Iman says she believes Canadians have just as much fashion sense — and talent — as anyone around the world.
The ever-alluring supermodel and host of Project Runway Canada is in Toronto for LG Fashion Week to support Canadian alumni from last season’s cycle of the show and kick off a showing of full collections by this season’s final three designers.
With modern fashion melding influences from across the world, Iman sees Canadian talent as being no less potent than those around the world.
“I don’t really see anything territorial about fashion because fashion is truly global. Designers are getting inspiration from everywhere. If you look at Elle Canada or any of the other magazines, you see Canadian designers alongside European and American designers,” she said.
While designers in Canadian cities close to New York City might sometimes feel overshadowed by the fashion capital, Iman says they shouldn’t.
“The proximity to New York sometimes makes it difficult for (Canadian) designers because there is that spirit of being a stepchild. But they shouldn’t feel that way, because the customer doesn’t care where the dress is from as long as it looks good,” Iman said.
Influential designer Yves Saint Laurent called Iman his “dream woman” and many other famous designers have admitted the statuesque beauty has served as their muse. Iman believes Vancouver-born supermodel Coco Rocha will prove an equally legendary muse to designers around the world.
“Coco is amazing. Canadians should be very proud that she’s Canadian but the whole world is claiming her because she’s that good. She has a beauty that is very classical but could also look edgy. Her pictures come alive,” Iman said.
Along with hosting Project Runway, Iman is CEO of her own cosmetics brand and spokesperson for the Keep a Child Alive charity. Despite being busier now than she even was as a model, Iman still finds time to spend with her husband, famed musician David Bowie, and be a mom.
“I have an eight-year-old, so my life is aligned to that first. I still cook at home, I still take my kid to school, I still have to go to PTA meetings. I always tell people, ‘If you only knew how normal (my life) is,’” Iman said.
Though the tough economy has forced many fashion labels to shift focus away from high-end offerings, Iman doesn’t necessarily see that as a bad thing.
“Fashion is all about change — if it doesn’t change it doesn’t move forward. It has gone from one extreme to the other. Now the consumer is dictating where fashion is going to go. In the meantime I’m hoping that there will still be clothes that will uplift us,” Iman said.
