Legendary supermodel Iman (sitting) hosts Slice’s Project Runway Canada, which finds 12 designer hopefuls competing for the chance to become the next big name in Canadian fashion.

The difference between an everyday model and an icon is the effect they have on those who await them. Minutes before Iman is to arrive at a luxury Toronto hotel, assistants bustle and room service is begged to hurry.

Decked out in a second skin of tight dark denim, white cotton tank top and a shimmering jacket of gold lame, the Somalian-born legend enters the room exactly on time and quiets the ruckus with a nonchalant grin. “This is what I am after,” she says, pouring herself a cup of coffee, adding a packet of Splenda.

The premiere episode of Project Runway Canada is playing on a flat-screen TV. “You’re watching the show, so you’re way ahead of me,” says its host with a light pat on my forearm that could have been construed as flirtatious if she hadn’t been Mrs. David Bowie for the past 15 years. “I’m not nervous about it, but I just don’t want it to be boring. Having been in this business for so long, I know fashion is entertaining, weird and like a circus — they literally set up tents. It’s all about the ‘It bag’ and ‘Black is the new black,’ and we don’t want that on the show. We really hope to help launch a great Canadian designer, and, of course, entertain.”