19/05/25
From Catwalks to Culture: Naomi Campbell’s Impact at the V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum, most commonly recognized as the V&A, is our nation’s national treasure.
It was established in 1852 as the Museum of Manufactures, housed at Marlborough House in Pall Mall, before relocating to Somerset House in Central London. The cultural institution later reimagined itself in 1857 on Exhibition Road, South Kensington as the Victoria and Albert Museum in honour of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, reigning monarch and Prince Consort during the Victorian era.
Sir Henry Cole, the V&A’s first director from 1857 to 1873, cited his vision of the V&A as being a “schoolroom for everyone.” 168 portraits later, our national treasure has transitioned into a global incubator of creative esteem, cultural awareness, and history reimagined. With its mission to be recognised as the world’s leading museum of art, design, and performance, I don’t think it came as too much of a surprise when it was announced that an exhibition celebrating world-renowned supermodel, humanitarian, and entrepreneur Naomi Campbell would be coming to the V&A from 22nd June 2024 to 6th April 2025.
The exhibition unveiled Naomi’s exceptional career and dominance in the fashion and modelling industries, spanning from 1986 at the youthful age of 15 to present day. When I initially learned about Naomi In Fashion, I was filled with a sense of pure rapture. A young black girl from South-West London who made it big and proceeded to have a long-standing career, paving the way for Black British excellence, has an exhibition championing her in the V&A? I’m so here for it. On Tuesday, 1st April, I made my way to South Kensington, travelling off-peak to avoid the rush-hour commuters. However, I always seem to forget that the V&A is part of the Museum Mile, which is home to The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum. So, attempting to travel to this area in the hopes of avoiding the crowds is, dare I say it, a bit of wishful thinking. Nonetheless, a few accidental shoulder bumps later, I made it to South Kensington, all the way through the tunnel to the museum’s entrance. I headed to the exhibition space, showed my ticket to the Museum Attendant, and began my experience of Naomi In Fashion.
In true Naomi fashion, as you enter, the exhibit starts with a video montage of Naomi being “the” moment on multiple catwalks. I sense that this video was designed to introduce us visitors to the exhibit and remind us that we were about to immerse ourselves in something truly memorable.
Becoming Naomi / The Supermodel / Relationship with Azzedine Alaïa
This section presented the early stages of Naomi’s modelling career. As a child featuring in music videos for artists such as Bob Marley and Culture Club; to later, being scouted at age 15 by model agent Beth Boldt in London’s Covent Garden. Initially aspiring to a career in the performing arts, it was nostalgic to see Naomi’s ballet pumps and childhood portrait, before quickly transitioning to photos of her in editorial campaigns. I had to do a double take when I saw what looked like a backstage fashion show pass for designer Yves Saint Laurent. Just wow.
The fashions were fashioning. It’s remarkable how many pieces Naomi helped make iconic.
From Karl Lagerfeld’s tweed lavender tunic and jacket for Chanel, to Yves Saint Laurent’s champagne feather cocktail dress, her unique personality, personal style, and confidence transformed these creations into symbols of elegance and power, cementing her place as a fashion muse for the ages.
Progressing through, I learned about Naomi’s close relationship with the late Tunisian Couturier, Azzedine Alaïa. Alaïa had coined Naomi his “ma fille” (“my daughter” in French), and Naomi describing Alaïa as “papa”. A fruitful relationship spanning 3 decades – together they created runway magic and editorial gold.
New York Fashion Scene, Media Scrutiny
The next space explored Naomi’s journey into the New York fashion scene and the relationships she cultivated with designers such as Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui.
One particular standout piece in this space was a projection panel featuring Polaroid catwalk shots of Naomi, which you could zoom into using a magnifying glass. I felt like I was looking through the lens of a catwalk photographer— this was very surreal.
The exhibition didn’t shy away from some of Naomi’s more controversial career moments, which included the iconic Dolce & Gabbana gown she wore on her final day of community service at the New York City Department of Sanitation. I’m glad they included this, as it highlights that no matter how influential or remarkable you are, no one is above critique.
Collaborative Influence and trailblazing archetype
I made my way upstairs to a space where you could see Naomi’s collaborative spirit and her innate ability to inspire designers, photographers, and creatives alike. It was refreshing - a real eye-opener to observe the plethora of designers, across generations, with whom Naomi has collaborated.
Streamed across the white walls was a carefully curated selection of Naomi magazine covers and timeless campaigns, all handpicked by Edward Enninful, OBE.
This space offered a graceful, reflective conclusion to the Naomi in Fashion exhibit, leaving me with an
inspirational and empowering sense of gratitude for Naomi's enduring impact on the fashion world.
In conclusion...
Naomi in Fashion was more than just an exhibition—it was a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the unapologetic power of being yourself. From her ground-breaking contributions to the fashion industry to her role as a trailblazer for Black women in fashion, Naomi’s journey is a testament to her unyielding spirit. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or simply in awe of someone who broke barriers and rewrote the rules, this exhibition offered a rich, multidimensional experience that was well worth the shoulder bumps and the hour-long commute to Museum Mile.
