Quotes from Chanel Iman

We always had 'Vogue' in our house. But, when I was around 12, my Mom finally took me seriously about modeling and put a stack of magazines in front of me, then told me to study all the poses. The ones I loved the most were in 'Vogue.'

Music is everything to me. I wake up and go to bed with it. I listen to all genres, depending on my mood.

I have had the privilege of working with the best in the business, from photographers to designers to magazines. There's not much more to ask for but I'm still looking forward to one day working with photographers Mert and Marcus, Tim Walker and Nick Knight.

At the end of the day, I feel like I have no one to blame but myself if I'm not satisfied with how I look on the runway.

My taste in music originates from my culture and heritage, and from traveling the world and listening to all kinds of fun sounds and bits.

I want to do television, film, music and designing. I want to do it all!

Honestly, I try to forget Fashion Week once it's over. I just want to go home and rest and just forget I even did it. It could drive you crazy! It's just show after show after show, and you're missing your family and they feel really far away. You don't go to sleep. You work for a month.

No babies for me until I'm in my 30s! I'm focused on my career right now. I can't even take care of my dog.

I drink a lot of protein shakes and do a lot of weight lifting.

You learn to be comfortable in your own skin, and your body changes throughout life, so you can't sweat the small stuff.

I don't want to be known as the black model. I want to be recognized as Chanel Iman, a personality.

I'm just really tiny. People hate me, because I just sit. I'm eating, I'm eating, I'm eating and then I just... sit. And I don't gain a thing.

When I was a little girl, I lived for modeling and fashion - I used to love, love, love modeling.

Let me say this: I think men are a full-time job, and I'm young and I already have one job. I'm just focused on my career.

The first time my friends saw me in a magazine I was so excited.

I don't get facials. The last time I got a facial was when I first started modeling when I was 15 or 16. It made my face completely break out.

I always take my time when picking out outfits at home, but I will say I can change pretty quick when I'm in a hurry.

Accept yourself, love yourself.

I'm grateful to look the way I do. However, if I could change anything, I would like to be a bit bigger all over. Not much - just a bit.

I'm my own person, and I want people to know me for who I am.

Don't be afraid to express yourself through fashion!

It takes time to be who you really want to be. It doesn't happen overnight.

I'm thinking of slowing down on modeling and branching out to other things. I want to pursue some new and old dreams and start making them happen.

I don't like to fly. What's it called when the plane shakes? Turbulence, takeoffs... I grab my chair, close my eyes, count to 30, breathe, and pray.