Siraj Iddris
Chanel Ayan is a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. Born in Kenya to Somali and Ethiopian parents, Ayan has made a name for herself as a supermodel, businesswoman, and TV personality. Her striking beauty and undeniable talent have led her to work with some of the top designer brands in the world, including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Valentino among others. She is also an entrepreneur who runs a makeup brand by the name of Ayan Beauty and Ayan Skin alongside makeup artist, Toni Malt. Ayan’s rise to fame is a testament to her hard work, determination, and unwavering passion for the fashion industry. She is also a television personality who starred in the Bravo reality series “The Real Housewives of Dubai” which she joined in the show’s first season in 2022.
But who really is Ayan aside her modelling and television appearances? In this article, we will delve into the life and career of this remarkable woman, exploring her journey to success and the impact she has had on the fashion world.
Chanel Ayan Bio.
Chanel Ayan whose maiden name is Ayan Pilott, is a Kenyan-born, Somali-Ethiopian super-model, businesswoman and TV personality who was born on June 7, 1978 and is currently 45 years old. She was born in the Kenyan-Ugandan border-town of Malaba to Somali and Ethiopian parents but currently resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She was raised by her mother as her father was a deadbeat alcoholic. She has been through some things and life has not always been kind but she is a fighter who has persevered through thick and thin. At the age of 5, she was subjected to the cruel practice of female genital mutilation by her grandmother and aunt in order to prevent her from having sex until marriage. At the age of 14, she was unsuccessfully subjected to an unlawful marriage by her father but she managed to escape with the aid of her sister. She grew up in an orphanage because her father abandoned her and moved on. She is a positive woman who uses her platform to combat female genital mutilation and other wicked practices that female children are subjected to in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world. She currently boasts of over 438 thousand followers on her Instagram where she mostly shares her beauty products and eye-catching photos. She is reportedly from a Muslim household but it is unclear whether she still follows the same faith.
Educational Background.
Growing up in a town on the Kenyan-Ugandan border, she had her education in both countries, attending a host of primary and secondary schools in both countries. She has not provided information regarding her educational qualifications so it is unclear whether she attended college or not.
Parents & Siblings.
It is reported she was born to Ethiopian and Somali parents in Kenya. She was raised by her mother as her father was in and out of her life battling alcoholism. She has not revealed any information with respect to her parent’s name or occupations. Per reports, she has five siblings of which Irfah and Sadik are the only ones she has made any information known about them due to her close relationship with them.
Is she Related to Ubah Hassan?
She is the cousin of the Somali-Canadian Model, businesswoman and member of the cast of the reality TV show, “The Real Housewives of New York City”, Ubah Hassan.
Husband and Kid(s).
She is the wife of Lucas Salves, an American from Idaho whom she met in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The couple met when she was just 17 years old and have been together ever since. They got married in a private ceremony in Brazil. The couple share a 14-year old son by the name of Taj Salves whom she birthed in 2008. She currently resides in Dubai with her family.
Physical Features.
The gracefulness of her physique is highlighted by her stunning height of 5 feet 10 inches and an average body weight of 59 kilograms. Her height and weight contribute to her having a lean physique which in turn contributes to her runway presence. She is a very beautiful woman whose beauty is characterized by her luscious black hair and her mesmerizing brown eyes.
Career.
She had a very rough childhood and as such as such, she moved to Sao Paolo, Brazil, to pursue a career in modelling. She later relocated to New York City as part of the elite models and eventually relocated to Dubai where she has been ever since 2005. She has graced several fashion houses as a model which includes Chanel, Moschino, Valentino, Cartier, Louis Vuitton among others. She set record as the first black person to work in an advertising campaign for Emirates and the Dubai Tourism Company and also to feature on the cover of a Dubai-based magazine. She has appeared on the cover of high-rated magazines such as Vogue Arabia, American Vogue, Vogue Italia, Forbes, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar among others. She became the head of the runway for Miss Universe UAE. She joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Dubai in 2022, the show’s first premiere and season. She is also an entrepreneur who runs a makeup brand by the name of Ayan Beauty and Ayan Skin alongside makeup artist, Toni Malt.
Net Worth.
According to sources, the amount of money Chanel Ayan has in her possession is $2 million as of 2023. She gained her net worth over the course of her career as a model, businesswoman and television personality. She is a very hardworking and determined woman which accounts for her success.
Trivia.
| Info | Answer |
| Maiden Name | Ayan Pillot |
| Current Name | Chanel Ayan |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1978 |
| Age | 45 years |
| Birthplace | Malaba, Kenya |
| Current Residence | Dubai, UAE |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Weight | 59 kilograms |
