Fashion and Exhibition: "Naomi In Fashion" Opens at the V&A Museum, London - June 22 2024 - April 6 2025

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who is known for her unparalleled contributions to the fashion industry, needs no introduction.

Naomi Campbell is pictured with a silver beaded dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, which she wore in December 2019 when receiving the Fashion Icon Award at the British Fashion Council's awards ceremony; and a bondage dress by Azzedine Alaïa.
Photo by Dave BenettGetty Images for the Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is set to celebrate Naomi Campbell's legacy through an exhibition that highlights her trailblazing career, advocacy for diversity, and status as a cultural icon. Naomi has not only transformed the fashion industry but has also significantly influenced broader discussions about race, beauty standards, and representation. With a career that spans 40 years, and now a mother of two, she continues to be a symbol of excellence and resilience, inspiring new generations of models and fashion enthusiasts.

This marks the first exhibition of its kind, as noted by the V&A, exploring the extraordinary career of Naomi Campbell. It will cover her creative collaborations, activism, and vast cultural impact through the work of leading global designers and photographers. 

Born on May 22, 1970, in London, Naomi's career began at a young age and she quickly soared to international fame. She was one of the five original supermodels who dominated the 1980s and 1990s, alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Claudia Schiffer, solidifying her status as one of the most iconic and influential figures in the fashion industry.

 Azzedine Alaia was one of the fashion designers for whom Naomi Campbell modelled.

 

Renowned for her commanding walk and presence, Naomi Campbell's runway performances are legendary. Numerous fashion show footages in the exhibition testify to her iconic catwalk moves. She has graced the catwalk for virtually every major fashion house, including Versace, Chanel, Valentino, Thierry Mugler, and Azzedine Alaïa, the Tunisian-born couturier who became her mentor and father figure when Naomi was starting out in Paris. He frequently cast her in his shows and featured her in his campaigns, significantly boosting her career.

From the Thierry Mugler Archives. 
Photo courtesy of V&A Museum.

The infamous Vivienne Westwood blue platform shoes that have become iconic since Naomi's fall on catwalk in 1993, representing a daring moment in fashion history. 
Photo courtesy of V&A

The show includes more than 100 pieces of fashion, as well as personal photographs, and keepsakes like backstage passes, all pulled from Campbell’s personal archive. One particular window in the exhibition is done up like her personal dressing room, giving an intimate insight her chaotic life in the 1990s when she often stayed in hotels such as London Claridge's.  

A dressing room styled by Naomi Campbell with Virgina Rates, based on a room at London's Claridge's Hotel where Naomi often stayed in the 1990s.  It included Naomi's personal items and clothes, as well as furniture from Claridge's and the Soup Hat by Philip Treacy. Photo by Lucia Carpio

Siginificant items on show include the hazmat suit and poncho she famously wore to travel post-COVID, and  the Dolce & Gabbana silver gown she wore when she completed her community service as she wanted to walk out with her head held high.

Naomi is also famous for her little tumble on a catwalk while modelling for Vivienne Westwood. She was wearing a pair of towering, nine-inch (approximately 23 centimeters) blue platform heels. These shoes, designed by Westwood, are now infamous for their extreme height and the role they played in the fall. The platforms, known as the "Super Elevated Gillie," were made from luxurious materials and featured exaggerated proportions, epitomizing Westwood's bold and avant-garde design aesthetic.

An archival footage shows that despite the fall, Naomi handled the situation with grace and professionalism, quickly laughing it off and getting back up to continue her walk.

Naomi's first cover was on British Vogue December 1987 issue, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.
She is seen wearoing a gold jacket with blue breeches by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.  From Naomi's private collection, as shown at the V&A exhibition.

Naomi has graced the covers of numerous high-profile magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar. Her frequent appearances broke barriers and set new standards for diversity in fashion media.

NAOMI In Fashion at the V&A, 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025. Photo by Marco Bahler

Often referred to as a trailblazer, she is noted as the first black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue, in 1988, and the first black model on the September cover of American Vogue, in 1989.

Naomi Campbell's impact extends far beyond her modeling achievements. She represents progress and empowerment for black individuals in a predominantly white industry. 

Promotion of Naomi Campbell in a shop window of Hugo Boss (a sponsor of the V&A Naomi exhibition) on London's Regent Street.   To celebrate the exhibition at the V&A, BOSS has designed two limited-edition garments exclusively for the V&A.  Photo by Lucia Carpio

Naomi has also leveraged her platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the fashion industry, vocally championing increased representation of people of colour on runways, in magazines, and in executive roles within fashion houses.

Naomi In Fashion is running at the V&A Museum, London from June 24 2024 to April 6 2025.

Fashion and Culture: NAOMI: In Fashion - 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025 at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London

Renowned as a global icon in the realm of fashion, Naomi Campbell gracing magazine covers and leading prestigious catwalk shows has become synonymous with her illustrious career. 

The NAOMI: In Fashion exhibition presents Naomi's expansive collection of haute couture and top-tier ready-to-wear outfits, complemented by contributions from designer archives and selections from the V&A's own collection. In the image above, Naomi models one of her favourite ensembles by Alexander McQueen, surrounded by other notable designs. From left to right, we see creations by Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize, showcased at Paris Fashion Week; an elegant Alexander McQueen gown, worn at the 2019 Fashion Icon Awards; a timeless piece by Azzedine Alaïa; a sophisticated grey pantsuit and matching coat from the BOSS 2023 campaign; and the iconic Vivienne Westwood platform shoes, immortalised by her infamous catwalk stumble.
Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the Victoria & Albert Museum 

Now, poised to take center stage at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in a major exhibition dedicated solely to her, the aura of her stardom is set to ascend to new heights. This week, the V&A has unveiled further details about NAOMI: In Fashion, supported by BOSS and slated to commence this summer, offering an immersive journey through Campbell's unparalleled four-decade-long journey as a fashion model and cultural luminary. 

Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator, Fashion, V&A, said: “Naomi Campbell’s extraordinary career intersects with the best of high fashion. She is recognised worldwide as a supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and creative collaborator, making her one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture. We’re delighted to be working with Naomi Campbell on this project and to celebrate her career with our audiences.”

Naomi Campbell said: “I’m honoured to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world.
Photo (c) Steven Meisel

A pioneer in her field, Campbell's iconic prowess on the catwalk and her transformative collaborations with top fashion houses, publications, and renowned photographers have solidified her status as a perennial presence in the global fashion landscape. Beyond her runway feats, Campbell's influence extends into cultural leadership, activism, and advocacy for emerging creatives, transcending conventional boundaries of the fashion model role.

The V&A Museum stated that the "groundbreaking exhibition" had been crafted with the model's creative guidance and supervision. Campbell, now a mother of two and continuing to thrive, was among the pioneering individuals dubbed as a "supermodel" - a term reserved for models who have attained international fame - alongside her contemporaries Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Claudia Schiffer.
As the sponsor of the exhibition, BOSS proudly showcases Naomi Campbell in its storefront window on
Regent Street in London.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Developed in close collaboration with Campbell herself, NAOMI: In Fashion promises to be a groundbreaking exhibition, amplifying her voice and perspective. Drawing from Campbell's personal haute couture and ready-to-wear wardrobe spanning pivotal moments in her career, as well as contributions from designer archives and items from the V&A's collections, the exhibition will offer a comprehensive portrayal of her impact.

Courtesy Mugler Archives. Photo Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Among the highlights are a striking Thierry Mugler corset inspired by a car from 1989, a memorable ensemble from Sarah Burton's final Alexander McQueen show, a radiant Valentino outfit worn at the 2019 Met Gala, and the towering Vivienne Westwood platform shoes famously worn by Campbell during her iconic 1993 catwalk mishap. 

Courtesy Azzedine Alaïa Foundation. Photo Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Featuring approximately 100 looks and accessories representing the pinnacle of global haute couture, the exhibition will showcase designs by top designers and brands such as Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Ize, Torishéju Dumi, Valentino, Virgil Abloh, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

This exhibition showcases Naomi's extensive wardrobe of haute couture and leading ready-to-wear ensembles, supplemented by loans from designer archives and items from the V&A collection.  It delves into the amazing 40-year career of British fashion model.  Regarded as a pioneer in her field, Campbell's renowned ability to dominate the catwalk, coupled with her unique collaborations with major fashion houses, publications, and top photographers, ensure her enduring presence in both the fashion industry and the British cultural milieu.

Beyond her modeling feats, she extends her influence through cultural leadership, activism, and advocacy for emerging talents, transcending the conventional confines of the fashion model role.

Naomi Campbell behind the scenes in the fashion and textile department of the V&A Museum.

In addition to showcasing exquisite garments and fashion accessories, the exhibition places a significant emphasis on fashion photography. A curated selection of captivating imagery by esteemed photographers including Campbell Addy, Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, and Steven Meisel will be featured, curated by the British editor and stylist Edward Enninful OBE who was the editor-in-chief of British Vogue and the European editorial director of Condé Nast. 

Furthermore, the exhibition will pay tribute to Campbell's mentors, among them notable figures such as Nelson Mandela, whose advocacy inspired her to utilize her platform for social change. Campbell's commitment to equity dates back to her involvement with the Black Girls Coalition in 1989 and her prominent role in fronting the groundbreaking 'black issue' of Vogue Italia in 2007. Alongside Bethann Hardison and Iman, she has been a steadfast advocate for The Diversity Coalition since 2013, advocating for increased diversity on the catwalk.

Additionally, the exhibition will shine a spotlight on Campbell's ongoing support of emerging creatives, demonstrated through initiatives such as Arise Fashion Week and her global venture, EMERGE, established in 2022.

Paris leading fashion store Printemps unveils Christmas windows on behalf of LOEWE

The launch ceremony of Paris Printemps Haissmann's Christmas shop window sponsored by the fashion house of LOEWE, was co-hosted by French actress ISABELLE HUPPERT and catwalk supremo NAOMI CAMPBELL, 
alongside Jean-Marc Bellaiche, CEO of PRINTEMPS.

For more than 155 years, Printemps Hausmann in Paris has been the ultimate shopping destination during the festive season in the celebrated City of Lights. The iconic store's enchanting Christmas window display is a true benchmark, and every year delights several million people passing by the Boulevard Haussmann in Paris.

This year, for the holiday season at Printemps, Santa Claus is playing the role of Ringmaster “Monsieur Loyal” and bringing his troupe along for an extravagant tour of shows that will amaze kids and adults alike.

In the meantime, Printemps is going international, having already announced its upcoming opening, in the Spring of 2024, in the historic 50 story landmark building at 1 Wall Street, in New York City, bringing the French Touch to the Big Apple, and making this new spot a fashion reference.

This new address will be part of Printemps’ international development, following the launch of the English version of the Printemps.com website.

The website is available in the UK and is devoted to its British customers, with prices indicated in pounds sterling. Personal stylists and customer services are happy to help in English, when contacted.