>> In anticipation of her television debut on MTV's House of Style this weekend (more details here), we snagged Chanel Iman for a few minutes to chat about how she landed the coveted role of show correspondent (first peek at her in the show, left), her recent coup on the runway at Balenciaga, and about how she might have already landed a date to this year's Costume Institute Gala.  It also sounds like she has a career switch in mind — but Chanel will tell you all about it herself.

How did your role on House of Style come about?

Well basically, they called my agency, I went in to meet with them, I did an audition with all the rest of the girls, and they called — I was waiting for the phone call, I was hoping I got it — but I was waiting for about three months.  And when I got back from Paris — I was in Paris for ready-to-wear and did the whole fashion tour for Fashion Week — they told me I got it. I was really excited because it's just another way for me to express myself!

Tell me a little bit about your upcoming Gossip Girl appearance.

It's just experience — it was just for me to get an idea of what it would be like to be on set, to really see what happens since I've never been on a set before.

Are you looking for more TV appearances in the future then?

Yeah.  I'm kind of slowing down on the modeling right now and I'm branching out to other experiences and interests that I have. [Ed. note: She told Teen Vogue: "House of Style is definitely just the start. I want to do television, film, music and designing. I want to do it all!"]

Now about that Costume Institute Gala date . . . »

>> It turns out that the House of Style revival on MTV isn't quite what we thought; rather than bring back the series, MTV partnered with Teen Vogue for a Spring House of Style special.  Bar Refaeli is indeed host, and Chanel Iman, rather than co-host, is a correspondent.

The show is definitely targeted at teens: Bar counts down a Top 10 Most Wanted Trends list — think jelly shoes; talks designer DIYs — Teen Vogue fashion editor Mary Kate Steinmiller teaches viewers how to make friendship bracelets with Charlotte Ronson; catches up with Justin Timberlake for a behind-the-scenes look at his Fashion Week show; and chats with Taylor Swift about her style.  But there is a segment with Jessica Stam, who opens her closet to talk "how to make the most of what's already there," and Chanel catches up with Erin Fetherson to throw a dinner party, so definitely worth a look; it premieres this Saturday, March 21, at 3 PM EST/PST.

>> INSIDER WIRE —MTV's new House of Style featuring hosts Chanel Iman and Bar Refaeli, plus Erin Fetherston, apparently, has a premiere date: this upcoming Saturday, March 21, at 3 PM EST.  Also of note — apparently it's a special, not a series. [FWD]

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>> THE MODELIZER —It sounds like those rumors about Chanel Iman being co-host of the new House of Style along with Bar Refaeli were right — she's featured in a April 2009 Glamour spread as a young talent, and credited as "co-host of MTV's House of Style."  Bar said last month they were starting shooting shortly, so Chanel's been a busy girl, between that and walking the runways. [Glamour]
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>> INSIDER WIRE —The MTV revival of House of Style is so on — and Sports Illustrated cover model Bar Refaeli comes with it.  She confirmed that she starts shooting "right after all the parties for Sports Illustrated."  No word on whether Chanel Iman, who was also approached about hosting, signed on, but she is appearing on another show — Gossip Girl; she's said to have filmed a cameo last week. [Time, Daily Intel]

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>> INSIDER WIRE —Television's fascination with all things fashion continues — MTV is said to be reviving House of Style, the '90s show that focused on all things fashion and was hosted by Cindy Crawford, Amber Valletta, and Shalom Harlow throughout its 11-year run.  Contracts have gone out to Bar Rafaeli and Chanel Iman — maybe her ChanelImanTV channel was a tryout? — but neither has officially signed on yet.  If one falls through, Coco Rocha would be an entertaining option, as her Style.com videos prove. [Page Six]
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