Supermodel, Naomi Campbell, will have her very own exhibit in 2024. Will you attend?
London’s Victoria and Albert Museum has announced an unprecedented exhibition celebrating the legendary multi-decade career of supermodel Naomi Campbell. Opening June 22, 2024 through April 6, 2025, the expansive showcase titled simply “Naomi” will pay tribute to Campbell’s global impact on fashion and culture.
Spanning over 30 years in the spotlight, the exhibition traces Campbell’s journey from prodigious runway talent to bonafide supermodel status. Her career-defining looks from the biggest designers will be on display along with iconic photographs by top fashion photographers.
Beyond the glamour, the exhibition also delves into Campbell’s philanthropic work and activism. As she reshaped perceptions of beauty and empowered Black models, she also leveraged her voice to champion diversity and social causes.
“Naomi Campbell’s extraordinary career intersects with the best of high fashion. She is recognized worldwide as a supermodel, activist, philanthropist and creative collaborator, making her one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture,” says V&A senior curator Sonnet Stanfill.
The expansive exhibition is set to include:
- 100+ stunning outfits showcasing Campbell’s runway work with designers like Versace, Alaia, McQueen and Galliano.
- Iconic editorial images shot by renowned photographers including Steven Meisel, Nick Knight and Tim Walker. Curated in part by Edward Enninful.
- Highlights of Campbell’s activism work and nonprofit initiatives she founded to empower underrepresented groups in fashion and creative fields.
- Personal items, videos, accessories and memorabilia chronicling her multi-faceted career on and off the catwalk.
Born in London in 1970 to a Jamaican mother and Chinese-Jamaican father, Campbell broke barriers as the first Black British model to front British Vogue at age 16 in 1987. She soon became a muse for eminent designers like Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent.
Campbell and fellow models Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington dominated runways and fashion magazines as the “Trinity” in the 1990s at the apex of supermodel fame. She holds the record for most American Vogue covers at 37 total.
Beyond fashion, Campbell branched into acting, business and philanthropic work, especially supporting Black models and designers. She founded initiatives like Emerge in South Africa to sponsor young talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
The V&A exhibition showcases the supermodel’s enduring cultural influence through the decades. “I’m honored to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world,” says Campbell.
Visitors will witness her meteoric rise from ingenue to supernova along with her tireless advocacy beyond the runway.
Key elements spotlighting Naomi Campbell as a trailblazer include:
- Wardrobe Archive – The breathtaking outfits that made her a muse to fashion’s greatest at the peak of supermodel couture.
- Iconic Images – Her portfolio of era-defining magazine editorials that made her beauty and style legendary.
- Barrier Breaker – How she opened doors as a pioneering Black British model and inspired generations.
- Multi-Hyphenate – Her impressive range as model, actress, activist, author and businesswoman.
- Cultural Impact – The enormous influence she wielded on fashion and society over 30+ years in the public eye.
The V&A’s unprecedented dive into Naomi Campbell’s work provides an intimate look at what made her an indispensable fixture from catwalk to pop culture. Through examining her prestigious collaborations, philanthropy and barrier-breaking career, “Naomi” encapsulates her profound impact on the fashion world and beyond.
The extensive exhibition stands as a fitting tribute to a living legend who redefined perceptions of beauty and used her platform to open doors for those who followed. Naomi Campbell’s extraordinary life and legacy will be on full display to inspire visitors when this must-see fashion retrospective opens in 2024.
NAOMI
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
June 22, 2024 – April 6, 2025
Get tickets here
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