Naomi Campbell exuded elegance as she unveiled her personal style narrative during the debut of her exhibition, NAOMI: In Fashion, on Thursday, March 13, at The Dorchester in London.
Decked out in a vintage suit ensemble by the iconic designer Alexander McQueen, the 53-year-old wealthy British supermodel effortlessly merged past and present.
Naomi Campbell exuding timeless elegance in an Alexander McQueen vintage suit at the opening of her personal style retrospective, NAOMI: In Fashion, at The Dorchester, London, on March 13, 2024 (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)
The choice of McQueen for this occasion was no coincidence. Not only does Campbell showcase rare vintage pieces, including some from McQueen, in her exhibition, but she has also long been a brand devotee.
Having graced numerous runways for Lee McQueen and his successor, Sarah Burton, the Variety Club Silver Heart Awardee’s affinity for McQueen’s aesthetic is palpable.
Merging Tribal and Western Fashion With McQueen
In a business-chic ensemble from McQueen’s Fall 2000 collection, named “Eshu” after a Yoruba deity, Campbell paid homage to the British fashion designer’s ability to fuse tribal influences with a Western lens.
Dressed in a selection from McQueen’s Fall 2000 “Eshu” collection, Naomi Campbell honors the legendary British designer’s talent for integrating tribal elements with contemporary fashion (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)
In my view, the former ballet dancer’s attire perfectly suits the occasion, as she crafted her ensemble around a chic, elongated grey blazer with solid shoulders and matching tailored trousers.
I appreciate her choice of a black satin shirt with an open collar neatly tucked into the wide-legged pants. This lends a refined touch to the overall look, though the original outfit featured a plunging neckline.
Personalizing the Runway Look
While the original ensemble was accessorized with white boots on the runway, Campbell personalized her appearance by opting for black pointed-toe stilettos, enhancing her model-esque stature.
These shoes complemented the monochromatic theme of her outfit. Nevertheless, white pumps could have injected a contrasting burst of color into her ensemble.
Naomi Campbell’s selection of black pointed-toe stilettos for the NAOMI: In Fashion exhibition debut perfectly encapsulates her sophisticated and timeless style (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)
Accessorizing With Elegance
She chose minimal accessories, a choice I admire, including a delicate gold necklace, a coordinating large ring, and black beaded bracelets.
The American Horror Story actress also wore black squared-framed sunglasses, adding a cool touch to her appearance.
Departing from the sleek runway look of slicked-back hair and black contacts, Campbell infused her flair to the outfit. She left her long dark tresses loose and wavy, paired with glamorous makeup, enhancing her natural beauty.
Naomi: In Fashion Exhibition – A Legacy of Style and Influence
Naomi Campbell’s remarkable trajectory spans countless catwalks, fashion campaigns, and collaborations with the industry’s leading designers and photographers.
Her story began in her youth when she was scouted at Covent Garden at a mere 15 years old. At 18, she etched her name in history as the first Black model to grace the cover of Paris Vogue in 1988, solidifying her place as one of the original supermodels of the 1990s alongside Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer.
The exhibition, Naomi: In Fashion, charts Naomi Campbell’s illustrious four-decade career, from groundbreaking moments to iconic collaborations (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)
Naomi: In Fashion, supported by BOSS following Campbell’s appearance in the Fall/Winter 2022 global campaign, promises to narrate the illustrious four-decade-long journey of her career.
According to an official statement, the exhibition, slated to open on June 22, 2024, and conclude on April 6, 2025, will blend Campbell’s extensive haute couture and ready-to-wear wardrobe with select pieces from designer archives and artifacts from the V&A’s collections.
Highlighting Iconic Moments and Designer Collaborations
Highlights will include a striking 1989 Thierry Mugler corset inspired by a car, Campbell’s ensemble from Sarah Burton’s final Alexander McQueen show, a memorable pink Valentino outfit worn at the 2019 Met Gala, and the infamous towering Vivienne Westwood platform shoes worn during her iconic catwalk fall in 1993.
Naomi Campbell’s NAOMI: In Fashion exhibition, highlighted by the reunion of the iconic blue Vivienne Westwood platforms with the complete outfit from her famous 1993 runway stumble, encapsulates her enduring influence and resilience in the fashion industry (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)
Celebrating a Legacy of Style and Influence
Visitors will also be treated to creations by an array of esteemed designers, including Azzedine Alaïa, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Ize, Torishéju Dumi, Virgil Abloh, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.