Chanel Iman
Encyclopedia
Chanel Iman Robinson known professionally as Chanel Iman, is an American fashion model perhaps best known for her work for Victoria's Secret
.
, California. Her mother is co-owner of "The Red Bag Boutique" in Los Angeles with her. Her mother is half Korean and her father is African American.
at the age of 13 as a child model in Los Angeles, California. She flew to New York in 2006 and won third place in Ford's Supermodel of the World
contest. Shortly after, she signed on with the agency.
The New York Times wrote a feature article on her, "A Model from Day 1," in which Iman explained that she wanted to be a model her entire life. She was presented on the May 2007 cover of American Vogue
as one of the “World’s Next Top Models.” Style.com also featured Iman as a rising star in 2007. The same year she attended fashion's biggest gala, The Met Ball, where she was named Vogue's second Best Dressed of the Week in her sleeveless Zac Posen
dress. In February and July she appeared on the cover of Teen Vogue
, with Karlie Kloss
and Ali Michael
, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier
, then in November 2009 she appeared on the cover again, this time with Jourdan Dunn
. Iman's other covers include Italian Elle
, i-D
, Dubai and Ukrainian Harper's Bazaar
, Lula, Korean, Teen, and American Vogue
. She has walked the runway for fashion houses and designers including Balenciaga
, Versace
, Yves Saint Laurent
, and Stella McCartney
. She has appeared in editorials for Allure
, Dubai, American, and Ukrainian Harpers Bazaar, V
, i-D
, Pop, Italian, British, and Indonesian Elle
, Italian Vanity Fair
, and several international Vogue
s. She has appeared in advertising campaigns for high-end brands like, Bottega Veneta
, GAP, Ralph Lauren
, Express and DKNY
.
She walked the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. In 2010, she became a featured model on Victoria's Secret
's website and was used in several of the company's campaigns. In 2010, Iman became a Victoria's Secret Angel.
's brief revival of House of Style
with Bar Refaeli
.
On September 9, 2009, Iman appeared as a guest judge on the two-hour season premiere of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13
.
called The Red Bag with the help of her mother.
’s FWD
campaign, an awareness push to combat the famine, war, and drought in the Horn of Africa
. Chanel joined Uma Thurman
, Geena Davis
, and Josh Hartnett
to star in YouTube videos that ask America to “FWD the facts” about the crisis affecting more than 13 million people.
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
.
Early life
Iman was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 1, 1990 (though some sources state her year of birth as 1989.) She grew up in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California. Her mother is co-owner of "The Red Bag Boutique" in Los Angeles with her. Her mother is half Korean and her father is African American.
Career
Iman started modeling with Ford ModelsFord Models
The Ford Modeling Agency, or as it is known today Ford Models, is a modeling agency in New York City. It was established in 1946 by Eileen and the late Gerard W. Ford.-Company:...
at the age of 13 as a child model in Los Angeles, California. She flew to New York in 2006 and won third place in Ford's Supermodel of the World
Supermodel of the World (contest)
Supermodel of the World is an international modeling contest established by Eileen Ford in 1980. The contest showcases young fashion model entrants from over 50 countries in order to discover new talent for the fashion industry...
contest. Shortly after, she signed on with the agency.
The New York Times wrote a feature article on her, "A Model from Day 1," in which Iman explained that she wanted to be a model her entire life. She was presented on the May 2007 cover of American Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
as one of the “World’s Next Top Models.” Style.com also featured Iman as a rising star in 2007. The same year she attended fashion's biggest gala, The Met Ball, where she was named Vogue's second Best Dressed of the Week in her sleeveless Zac Posen
Zac Posen
- Early life :Posen was raised in the SoHo neighborhood of lower Manhattan, the son of artist Stephen Posen and corporate lawyer Susan Posen. His interest in fashion design started early, and as a child he would steal yarmulkes from his grandparents' synagogue to make ball dresses for dolls...
dress. In February and July she appeared on the cover of Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue magazine began as a version of Vogue magazine for teenage girls. This US magazine focuses on fashion and celebrities and offers information about the latest entertainment and feature stories on current issues and events.- Description :...
, with Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss
Karlie Elizabeth Kloss is an American model and ballet dancer.Kloss is ranked 4th on the Top 50 Models Women List by . Vogue Paris declared her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s.- Early life and discovery :...
and Ali Michael
Ali Michael
Alexandra Nicole Michael is an American fashion model who attracted international attention for her weight as a fashion model....
, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier
Patrick Demarchelier
Patrick Demarchelier is a French fashion photographer.-Life:Born near Paris in 1943 to a modest family, he spent his childhood in Le Havre with his mother and four brothers. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather bought him his first Eastman Kodak camera...
