How I Shop: Chanel Iman

We all buy clothes, but no two people shop the same. It can be a social experience, and a deeply personal one; at times, it can be impulsive and entertaining, at others, purpose-driven, a chore. Where do you shop? When do you shop? How do you decide what you need, how much to spend and what’s “you”? These are some of the questions we’re putting to prominent figures in our column “How I Shop.”

When you think of the supermodel scene of the early 2000s, there’s an exclusive list of women who topped the industry so visibly, that their most memorable modeling images are pinned to the Pinterests and mood boards of people who weren’t even alive during the height of their careers. Chanel Iman — the era’s runway darling and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show poster girl — is one of those women.

“There was one [Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show] in particular that was really special,” Iman tells Fashionista. “They had given me multiple wings to wear in one show and it was my first time wearing wings at all. I had one pair of bubble wings and the classic feather wings. I just remember how exciting that was and feeling like I had reached a milestone in my career. I felt like a real, true ‘angel’ — which I was.”

Well before she could have even dreamt of reaching “Angel” status, Iman was a kid obsessed with fashion — an interest passed down to her by her mom, an aspiring designer herself. “[My relationship with fashion] started before I was even born. My mom was doing a project on Gabrielle Coco Chanel and was so inspired by her story, that she named me after her,” Iman explains. “Growing up, my mom made custom looks for clients and did a lot of tailoring and stuff. So I was already growing up with sewing machines and fabrics. I was pretty much born into fashion.”

Iman’s passion was also fueled by her desire to make a one-of-a-kind wardrobe for her American Girl dolls. (Same.) “When my mom had the time, we would sit behind the sewing machine and make the dolls’ clothes. Then, we’d make matching outfits for me.”

Just a few years later, Iman made a life-altering decision to enter a competition hosted by Ford Models. After placing third in the modeling contest, she walked her first New York Fashion Week runway at just 12 years old. She signed with Ford, marking the beginning of an illustrious modeling career.

Since then, she’s covered several issues of Vogue, walked the runway for designers like John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen, become a three-time Victoria’s Secret Angel and fronted countless fashion campaigns. With all these accomplishments under her belt, Iman has largely shifted her focus to her three daughters and her new brand, Chasa — a home and lifestyle line that focuses on cozier apparel than what you’re probably used to seeing her wear.

Below, Iman shares more about the comfortable, everyday outfit preferences she hasn’t moved on from since her teenage years, her most memorable fashion moments, her favorite brands to shop, her hefty Chanel bag collection (naturally) and more.

“As a mom of four, I’m always looking for comfort, but I still want to feel good in whatever I’m wearing. I try to find classic, timeless, effortless pieces that I can mix and match. Right now I’m into a lot of denim and basic tees paired with a good pair of boots and a leather jacket. For me, it’s mostly about wearing a great shoe and a good quality bag.

“Levi’s makes my favorite jeans and shorts. I feel like they’ve just always been in my closet since I was a teenager. They’re great quality, they fit me well and they’re just classic.

“I’m in Texas right now, so all I’m thinking about are Western clothes. My style just depends on where I am. If I’m in Florida, I’m into more summery, kind of flowy dresses. If I’m in New York, it’s more chic, all-black, fashion-forward looks. I travel all over the world, so I pretty much have a closet for every occasion and place.

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“I buy most of my T-shirts from Re/done. I feel like they go great with expensive pairs of pants and cheap pairs of pants. They’re kind of pricey, but they last forever.

“I’ve always kind of worn the same everyday outfit. I feel like a model’s wardrobe is usually really basic because you’re always going to castings. I wear a pair of black skinny jeans, a Re/done T-shirt and Dr. Martens boots — or black pumps. I’ve been wearing that outfit since I was a teenager. 

“I collect Chanel bags. The classic Chanel bag with a chain is my favorite. That’s my go-to, everyday bag.

“My first big splurge was a pair of Chanel heels. When you’re a struggling model trying to make it in the fashion industry, a really good pair of heels makes you feel so confident in a casting.

“I remember my first red carpet was for a Teen Vogue party. I had a pink top with pink matching bottoms with a pink trim. Everything was color-coordinated and it was just terrible.

“When I attend a red carpet event, I work with my stylist Monica Rose. She pulls in major gowns and major looks. She works straight with the designers to dress me. I tend to find that I always love a long dress with a slit on the side to show a little leg. Plus, a strappy sandal. 

“My stylist puts me on to a lot of new and up-and-coming designers that she thinks I should wear. And sometimes if I see something on Instagram that I like, I’ll usually order it. Otherwise, I shop based on intuition — what feels good.

“Some of my favorite red carpet looks I’ve ever worn have been by Zuhair Murad. I’ve worn a few at the Cannes Film Festival. I love them so much that I got married in a Zuhair Murad look. He’s one of my favorite designers to wear on a carpet.

“Since I’ve been so blessed to work with so many top designers, I know quality when I try something on or feel it. That’s why with my brand, Chasa, I wanted to make sure everything met my quality standards. 

“I loved my Met Gala look from 2012. I wore Tom Ford and I went with him as his date. That was so epic. It’s always so exciting to see what the designer is going to make custom for you.

“When I was doing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, I would get to keep the shoes that I wore on the runway. Those shoes in my closet are very special to me because I worked hard for them and I was able to take them home and save them for my daughters.

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Source: Fashionista.com