A walk through London’s Covent Garden for me means dodging tourists, street performers, and the occasional phone theft in search of peace. For Naomi Campbell, it meant discovery into a legendary modelling career; some people really do take different routes through life. Scouted at just fifteen at the heart of my personal nightmare, she swiftly carved out a place for herself at the forefront of the industry, paving the way as Britain’s first Black supermodel.
Only three years later, at the age of eighteen, she became the first Black model to feature on the cover of Vogue Paris. Now, forty years on, she continues to break new ground as the first supermodel ever to have an exhibition exploring her life. The paths she’s forged adorn the V&A space in their latest exhibition, Naomi In Fashion, running until Spring 2025. In her own words, “I’m honoured to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world.”
Upon entering the space, four decades of iconic high fashion envelop you from every angle, with around one hundred looks that have journeyed alongside Campbell. Among these are pieces from industry figures such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood (yes, the infamous platform shoes she fell off of are there), Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Virgil Abloh and many others. To understand the exhibit, one must also understand Naomi’s personal relationship with all of these designers, with whom she’s worked for over three decades on runway shows, campaigns, parties, and personal events in their lives.
Further into the space, you find an installation curated by Edward Enninful OBE, featuring stunning imagery by notable fashion photographers such as Tim Walker, Nick Knight, and Steve Meisel. Among the highlights, the exhibition will spotlight her unwavering support of diversity and emerging creatives, while also acknowledging Campbell’s mentors, such as Nelson Mandela, whose impact sparked her dedication to social justice.
On until April 2025, feel that unparalleled impact at V&A South Kensington, revelling in its peaceful distance from the hustle that is Covent Garden.