, then in November 2009 she appeared on the cover again, this time with Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn is a British fashion model. She was discovered in Hammersmith Primark in 2006 and signed to Storm Management in London shortly thereafter. In 2008, she was the first black model to walk a Prada runway in over a decade...
. Iman's other covers include Italian Elle
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
, i-D
I-D
i-D is a British magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art and youth culture. i-D was founded by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. The first issue was published in the form of a hand-stapled fanzine with text produced on a typewriter...
, Dubai and Ukrainian Harper's Bazaar
Harper's Bazaar
Harper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
, Lula, Korean, Teen, and American Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
. She has walked the runway for fashion houses and designers including Balenciaga
Balenciaga
Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
, Versace
Versace
Gianni Versace S.p.A. , usually referred to as Versace, is an Italian fashion label founded by Gianni Versace in 1978.The first Versace boutique was opened in Milan's Via della Spiga in 1978, and its popularity was immediate. Today, Versace is one of the world's leading international fashion houses...
, Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent (brand)
Yves Saint Laurent or YSL is a luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. Today, its chief designer is Stefano Pilati. Yves Saint Laurent, founder of the brand, died in 2008.-History:...
, and Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney
Stella Nina McCartney is an English fashion designer. She is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and the late photographer and animal rights activist, Linda McCartney.-Early life:...
. She has appeared in editorials for Allure
Allure (magazine)
Allure is the leading U.S. women’s beauty magazine, published monthly by Condé Nast in New York City. It was founded in 1991 by editor in chief Linda Wells, who has been at the helm of the magazine ever since. From its inception, the magazine has been widely recognized for its intelligent,...
, Dubai, American, and Ukrainian Harpers Bazaar, V
V (American magazine)
V magazine is an American fashion magazine published since 1999. The magazine is printed seasonally and highlights trends in fashion, film music and art. A men's fashion quarterly entitled VMAN started as an offshoot in 2003.-History:...
, i-D
I-D
i-D is a British magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art and youth culture. i-D was founded by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. The first issue was published in the form of a hand-stapled fanzine with text produced on a typewriter...
, Pop, Italian, British, and Indonesian Elle
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
, Italian Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
, and several international Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
s. She has appeared in advertising campaigns for high-end brands like, Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta is an Italian luxury goods house best known for its leather goods. Founded in 1966, it was purchased in 2001 by Gucci Group, now a part of the French multinational group PPR. Bottega Veneta is headquartered in Vicenza, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy.- History :Bottega...
, GAP, Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
, Express and DKNY
DKNY
DKNY is a label of fashion designer Donna Karan. It is also the name of a clothing store in New York City featuring Donna Karan's associated line.-History:...
.
She walked the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. In 2010, she became a featured model on Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
's website and was used in several of the company's campaigns. In 2010, Iman became a Victoria's Secret Angel.
Television
In October 2007, Iman appeared with her mother on an episode of the Tyra Banks Show. On March 21, 2009, she appeared as a correspondent in MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's brief revival of House of Style
House of Style
House of Style is an MTV show that premiered January 1, 1989, focusing on America's growing fascination with the "supermodel" craze. The show focused on fashion, lives of models, the modeling industry, and controversial topics such as eating disorders....
with Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli is an Israeli model and occasional actress, most known for her modeling work and for her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. She was the cover model of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.-Early life:...
.
On September 9, 2009, Iman appeared as a guest judge on the two-hour season premiere of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13 is the thirteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the seventh season to be aired on The CW network. It premiered on September 9, 2009. This cycle's catch phrase is "'The Lineup Is 5' 7" And Under. Not The Usual Suspects. BOOK 'EM!", and the promotional song...
.
Personal life
Early in 2010, Iman opened a clothing boutique in Culver City, CaliforniaCulver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
called The Red Bag with the help of her mother.
Activism
In 2011, Chanel became one of a handful of celebrity faces attached to USAID and Ad CouncilAd Council
The Advertising Council, commonly known as the Ad Council, is an American non-profit organization that distributes public service announcements on behalf of various sponsors, including non-profit organizations and agencies of the United States government....
’s FWD
FWD
FWD may refer to:* Front-wheel drive, a common method of vehicle propulsion.* FWD Campaign from USAID* Free World Dialup , a non-commercial Voice over IP network....
campaign, an awareness push to combat the famine, war, and drought in the Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
. Chanel joined Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman
Uma Karuna Thurman is an American actress and model. She has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Among her best-known roles are those in the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill...
, Geena Davis
Geena Davis
Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis is an American actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and a women's Olympics archery team semi-finalist...
, and Josh Hartnett
Josh Hartnett
Joshua Daniel "Josh" Hartnett is an American actor and aspiring producer. He first came to audiences' attention in 1997 as "Michael Fitzgerald" in the television series Cracker. He made his feature film debut in 1998, co-starring with Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later for Miramax...
to star in YouTube videos that ask America to “FWD the facts” about the crisis affecting more than 13 million people.