October 5, 2023 |
Nobody does it quite like Naomi Campbell, and the V&A knows it. The renowned museum and host of stellar fashion exhibitions like Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto has just added another to its roster – a chronicle of the supermodel’s high-flying career, running from June 22 2024 to April 6 2025. Scouted in Covent Garden at 15, the industry polymath rose to prominence in the 1980s, becoming the first Black model to feature on the cover of Paris Vogue in 1988. Since then, she has worked with the best of the best, honing her craft like most never will – becoming arguably the world’s most famous model in the process.
Her unparalled success has meant Campbell has accumulated a healthy wardrobe chock-a-block with haute couture, which will form the base of the exhibition. Featuring around 100 looks from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Donatella Versace, John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld, the garments will be accompanied by selected imagery from Campbell’s collaborations with photographers such as Nick Knight, Steven Meisel and Tim Walker, curated by her dear friend and British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful.
Visitors can also expect a storyline detailing Campbell’s most recognisable mentors, including Nelson Mandela, who is credited with encouraging the supermodel to use her platform to institute change. As a result, Campbell has been a consistent advocate for equality, campaigning with The Diversity Coalition for increased diversity on the catwalk and championing emerging creatives through founding initiatives such as Emerge in 2022.
Speaking on the announcement, Campbell noted “I’m honoured to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world.” Sonnet Stanfill, the senior curator of tashion at the 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.”
Ticket details are set to be announced at a later date.
Photography courtesy of V&A.
