Hey, Can I Get a Picture With You?

Sep 14, 2007 @ 2:14pm

chanelpluspuppy.jpg We saw a lot of people get photographed this week.

At the backstage exit after the Marc by Marc show, there was a crowd of girls snapping pictures of the models leaving with their poofy pink-streaked hair.

When Chanel Iman descended the stairs, she was surrounded by the same girls, but they didn't just want a picture of her. They wanted a picture with her.

Chanel happily obliged, smiling and draping her arm around their shoulders as a rotating cast of friends snapped away.

We've never seen anyone ask for a picture with Sasha. And even though she's one of our favorite models, we definitely wouldn't ask for one either.

Maybe it's that Chanel looks approachable and friendly; she's very, very beautiful, but she seems like she could be in your english class or on your soccer team.

She's also one of the most successful young models working right now and perhaps it's for the same reasons.

Is fashion moving away from icy gorgeous girls like Sasha towards a more down to earth aesthetic? Would you rather see editorials and ads with the girl next door than the girl from Siberia?

--ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

recommend this link to (18) Comments
posted in Models tags Chanel, Chanel Iman, Iman

Comments

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posted by rachel

Sep 14, 2007 2:20PM

i think it is because chanel has been getting alot of press, especially in teen mags

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posted by anon

Sep 14, 2007 2:28PM

and she's from america?

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posted by hannah

Sep 14, 2007 2:30PM

hmm... interesting, I like girls like Sasha in editorials because it accentuates the otherwordly/imaginative feel of the clothes, but it's interesting to see girls like Chanel too because it's like imagining the preppy girl from your math class in haute couture.

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posted by CN

Sep 14, 2007 2:39PM

I pick Siberia. Vlada, Tanya, Sasha, Natasha over Chanel Iman any day.

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posted by mcvphoto

Sep 14, 2007 2:53PM

i love sasha in editorials but WHAT was with her cheesy faces on the runway this season-- anna sui? overkill.

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posted by AFG

Sep 14, 2007 2:55PM

@Anon

Yes, Chanel is an American who grew up in LA.

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posted by CynthiaC

Sep 14, 2007 3:18PM

Seriously, most models these days are nasty, nasty, nasty....they don't care about the face anymore! I've encouraged the industry to make changes, but I'm just a blogger, so no one really cares!

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posted by Mary

Sep 14, 2007 3:55PM

Definitely, for me as a teenage girl I'd rather see a girl who seems as if she could be my best friend, then some model who looks like icy and mean.

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posted by Kendall

Sep 14, 2007 6:47PM

Personally I don't think Sasha is intimidating. In interviews she talks about art, not wearing make up when she doesn't work, and roadtrips with friends - she seems like a down to earth model.

But yes, I can see how approaching most of those icy Eastern European girls would be a bit daunting. I guess Chanel just seems like someone who people can relate to; thus they feel more comfortable asking for pictures with her. She has that likability factor that could really help her longevity and success in the U.S. market.

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posted by Jac

Sep 14, 2007 8:20PM

I don't think CHanel is anything to look at. Good skin, but very plain. I always try to consider if the model is someone i might stop and look at if I passed her in the street--Chanel is a cute girl but I wouldn't look twice.

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posted by

Sep 14, 2007 8:21PM

no. sasha and stam all the way!
models are SUPPOSED to be ice queens. thats why theyre NOT on your soccer team.

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posted by Wendell

Sep 16, 2007 1:56PM

I actually saw Chanel and what looked like her mom and brother (boyfriend?) a few days ago. She is much more beautiful than any photograph I've seen, and she was smiling and obiviously enjoying behing with her family. I first noticed her because she was striking, not because she was Chanel Iman. She defiitely has charisma - and the potential to be a superstar.

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posted by starr

Sep 16, 2007 2:07PM

Chanel looks outgoing and her willingness to pose with adoring fans make her a fast celebrity.

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posted by hannah

Sep 16, 2007 3:35PM

I think Chanel is absolutely gorgeous!

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posted by Jaclyn

Sep 16, 2007 9:19PM

I never used to be a chanel fan, but she's growing on me. I think I definitely like more down to earth models. While I enjoy the artistic aesthetic of high fashion ads, I always wish I was friends with the kids in American Eagle and (90's) Benetton ads. However, in the eyes of the company it all comes down to Machiavelli: Is it better to be feared or loved?

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posted by rc

Sep 16, 2007 11:46PM

personally, I think that Chanel Iman is very hit or miss as far as the quality of her photographs go. Sometimes they look amazing, sometimes ... eh.

But I think her personability and girl-next-door flavour will only enhance her career. Mainly, it helps her stand out. There are a thousand tall, thin girls with pretty faces out there, trying to make it as a model. You need more than that. You need something that distinguishes you from the rest.

I think she'll be in high demand for other teenagers, because she makes modelling appear attainable to the average girl.

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posted by ff

Sep 17, 2007 6:31AM

I was actually on a Vogue shoot with Sasha and she's a really sweet girl. She's down-to-earth and friendly and not intimidating at all.

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posted by loatetyra

Sep 17, 2007 8:20AM

Sasha is sweet her beauty is intimdating ugh CHANEL IS THE NEXT TYRA

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