Last year, the British Fashion Council confirmed what we've always known: Naomi Campbell is an icon. The supermodel was named as the recipient of a special Icon Award, announcing the honour at an event at The Ritz before the big night at the Royal Albert Hall. Ever since she was discovered at the age of 15, Naomi has proved herself as Britain's most powerful ambassador in fashion and beyond. Here are her best moments on her 50th birthday.
She's a bonafide supermodel
Many models lay claim to the title of supermodel – but very few were there at the beginning. Naomi was among the small group of women to be christened as 'super' in the Nineties heyday. She graced the cover of British Vogue in 1990 alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz. Now that's a fashion moment.
Naomi adds Stephanie Seymour and Kate Moss to the group. 'We never cared about fame, we never thought about the word “celebrity”,' Naomi told Grazia earlier this year. 'We just kept on working and it was for the creativity and the prestige.'
Supermodel on a plane
You are definitely going to want Naomi around for a long-haul flight when travel restrictions are lifted. She went viral last year after posting a clip of her pre-flight process. It involves a breathing mask, soft blankets and a LOT of wet wipes. And that was before Coronavirus. Since the pandemic hit, she has since been taking selfies in full hazmat suits while she travels.
That fall...
We've all seen it. In 1993, Naomi walked in Vivienne Westwood's show, wearing a pair of perilous heels. Unsurprisingly, she tripped. But she got back up – and her show of resilience endeared her to the world. In fact, she says that designers would later ask her to fall on purpose, so that they could make the most of the publicity.
Iconic.
Meeting Mandela
In 1990, while judging a Miss World competition in South Africa, Naomi received a phone call. 'I was told, "You are leaving tomorrow to Johannesburg; the president wants to meet you." I couldn’t believe it.' She met Nelson Mandela the next day and they became firm friends. She called him her honorary grandfather.
Charity begins at home
In 2005, Naomi founded Fashion For Relief, which raises money to improve the lives of those living in adversity by uniting the fashion industry as a force for good. Since its creation, her efforts – which include star-studded events – have raised millions. In 2018, she teamed up to fight AIDS through fashion, working with Marc Jacobs on a fund-raising T-shirt.
READ MORE: Grazia Meets Naomi Campbell