Naomi Campbell: Shoes worn by supermodel catwalk tumble to go on display at V&A

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London’s Victoria and Albert Museum has revealed extra particulars about its new exhibition chronicling the 40-year profession of British supermodel Naomi Campbell.

The exhibition will mark the primary time the South Kensington museum has held an exhibition focusing on the profession of a residing vogue mannequin.

NAOMI: In Fashion will hint key moments in Campbell’s profession and private life by displaying 100 curated outfits from her private wardrobe, comprised of ready-to-wear and high fashion ensembles.

Many of the items chosen typify key moments within the mannequin’s profession, together with a 1989 Thierry Mugler car-inspired bustier, the pair of blue Vivienne Westwood platform footwear worn when she famously tumbled on the catwalk in 1993 and her 2019 Met Gala Outfit by Versace.

Visitors can count on an enormous archive of items by designers akin to Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Burberry, Chanel, John Galliano, Virgil Abloh and Yves Saint Laurent, amongst others.

The exhibition may even function vogue images curated by former British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, with work by Campbell Addy, Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh and Steven Meisel.

The mannequin, now 53, was born in Streatham, London, and was scouted aged 15 in Covent Garden. She shortly rose to prominence and have become the primary Black mannequin to star on the quilt of Vogue Paris in 1988.

The exhibition is billed to focus on Campbell’s well-known activism work, by which she has advocated for race equality from an early age, becoming a member of the Black Girls Coalition in 1989 and fronting the 2007 ‘black issue’ of Vogue Italia.

NAOMI will recognise Campbell’s mentors akin to Nelson Mandela, who she credit because the inspiration behind her charity and philanthropic work. The pair knew one another personally, and he as soon as named Campbell his “honorary granddaughter”.

An extra part will study Campbell’s intense private {and professional} relationship with the late Tunisian-born, Paris-based designer Azzedine Alaïa – who she would name “Papa”. Alaïa opened up his dwelling and studio to the younger mannequin early on in her profession, and together with her mom’s permission, Campbell lived with the designer, his companion and their canine as she made her mark on the modelling {industry}.

Campbell usually posed for Alaïa, and collectively, the pair crafted runway magic and have been behind some industry-shaping editorial campaigns. A leopard-print knitwear bodysuit from Alaïa’s Autumn/Winter 1991 ready-to-wear assortment will function within the V&A exhibition, which was worn in {a photograph} by Herb Ritts in 1991 for Interview journal.

Campbell stated of the exhibition: “I’m honoured to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world.”

Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator, Fashion, V&A, stated: “Naomi Campbell’s extraordinary career intersects with the best of high fashion. She is recognised worldwide as a supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and creative collaborator, making her one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture.

“We’re delighted to be working with Naomi Campbell on this project and to celebrate her career with our audiences.”

Though this isn’t the primary time an exhibition a couple of residing particular person has taken place at the establishment – there was a showcase on Kylie Minogue’s life and profession in 2007 – the exhibition marks the primary celebration of a person residing mannequin’s profession.

On International Women’s Day, The Independent named Naomi Campbell on its affect listing, which charts the 50 most influential girls from quite a lot of worlds spanning the humanities, politics, enterprise and sports activities.

NAOMI: In Fashion, supported by BOSS, will run from 22 June 2024 to 6 April 2025. Tickets can be found on the V&A web site right here.