Iman and De Beers Not to Renew Agreement

Former supermodel Iman, which was the face that launched De Beers retail venture De Beers LV, will reportedly not serve as spokesperson for the venture any more.

Reports of difficulties started to surface shortly after the deal between Iman and De Beers LV was announced following reports that De Beers might benefit from a forced re-location program of Bushmen tribes from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Botswana’s government has denied charges by human rights groups that it was relocating Bushmen from their ancestral land to allow for diamond exploration and mining in the region.

Sources in De Beers explained Iman’s absence from an event she was scheduled to attend at the time as a result of a family related issue, and not anger over the Botswana allegations, as suggested by many.

Since November 2002 not much was heard of the topic and Iman appeared in ads, store openings and events as part of her contract.