She broke into the industry on Vogue’s iconic May 2007 cover dubbed “World’s Next Top Models” issue, went on to star in campaigns and runways for the likes of Dior, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren and Versace (to name a few) and catapulted to the mainstream with her beloved tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. But a busy life on the road didn’t always “feel like home” for model Chanel Iman.
Now a mom of three, the 34-year-old recently launched her brand Chasa and is gearing up for its first expansion just in time for Valentine’s Day. Inspired by Iman’s love for fashion, passion for interior design and personal experiences, the line aims to offer affordable luxury, style and comfort that elevates everyday living. It also keeps in mind her experiences as a young model, where she created a sense of “home” wherever she found herself around the world, finding comfort in three simple things to make it a safe place—a blanket, a candle and a mug.
Your line has an interesting personal tie-in. How can you best describe what it stands for, as well as the expansion?
Chasa is designed to enhance everyday life. Our Valentine’s Day collection is all about celebrating love and family and bringing everyone together. We launched a baby and kids collection—we even dropped robes for babies! And, we just dropped a new candle, the new fragrance, which is a santal scent.
It’s a really exciting time for me because Chasa is my baby. I’ve been working really hard on it with my team. Our first collection was mainly inspired by my journey and moving to New York City. We dropped blankets, mugs and candles—all the simple things that brought warmth into my home when I first moved to New York at a very young age.
I love that message that it makes you feel at home when you’re far from home. How did you start the project?
I have so much love for fashion and so much passion for interior design, so I wanted to merge the two, which is really the heart of Chasa. It’s been something that’s been in my heart to put together since I first started modeling. I’ve always wanted to be a successful model so that I would be in a position to be able to be an entrepreneur and have my own brand one day.
What do moments of wellness and being “home” look like for you now?
My bathroom is my sanctuary. It’s where I relax. I love a nice, warm bubble bath and lighting candles around my home and putting on some soft music. My mom helps out a lot with my kids. When she’s in town, I am able to go to the spa with a girlfriend, go for lunch, just to get away for a few hours. But the bath is where I spend my time to reset.
What will you be doing for Valentine’s Day since this launch syncs up with that? Do you have any exciting plans?
My daughters are off from school on Valentine’s Day, and we’re going to spend some time together and celebrate Valentine’s all as a family. My husband will also probably take me to a nice dinner at night. It’s fun because it’s a Friday!
