Beyoncé, Kate Moss and, err, James Corden - just some of the hugely prestigious names who have walked for Fashion For Relief.
Now in its twelfth year, proceeds from the event on 21 May will go towards Save The Children's vital work in helping children caught in refugee crises, wars and natural disasters. We snatched five minutes with the show’s founder, and one of the original supers, Naomi Campbell.
Tell us about how Fashion For Relief came about.
When Hurricane Katrina happened in 2005, I was in New York, and watching it on the news. I thought, ‘We’re one week away from fashion week. What can we do?’ I remember calling Teddy Forstmann at IMG [the late billionaire philanthropist] and saying, ‘Teddy can we get a tent, do you think?’. And in seven days we put together the show.
Everyone came together, it was all really fast but we made it happen! Where there’s a will, there is a way. I can never ask for myself, but I can ask for a cause and a charity I feel passionate about. I don’t have a problem with that.
The show attracts huge stars - who inspires you personally?
Nelson Mandela. He was someone I knew for 20 years, I loved him. He taught me a lot of things that I treasure and will always treasure for the rest of my life. He was also someone that actually made me understand philanthropy which I didn’t have any understanding of before.
Can you recall your first meeting?
I met Mr Mandela when I was 22. He really opened my eyes, sending me out to the different townships in South Africa. I learnt a lot from him. I had wanted to raise funds and awareness for child refugees for a long time but everyone was like, ‘no it’s too political’.
It was great to team up with Save The Children, to go out [to the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan] and see for myself and know what I was feeling was right. I am glad I didn’t get swayed and I stuck to it. Children are innocent, they are caught in the crossfire. You just don’t discriminate when it comes to that. We can all do our part.
What are you most proud of?
I don’t know. I do what I do. I’m proud of friends and family who do great things and I’m happy to see the wonderful things that they do in helping others. I’m very proud to have gotten to know such a wonderful man such as Nelson Mandela for 20 years.
You’re a very formidable force in fashion – how would you friends describe you?
My friends can get away with teasing me about anything. I have a good sense of humour. I have mannerisms that they do imitations of.
Is there any part of your past which you’d like to go back and edit?
I don’t have regrets. I look forward, I don’t look backwards.
Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief, in aid of Save The Children, takes place on 21 May in Cannes Mandelieu Airport Hangar. Tickets are available on the website.
READ MORE: Naomi Campbell: I Have To Speak Up And Do Something