Coreen Simpson (born February 18, 1942) is a noted African-American photographer and jewelry designer. Coreen Simpson’s illustrious career began as a photojournalist covering political dignitaries, cultural icons, musicians, athletes and special events in New York, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Ms. Simpson became one of a handful of female photographers on regular assignment covering the Fashion Collections in Paris and New York. Her images have appeared in Vogue, Essence, Ms. Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, The Village Voice and numerous books and periodicals.
Concurrently, she started taking photographs for herself—documenting people whose style she was drawn to on and off the street. While developing her visual language and unique portraiture, her work came to the attention of international curators. She is presently in the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art, The Bronx Museum, Le Musee De La Photographie (Belgium) and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, among others. Danny Glover and Spike Lee are among her private collectors.
In 1982, between photo assignments, Ms. Simpson began designing and creating the kind of jewelry she desired, but could not find in stores. She wore her original necklaces in Paris while photographing the collections. Her designs created a sensation! Fashion editors began making requests and her clientele grew and grew. Glamour Magazine, quoted designer, Carolina Herrera, who exclaimed, “each piece is more magnificent than the last.” Simpson’s signature piece, THE BLACK CAMEO®, was launched in 1990.
Ms. Simpson studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design. Simpson has two children and enjoys traveling, collecting fine art, music, dance and cultural activities of every kind.