Chanel Iman Was a Beach Angel During Her Debut SI Swim Photo Shoot in Madagascar

The three-time brand model and mom of three nailed her 2014 feature with Derek Kettela.

Ananya Panchal | Feb 29, 2024

Chanel Iman was photographed by Derek Kettela in Madagascar.

Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

Three-time SI Swimsuit model Chanel Iman posed for consecutive issues beginning with her debut with the brand in Madagascar with photographer Derek Kettela in 2014.

The 33-year-old, who just tied the knot with NFL player Davon Godchaux on a yacht in the Caribbean, returned to the fold the following year. She traveled to Utah for a super cool and adventurous photo shoot, and was captured by James Macari. In 2016, the Atlanta native traveled to Zanzibar, where she posed on breathtaking beaches for visual artist Ruven Afanador.

Iman, who is a mom to three daughters, Cali, Cassie and Capri, entered the industry at the age of 12, when she signed with IMG Models in Los Angeles. She has since graced the pages of Allure, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Vanity Fair and numerous international Vogue editions. She has also walked the runway for countless luxury fashion houses, including Burberry, Tom Ford, Gucci, Balenciaga, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton and more. The former Victoria’s Secret Angel was named as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s by Vogue Paris.

“When I first started, it was always one Black girl per show, or campaign, or whatever it was. I couldn’t stand it, because I just felt like I was being judged a lot, rather than accepted for who I was. I feel like fashion’s opened up a lot with having rappers in campaigns, and more color on the runway, but of course there’s room for more of it, and more diversity. It’s nice to be part of a culture change,” Iman said about how she has seen the modeling and fashion industries change over the years. “Have confidence within yourself. I’ve had really bad, bad experiences, and really good ones as well, but when I felt lonely, [my family was] were there to pick me back up. My family’s definitely helped me to fight for the things that I dreamed of. But, you also have to have confidence with yourself, because there is a lot of rejection. Rejection should uplift you more than it takes you down. ”

Below are six jaw-dropping pics from her debut SI Swimsuit photo shoot in Madagascar.

Chanel Iman — Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

Published Feb 29, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.