The White Ribbon Alliance is an international coalition bound together by a common goal: to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for all women and newborns in every country around the world. I was invited to witness the work of this organization by Queen Rania of Jordan as she co-hosted 4th Important Dinner For Women and was delighted to see some of my model friends are already on board. Who said models are vacuous?
With Queen Rania of Jordan
These are the models who are involved in this issue:
Naomi Campbell as the Global Ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance through Fashion Relief that she spearheaded has attracted new supporters as well as needed funds to ensure mothers and new born babies survive childbirth.
With Naomi Campbell
Christy Turlington Burns as a maternal health advocate works with CARE in effort to gather support for safe motherhood in Congress.
Liya Kebede who wrote that ” There is a saying in Africa that to find out you are pregnant is to have one foot in the grave. In my native Ethiopia, children are treasured yet dying in childbirth is a fact of life.” Did you know that every minute of every day, a woman dies of pregnancy complications, totaling more than one half million women each year? How do you do your part?
Learn more at www.whiteribbonalliance.org.
I met Chanel Iman when she started modeling some years ago and interviewed her for Vibe magazine. Although Vibe magazine has not survived these hard economic times, I am quiet certain Chanel Iman is here to stay. I asked her some questions so take a look…
Chanel Iman and me.
1. Were you named after me?
I would love to say I was named after such an amazing model, but truth is, I was named after a male cousin named Iman. My mother loved the name and wanted to used it for a boy or girl name when she was pregnant with me. She had just read the book “COCO” and was inspired to name me Chanel after the great fashion icon. So was born….. Chanel Iman. Growing up wanting to model… I use to say “Chanel Iman, like the model IMAN”. I’m proud to have your name.
2. What is your fave jeans?
It’s hard to find the perfect jeans, but for me William Rast or Rock & Republic.
3. Who is your fave designer or designers and why?
I have so many fav designers, I love them all for different reasons. Zac Posen has dressed me in some of my favorite looks like the amazing gown I wore at the last Met ball….LOVED. I always look forward to working with John Galliano ….. what a creative designer! I could go on and on about each of them, and in the end I have to say I love them all.
4. Who is your fave photographer or photographers and why?
As a model who loves working with Photographers around the world, its impossible to pick just one or a few that I love. I learn so much from each of them as each brings out a different Chanel Iman in me. I will say, my favorite part of being a model is the experience of working with so many creative photographers. I love photo shoots.
5. Who is your fave model of all time and why?
When I think of Favorite Models of all times, I have to think of those who have had struggles to become who they are in this industry. Knowing what struggles are (as I have had a few of my own) I am inspired and grateful that many paved the way for me. You Iman, Beverly Johnson, Tyra Banks, Naomi and Alec are an inspiration to young girls around the world.  I also have to say Kate Moss who has had her own struggles and overcame them. I love you all.
6. Among your contemporaries who is your fave model and why?
I’m not really a person who has favorites when it comes to people who are close to me. There are many models I love seeing when I’m working, but there are those that I consider my friends and we receive each other like family. Just to mention a few and not in any order, Doutzen, Jourdan, Karlie, Hillary, Agnes, Coco, Jessica, Marina….. the list goes on. My best friend is a model and room mate, Heidy Allende.
7. What is your beauty essential?
My beauty essential is simply clean skin and hair.
8. You travel a lot… what is your fave luggage?
I’ve heard some horror stories about stolen item from luggage during travel. I take and check my most raggedy bag so that the outer value won’t determine the inner value of what I’ve packed. However, my carry on is my ole faithful Louis Vuitton.
9. New York, Paris or Milan…. which is your fave city and why?
After NY during the fashion tour London, Milan and Paris, I look forward to Paris the most. Paris because I’m most at home there. Also because it means fashion week is almost over and I get to go home.
10. What was your first major cover? who shot it? any personal story behind it?
My first major cover was Vogue. Anna Wintour selected 10 girls naming them the World’s Next Top Models shot by Steven Meisel. I was the youngest (16) and the only minority… In fact the third African American to ever grace the cover of Vogue. I know there were other Blacks, IMAN, Naomi, I think Alec and Liya. But only three African Americans….. Beverly Johnson, Tyra Banks and Chanel Iman.
11. The Met/Model as a Muse…. what was the highlight of the evening for you?
The Met Ball always makes me feel like I have arrived! To be in the presence of such an prestigious group is just amazing to me. To be in the mist of the worlds most creative fashion people is a night never to forget.
12. What is on your iPod?
Beyonce, Mary J. and Madonna.
13. We know models eat. What is your fave food?
I love to eat. Everyone knows I love soul food and have a weakness for sweets. I eat all of the time. Lately, I’ve been cooking at home. I’m learning the art of cooking and really enjoying my own family recipes in my own kitchen.
14. Guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is the spa. I say guilty because when I am submerged at the spa, I know there are those that will never experience the feeling of such an awesome luxury.
15. Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day is somewhere on a beach front or by the pool at a resort. A perfect day can also be at home in LA, in my car, visiting my family and friends.
Want to see more? Watch the behind the scenes video of People Magazine 35th anniversary shoot with me and Chanel Iman on Modelinia.
