Naomi Campbell

Born: London, England, 1970

Naomi Campbell was born in London in 1970 and her work as a model has made her a household name across the world.

She sits alongside other great models such as Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington as one of the most iconic supermodels of  all time and is grouped into that infamous group of ‘Supers’.

Naomi’s career began at a very young age, she appeared in a music video for Bob Marley for the song ‘Is This Love’ at the tender age of seven, and her success continued from there as she appeared in a children’s television series later that year.

When she was 15 Naomi was scouted by Beth Boldt, head of Synchro model agency while she was shopping in Covent Garden. From this moment Naomi’s career took off and didn’t stop, before she was 16 she had already appeared on the cover of Elle and she was a frequent face on high end magazine covers and of course on the catwalk from then onwards.

Naomi was a stand out face in the fashion industry and soon appeared walking for prestigious designers such as Versace, Azzedine Alaia, Isaac Mizrahi and many more.

Naomi is still one of the best known and most successful black models of all time, her career has paved the way for women of colour in the fashion industry as she faced and defeated peoples prejudices. When she was 18 Naomi became the first black model on the cover of French Vogue and later become the first black model on the cover of Time Magazine. Naomi received support across the industry as she faced discrimination, Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaia were her two greatest supporters. In 1989 Naomi also appeared on the cover of US Vogue for the September issue, which is the publications most important edition, the first black model to ever do so.

Naomi has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and been shot by some of the most respected photographers in the industry including Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber. Naomi has also featured in countless campaigns for designers including Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chloé and Dolce & Gabbana.

Following an appearance on the cover of Vogue alongside Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Tatjana Patiz, Naomi appeared with the same group in a music video for George Michael. The video for the song ‘Freedom’ has become symbolic of its time and it still one of the most famous music videos of all time. By the early 90s this group of models, with the later addition of Kate Moss, had formed a prestigious and in demand group of supermodels dubbed ‘Big Six’.

Naomi’s career is littered with iconic moments, from walking the runway for Versace alongside other supers singing ‘Freedom’, appearing in a music video for Michael Jackson or featuring in Madonna’s highly controversial book ‘Sex’. Naomi is one of the most memorable faces of the fashion industries and has been included in some of the greatest magazine covers, runway shows and fashion collaborations of all time.

Naomi was also honoured, alongside other top models to be shot by Patrick Demarchelier for the 100^th anniversary cover of US Vogue.

While maintaining her supermodel status Naomi also tried her hand at acting, writing and singing. She released an album titled ‘Babywoman’ and a novel called Swan. Neither of these were met with any success comparable to her work in the fashion industry.

Throughout her career Naomi has attracted a certain amount of scandal and some negative media attention. In 2002 she was involved in a lawsuit with the daily Mirror over photos of her leaving a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Naomi is rumoured to have a quick temper and has on occasion been arrested and sued for acts of physical violence and verbal abuse and in 2008 she pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers.

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As is typical of a supermodel Naomi has been romantically linked with several high profile mean including Mike Tyon, Robert De Niro, Usher, Adam Clayton and Flavio Briatore. She has been dating business man Vladislav Doronin since 2008 and they live together in Moscow.

Naomi is still a current face in the fashion industry, in 2010 she appeared on the cover of Essence and V magazine and she also appeared with other supermodels and musicians Duran Duran on the cover of Harpers Bazaar. One year latter, Naome starred in the Duran Duran’s much-anticipated music video ‘Girl Panic!’ with the same supermodels Hellena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Yasmine Le Bon and Eva Herzigova.

In 2011, Campbell’s exceptional contributions to the fashion world were recognised with the prestigious British Fashion Award for Outstanding Achievement. This accolade highlighted her enduring influence and trailblazing career. In 2012, Naomi Campbell expanded her reach by launching her eponymous fragrance line, a venture that garnered critical acclaim and further cemented her position as a force to be reckoned with in the beauty industry. She ventured into the retail space in 2013, opening a captivating pop-up store in the heart of London, showcasing her impeccable style and fashion-forward vision.

As a testament to her versatility, Campbell landed the coveted role of the face of Burberry’s Spring/Summer campaign in 2014. Her striking presence breathed new life into the iconic brand, reaffirming her influence as a high-fashion model. Beyond the runway, she also lent her voice to humanitarian causes, joining forces with UNAIDS to raise awareness for the fight against the Ebola epidemic. In 2015, Naomi Campbell embraced her acting skills, making waves with her recurring role in the hit television series « Empire. »

Collaborations with renowned fashion houses have been a hallmark of Campbell’s career, and 2016 was no exception. She joined forces with the illustrious Italian luxury brand Versace, becoming the face of their campaign and gracing the runway during Milan Fashion Week. Recognition and accolades continued to pour in for Campbell in 2017, as she was honoured with the Fashion Icon Award at the esteemed Fashion Awards in London.

In 2018, Naomi Campbell celebrated an impressive 33 years in the modelling industry with the release of her commemorative coffee table book, aptly titled « Naomi. » Filled with mesmerising photographs captured by renowned photographers, the book served as a visual testament to her iconic status and unparalleled career. The following year, she made history as the first-ever global face of Pat McGrath Labs, a pioneering makeup brand known for its innovative creations.

While Naomi Campbell’s professional accomplishments are undeniably impressive, her personal life has also garnered attention. Over the years, she has been linked to notable figures in the entertainment and music industries, captivating the media with her high-profile relationships.

Naomi Campbell  Biography