The V&A has announced a new exhibition on Naomi Campbell's 40-year modelling career, NAOMI. Discovered in Covent Garden at 15, she quickly rose to fame, achieving a historic milestone at 18 by becoming the first Black model to grace the cover of Paris Vogue in August 1988.
Image credit: V&A/Marco Bahler
The "NAOMI" exhibition, a collaboration with her, will showcase around 100 iconic outfits from designers like Chanel and Valentino. It will feature her extensive collection of haute couture and ready-to-wear outfits, as well as borrowed items from designer archives and the V&A's collection. The exhibition will showcase approximately 100 iconic looks from the world of high fashion, spanning her four-decade career. Visitors can expect to see designs by renowned names such as Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Ize, Valentino, Virgil Abloh, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and many others.
In addition to garments and accessories, fashion photography will play a prominent role. The exhibition will feature striking imagery from top photographers like Nick Knight, Steven Meisel, and Tim Walker, curated by Edward Enninful OBE. The exhibition is the latest in the V&A’s series of revelatory fashion exhibitions and follows Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto (2023); DIVA (2023); Africa Fashion (2022); Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear (2022); Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams (2019); Mary Quant (2019-2020), Fashioned from Nature (2018-2019), Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion (2017 – 2018) and Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear (2016 – 2017).
Campbell has recently received backlash for her collaboration with fast fashion brand Pretty Little Thing.
NAOMI will run from 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025. Ticket details to be announced at a later date.
Cover image: FMD, Naomi Campbell, June 1992
