Exhibition “Naomi: In Fashion” – from community work to the museum

The exhibition dedicated to Naomi Campbell will open on June 22. She is the first model to inspire Sonnet Stanfill, the exhibition’s curator, to create an extraordinary collection of garments associated with this fashion icon. This is a major event in both the art and fashion worlds. Naomi: In Fashion marks a unique moment—a tribute to a controversial icon who has gone from the runway to jail for throwing a phone at her assistant or attacking police officers, praised Fidel, and appeared in a Bob Marley music video.

Naomi: In Fashion – Dolce&Gabbana – the perfect outfit for community service

The number of antics, transgressions, and controversies surrounding Naomi Campbell is astonishing. Her list of fashion achievements is rivaled only by the number of at least questionable incidents she’s been involved in. Any other model would have been finished by now for outbursts of aggression and lack of humility. Yet with each passing year, Naomi becomes even more iconic. When people think of fashion, they picture the statuesque beauty from the UK.

The upcoming Naomi: In Fashion exhibition, showcasing creations associated with her, tells the story of the model through garments that mark significant moments in her life, further cementing her status.

Difficult moments in Naomi Campbell’s life

Naomi Campbell, born on May 22, 1970 in London, grew up surrounded by art. Her mother, a Jamaican dancer, was often away on international contracts, so Naomi mostly lived with her grandmother. At the age of five, she attended the Barbara Speake Stage School, followed by the Italia Conti school. Appearing on television and in music videos—including the iconic “Is This Love” by Bob Marley—was already part of her daily life as a child. At fifteen, she stepped onto the runway for the first time. She had to balance her early photo shoots with school, and after graduating, she was able to devote herself fully to modeling. Despite her early success, her youth was filled with challenges and difficult situations. It was more rebellion than necessity that led her to steal money during a stay in Paris.

She was offered help by Azzedine Alaïa, who became like a father to her. Later, she developed a close friendship with Gianni Versace.

Scandals and controversies of Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell has been at the center of numerous scandals throughout her career. She was known for her difficult personality, which led to frequent conflicts with agents and colleagues. Between 1998 and 2009, she was accused of violence 11 times, mostly against assistants and housekeepers. The most notorious incident involved an assault on Georgina Galanis, but her altercation aboard a British Airways flight was equally widely discussed. She was sentenced to community service for her acts of aggression. She marked the end of her sentence in a stunning gown by Dolce & Gabbana. It was anything but a gesture of humility.

Her addiction to cocaine also contributed to her turbulent image. In 2010, Campbell publicly admitted that she was seeking therapy to deal with issues related to childhood abandonment. Thanks to therapy and subsequent professional successes, including her participation in the show “The Face” and her charitable work, Naomi regained balance in her life.

Charisma and a New Chapter in Naomi Campbell’s Life

Naomi Campbell, despite numerous controversies, has earned immense respect and popularity in the fashion world. She has worked with top designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Gianni Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent, and has posed for renowned photographers including Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber.

Together with Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, she formed the so-called trinity of supermodels who supported her in fighting racism within the industry. In December 1987, she became the first Black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue since 1966. In 1988, she made her debut on the cover of the French edition. Today, after many years of a turbulent career, Naomi is a proud mother, though she does not reveal details about the child’s father. She currently lives in New York, focusing on the peace and stability that motherhood and therapy have brought her. Naomi Campbell continues to work in the industry, learning from the past and focusing on the future, with her daughter and self-development as key pillars.

Groundbreaking exhibition

Naomi Campbell will be honored with the exhibition “Naomi: In Fashion” at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The exhibition will run from June 22, 2024, to April 6, 2025. Created in collaboration with Campbell, the exhibition features over 100 pieces, including iconic outfits, accessories, and photographs that tell the story of her career. Highlights include the car-inspired Thierry Mugler corset from 1989, the pink Valentino ensemble from the 2019 Met Gala, and the Vivienne Westwood platforms that led to her famous runway fall in 1993.

Exhibition curator Sonnet Stanfill highlights the significance of these pieces as key moments in Campbell’s career. The display also features mementos from the darker chapters of her life, such as the Dolce & Gabbana dress she wore on her last day of community service in 2007, serving as a reminder of her complex and colorful past.

An extraordinary evening before the exhibition opening

The opening night of the Naomi: In Fashion exhibition was a dazzling and elegant event, attended by numerous renowned guests showing their support for the supermodel.

Naomi Campbell dazzled in a white maxi dress with a high slit and a plunging neckline. She accessorized with white sunglasses, silver jewelry, and peep-toe shoes. The event was attended by friends from the fashion industry, celebrities, and members of her family, who came to celebrate her remarkable career. Among the guests were fashion designers such as Donatella Versace and Valentino. Supermodels Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer were also present. The exhibition, sponsored by BOSS, is not only a tribute to her career but also an inspiration for future generations. The event highlights her tremendous impact on the fashion world and her unwavering status as one of the greatest style icons.