Naomi Campbell became a cult figure of the 1990s with her feline gaze, dynamic personality and biting comebacks and has dominated the fashion scene ever since. On the occasion of her birthday, 22 May, we run down 11 ways she became an emblematic figure of the industry.
She lit up the Nineties alongside Kate Moss
Naomi Campbell inspired a whole generation with her feline features, flowing mane of hair, slender figure and fiery personality. At just 16 years old, the London girl headed for Paris to make her catwalk debut for Azzedine Alaïa, taking the first step in a stellar career. Over the course of the 1990s, she rose to fame alongside supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Carla Bruni, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer, gracing an ever-increasing number of runways and magazine covers. Twenty years later, the supers reunited for the Versace Spring/Summer 2018 show in Milan, as part of a tribute to designer Gianni Versace, who helped cultivate their careers during the 1990s.
She is the eternal muse of Azzedine Alaïa, who she called ‘papa’
Franco-Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa passed away on November 18, 2017 at the age of 77, and left behind a powerful legacy of glamour and elegance. Naomi Campbell was devastated by the loss: it was the designer, who she affectionately nicknamed ‘papa’, who helped her modeling career to blossom when she first arrived in Paris in 1986. The model paid tribute to Alaïa by returning to the catwalk for the house’s Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2018 show.
- Fashion culture12 throwback shots of David Beckham in the 2000s
She featured in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 music video
When supermodels Linda Evangelista, Tatjiana Patitz, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell came together in George Michael’s iconic Freedom! ‘90 music video in 1990, directed by David Fincher, they created a fashion moment. The model spoke about the appearance on American show The View in January 2017, a month after the singer’s death: “I was coming straight from a Thierry Mugler show. We had to fly on the first flight out and go Paris to London, right to set. I was exhausted, but so happy to be there, to work with David Fincher – and so happy that George chose the five of us.”. And the following year, when Gianni Versace chose the five supermodels to open his Spring/Summer 1991-1992 show, they took to the runway to the sound of Freedom! ’90.
She inspired Disney’s Pocahontas
After launching a career as a singer with the release of her Baby Woman album in 1994, Naomi Campbell has taken part in several film projects since the early 1990s. She appeared in American series and films including The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Ugly Betty, in which she made a cameo as herself, and will this year feature in Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein’s comedy I Feel Pretty, alongside Emily Ratajkowski, Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams. Disney was also inspired by her unique features in the sketches for the eponymous protagonist of Pocahontas.
- Fashion culture12 throwback shots of David Beckham in the 2000s
She did her community service in a Dolce & Gabbana dress
Naomi Campbell has always refused to play by the rules. In January 2007, the then-36-year-old model was sentenced to five days of community service by a New York courtroom, after throwing her phone at assistant Ana Scolavino in a fit of rage. In true Naomi style, she arrived at the administrator’s office wearing a long, metallic Dolce & Gabbana dress, belted at the waist, on the last day of her work as a cleaner.
She keeps a bottle of hot sauce in her handbag
The British model unexpectedly revealed that she never goes anywhere without a bottle of her favorite hot sauce.
She is a contributing editor of British Vogue
Editor-in-chief of Vogue UK Edward Enninful, announced on Instagram in July 2017 that he had hired Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Grace Coddington and Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen as contributors to the magazine: “As two of the biggest international style influencers and supermodels, the impact Naomi and Kate have in today’s culture is enormous.”
- Fashion culture12 throwback shots of David Beckham in the 2000s
Lady Diana invited Naomi Campbell to Kensington Palace
In the 1990s, supermodel mania even spread to Kensington Palace, when Princess Diana invited Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington to surprise Prince William when he returned from school. The Duke of Cambridge recalled the event in the August 2017 documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, stating “She organized to have Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell waiting at the top of the stairs when I came home from school. I was probably a 12 or 13 year-old boy who had posters of them on his wall.”
Naomi Campbell has her own doll
Tapping into the public’s fascination with supermodels, Hasbro released a series of dolls in winter 1996, depicting Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Karen Mulder. Campbell’s was right on trend for the 1990s, wearing a candy pink and black evening dress.
She was recognized as a fashion icon at the CFDA 2018
Naomi Campbell was honored with the Fashion Icon Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards 2018, June 4 in Brooklyn. The award recognizes her supermodel career and influence on the fashion world, both during her modeling years and more recently in her role as contributing editor to Vogue UK. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by the CFDA with this year’s Fashion Icon Award,” Naomi Campbell revealed to Vogue. “Being from London, my personal style has always been tremendously influenced by both the dynamic, ever-changing nature of street culture and the music scene. I grew up in this industry and I’m forever grateful to the iconic American fashion designers who have supported me and celebrated me throughout my career.”
She was stunning on the cover of British Vogue in March 2022
Naomi Campbell, 51, starred on the cover of the March 2022 issue of British Vogue. Photographed by Steven Meisel, she wore Valentino while carrying her baby daughter. Upon publication, the mother-daughter image took the internet by storm within minutes.
- Fashion culture12 throwback shots of David Beckham in the 2000s
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Read more on Vogue.fr:
Uma Thurman and Levon Roan: A heartwarming mother-son bond shines at Cannes
Linda Evangelista: Her style in 48 vintage shots
Jennifer Lopez's best little black dresses in 11 images
More from Vogue France on YouTube:
