About
Chanel Iman Robinson is an American supermodel whose easy poise and bright smile became fixtures on international runways while she was still a teenager. After signing with Ford Models, she rocketed from local photo shoots to the world’s biggest fashion weeks, earning her “wings” as a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010. She has fronted campaigns for luxury houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Bottega Veneta, and has appeared in Vogue, Elle, and countless beauty editorials. More than a decade into her career, she still balances magazine covers with brand-building ventures and a social-media presence followed by millions.
Before Fame
Born on December 1, 1990, in Atlanta and raised in Los Angeles, Iman is the daughter of China Robinson, who is half-Korean and African-American, and an African-American father known affectionately as “Tic.” Her mother’s boutique exposed her early to fabrics and styling, and by age 12 she had joined Ford Models’ L.A. roster. In January 2006 she placed third in Ford’s Supermodel of the World contest, a springboard that whisked her to New York Fashion Week the following month. The fashion press quickly praised her confident walk and youthful energy, helping her land covers for Teen Vogue and opening doors to Paris, Milan, and London.
Trivia
- Tyra Banks’ protégé: Supermodel-turned-mogul Tyra Banks informally mentored Iman, offering late-night advice and cheering her backstage during her earliest fashion weeks.
- Runway duo: Fans still gush over the joyful chemistry she shared with British model Jourdan Dunn when the pair closed shows together in the late 2000s—a moment Teen Vogue later celebrated in a dedicated photo gallery.
- Game-day glam: Beyond couture, Iman once helped Victoria’s Secret launch an NFL-themed lingerie line, proving she could blend sports culture with high fashion.
- Entrepreneurial streak: She has teased plans for a lifestyle brand that merges fashion, wellness, and motherhood content, hinting that her next chapter may unfold behind the camera as much as in front of it. (Interview excerpts, 2025).
Family Life
Iman married New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard in March 2018, and together they welcomed two daughters: Cali Clay (born August 10, 2018) and Cassie Snow (born December 17, 2019). The couple separated in 2021 but remain co-parents.
In May 2023 she announced her engagement to New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux; their daughter Capri Summer arrived in September 2023. A civil ceremony in New York on January 10, 2024, was followed by an intimate yacht wedding off Anguilla on February 24, 2024, where Iman wore a custom Zuhair Murad gown and the newly blended family celebrated at sea.
Associated With
Throughout her career, Iman has been photographed alongside—and often championed by—industry icons. Tyra Banks provided early guidance, and Iman frequently credits her for teaching the power of self-branding. On runways and in campaigns she shared the spotlight with Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, and Karlie Kloss, helping push for greater diversity in high fashion. Designers such as Tom Ford, Diane von Furstenberg, and the late Karl Lagerfeld booked her for shows that demanded both elegance and energy. Off-runway, she partners with charitable organizations supporting children’s education and disaster relief, reflecting a belief that style carries more weight when paired with service.
