its ICONS campaign in 2021 to celebrate the women who have shaped the fashion industry and inspired generations of women to be confident and empowered. The campaign features iconic supermodels such as Paulina Porizkova, Helena Christensen, and now Tyra Banks as the faces of the brand.
Tyra Banks’ Role as the Creative Director for THE ICONS VOL.5 Series
Tyra Banks was approached by Karen Millen to be the creative director for THE ICONS VOL.5 series, which showcases her favorite fashion trends and pieces from the brand’s collection. She also sat for an interview with Forbes to discuss her iconic career, her role as a creative director, and what it takes to become a successful mogul.
Tyra Banks said that she was flattered and honored to be part of the ICONS campaign, especially because she admires Helena Christensen, who was featured in the previous series. She said that being an icon means that many can instantly reflect on her past fashion career and identify significant contributions she has had on the global culture in impactful ways.
She also said that she wanted to be the last “the first” in the fashion industry, meaning that she wanted diversity to be boring and normal. She said that she faced many challenges and rejections because of her skin color and her curves, but she never gave up on her dreams. She said that she opened many doors for Black women in the fashion industry, but there is still more work to be done to highlight the talent of Black women on the runway and behind the scenes.
Tyra Banks also shared her tips on how to become a successful mogul, saying that one has to have a vision, a passion, a team, and a willingness to learn from failures. She said that she is always looking for new opportunities and challenges, and that she is currently focused on her ice cream company, SMiZE & DREAM, which aims to create dream-worthy products and experiences for people on a global scale.
Tyra Banks’ Favorite Pieces from Karen Millen’s Collection
Tyra Banks said that she loves Karen Millen’s clothing because they fit her curves perfectly and make her feel empowered. She said that it is rare to find tailored pieces that look good on curvy women, and that she feels proud to wear them. She also said that she likes the brand’s philosophy of celebrating ageless women who are unapologetically themselves.
Some of her favorite pieces from the collection are:
- The olive-colored evening gown that looks like couture
- The trench coats that are versatile and chic
- The leather pants that are edgy and sexy
- The blazers that are sophisticated and elegant
- The knit dresses that are cozy and flattering
Tyra Banks modeled these pieces in a stunning photo shoot by Laretta Houston, which can be seen on Karen Millen’s website and social media platforms.
