Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum to celebrate 40 years of the ‘Black Venus’.
It was in 1985 when a 15-year-old girl was walking around Covent Garden and was scouted by modeling agents. Three years later, that young woman became the first Black model to be featured on the cover of Vogue Paris wearing Yves Saint Laurent
Words CAROLINA BENJUMEA
Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is hosting an exhibition to celebrate the 40-year career of Naomi Campbell. Naomi in Fashion retraces the haute couture and ready-to-wear pieces that the model brought to life throughout her professional career, as well as the iconic moments and legendary images she created alongside couturiers and photographers.
Curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator of Fashion, and featuring over 100 looks loaned from the model’s own wardrobe, this exhibit aims to portray the influence Campbell has had on the fashion industry, culture, and the promotion of diversity. Looks from Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Ize, Valentino, Vivienne Westwood, and more will be showcased. However, this is the first time an exhibition at the V&A focuses on the wearer rather than the creator.
A room dedicated to her close relationship with couturier Azzedine Alaïa is also featured in the two-floor exhibition. During the Apple+ documentary The Supermodels, Campbell recalls, “He introduced me to so much of the world (…) I met so many extraordinary people. I learned about art, architecture, design, and most importantly, I got to watch him work. (…) He really treated me like his daughter.” Naomi would grow to become one of his closest muses and inspirations, referring to him as her ‘Papa’.
The exhibition also includes some of the most important photographic work she created alongside photographers like Nick Knight, Steven Meisel, and Tim Walker. It also features a tribute to her mentors and those who inspired her to speak out against social injustice and advocate for equity, such as Nelson Mandela, Iman, and Bethann Hardison, with whom she co-founded the Black Girls Coalition.
Beyond her aesthetics and legendary wardrobe, Naomi in Fashion portrays her as more than just a supermodel, but also as an agent of change and a diversity advocate. It highlights her cultural significance and the role she played in shaping fashion history.
Naomi in Fashion will be on display until April 6, 2025, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition will be accompanied by a book featuring insights into the exhibit and contributions from Campbell herself.
