NEW YORK, Nov 3, 2001/ --- For those who expect Iman's book 'I am Iman' to be a sappy, self-congratulatory read, be assured: while filled with beautiful images of herself, Iman, 46, writes candidly about her public persona - and the fashion industry.

Though she credits her career as a model to have allowed her a luxurious lifestyle, she calls the industry "inherently racist" and also dismisses the idea of industry people being trendsetters.

In her opinion, they're rather followers of popular culture, who are "very, very safe" and "don't know anything about the zeitgeist."

The Somali beauty, who retired from fashion a decade ago and since then has married rocker David Bowie, had a baby, and started her own eponymous beauty line for women of color, is probably one of the few to talk openly about going under the knife as well.

About the criticism she received years back when she had her breasts enlarged, she says, "I did deserve the lashing."

The book, scheduled to hit stands November 13, includes contributions from Sandra Bernhard, actress Isabella Rossellini and Isaac Mizrahi among others.