Put away your mobile phones, it’s time to pay tribute to the icon who opened Versace couture.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Naomi Campbell kicked off the autumn/winter 2013 haute couture collections in Paris last night by opening Versace. This is kind of amazing.
Campbell shot to superstardom as one of Gianni’s favorite models (she still describes him as a “brother”). But she hasn’t worked with the label for 15 years since she fell out with Donatella – Campbell announced at an impromptu press conference that the latter had been “treating [her] like a stranger for months“.
Happily, it seems that the two have patched up just in time for AW13. As Donatella puts it: “I started this Atelier Versace collection by dreaming about the perfect aesthetic of the black-and-white era. I wanted to make it new, and pictured a sexy and sophisticated woman with a strong attitude. Only a true icon like Naomi Campbell could open this show.”
After all, nothing screams Naomi Campbell more than a plunging, bejeweled basque. So in honour of Campbell’s return to the runway, we thought we’d list 12 more of our favourite Naomi moments.
1. That time she raced a cheetah
Jean-Paul Goude’s spin on Richard Avedon’s 50s photographs saw Campbell run with a cheetah for Harper’s Bazaar. Obviously, the cheetah lost.
2. That time she wore a crotchtastic Chanel bikini
Not everyone can get away with a Chanel-branded crotch logo. Unless you’re Naomi Campbell, that is.
3. That time she fell over at a Vivienne Westwood show and just styled it out
Most models look terrified when they slip on the runway. In 1993, Naomi made it look fun.
4. That time she appeared on Absolutely Fabulous
Joanna Lumley and Naomi Campbell are a match made in heaven.
5. That time she wrote a novel
Yes, Naomi Campbell has written a book. That would be 1997’s Swan. (Make that ghostwritten. Campbell explained that she “just did not have the time to sit down and write a book”).
6. That time she tried to launch a singing career
In 1995, she released her album babywoman. This single reached No. 40 on the UK charts. For some inexplicable reason, the video features Naomi as a Bollywood circus dancer.
7. That time she appeared on Cribs
She bought the house in Jamaica where Ian Fleming wrote all the James Bond novels, because she could.
8. All the times she went clubbing with Kate Moss
If we could somehow live inside a photo, it would be this one.
9. This exchange between Coco Rocha and Naomi on The Face
Why are we so excited about this show coming to the UK? This is why.
10. That time she appeared in a Michael Jackson video
Before Michael Jackson’s plastic surgery exploits took a turn for the worst, he made this video. And it’s still fucking amazing.
11. Every time she walks a runway, period
There’s a reason she’s an OG supermodel. If you need any more convincing, check out the video Susie Bubble shot at Versace yesterday. There’s Naomi walking… and then there’s all the other lesser models.
A V moment…. Naomi walking @versace by @susiebubble
This post is brought to you by Naomi Campbell praying for you:
Words: Zing Tsjeng (Follow Zing on Twitter @misszing)