Chanel Iman’s fashion rebellion

Supermodel Chanel Iman on her surprisingly half-sporty, half-elegant wardrobe and her thing for ‘visual memories.’

She’s judging you by your looks: “It’s such a bore when you see people dressing safe. I have this thing about colors matching from head to toe. The word “safe” just isn’t exciting. I love an outfit with a bit of edge and careless vision. I’ve always believed that if you walk into a party full of different people with different styles, you’re properly walking into a fun, funky party that will leave you full of visual memories.”

And prefers a pared down, “retro chic” style for herself: “Jeans and flats are what I feel most comfortable in on a day-to-day basis. I wear it in a retro chic kind of way. I spend 50 percent of my time in flats because I’m on the go; and the other 50 percent of the time, I’m rocking a bad pair of heels that I just had to wear. When it’s time to go out, it’s time to get hot and have fun.”

Not that she’s ruled out going all glam: “I wouldn’t mind having bits and pieces from Beyonce’s closet. And Madonna’s. And some of Queen Elizabeth’s jewels. What I love above all is feeling elegant. The ’50s glam Hollywood days were just pure sophistication. Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor — these women take my breath away.”