Chanel Iman

By Ines Mendoza

Is there anything better than a model who decides to drop part of her name to seem cooler? Sometimes I think it's even better and more ridiculous than simply changing your name altogether to something like "Elton John". Because it shows that you respect your heritage and who you are... but not THAT much.

Thus we have Chanel Iman, or more accurately, Chanel Iman Robinson a Victoria's Secret model born in 1990 who has made a name for herself, but not her family.

A native of Los Angeles Chanel is an interesting combination - half Korean and half African American - but her story is by no means unique (especially in the modeling world).

This little minx started modeling at the tender age of just thirteen in California. From here she flew across the dusty plains to New York City in 2006 and promptly came third in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest. This was a game changer for the youngster, and shortly after, Chanel signed with the agency.

Chanel Iman

By February of 2007, Iman had already appeared on the cover of magazines like Teen Vogue, Italian Elle, Dubai and Ukrainian Harper's Bazaar, Teen and American Vogue. These also included editorial stints in Allure, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Italian Vanity Fair, and several international Vogues to name but a few.

Chanel Iman is also quite partial to more commercial ventures as evidenced in her appearances in advertising campaigns for high-end brands like Bottega Veneta,Ralph Lauren and the highly regarded DKNY.

This exposure led to catwalk stints where she has strut her stuff in uncomfortable shoes for the likes of Balenciaga, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and even Stella McCartney. Yeah, you heard me!

However, the biggest career move for Iman is the fact she has used her sexy legs to walk in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows. The three-peat! In fact, in 2010, Chanel was officially knighted a Victoria's Secret Angel.

Being a child of LA and a sexy model, it was inevitable that Chanel Iman would also venture into the nastier side of showbiz : TV. Since 2007, she's popped up on such esteemed shows as... um.... The Tyra Banks Show. Well, they can't all be winners, ay?

We kid! She's also shown her face on MTV's House of Style with Bar Refaeli and as a guest judge on America's Next Top Model. For all we know, she might have actually been good at it. Or, more likely, she was pretty but downright terrible. But who are we to judge? JUDGES OF STYLE, THAT'S WHO!

While she may have cut off her family name of Robinson, Chanel Iman has certainly kept it in the family, in 2010 she even The Red Bag clothing boutique in Culver City. A fantastic idea... nothing could possibly go wrong with your mum breathing down your neck!

Not to be held back by simply being seen on the TV (she's even popped up in music videos for Usher) Chanel wants to be interactive on it too. In 2012 Kinect on XBOX released a game which starred Chanel, alongside Chris Evans and Redfoo of LMFAO . We have no idea what the game is. We probably should research it, but let's face facts, you're just here to look at the pictures below.

Look, we've been a bit mean about Chanel, and we shouldn't, she's done a lot of good in the world. In fact, in 2011, Iman attached herself to USAID (an awareness initiative about the drought in East Africa) and in 2012 she even designed a backpack to raise money for President Barack Obama's Re-Election campaign.

What have you done today? Nothing! Yeah, though so - GO MAKE A BACKPACK YOU LAZY SODS!

Chanel Iman is Hot and Sexy