Is fashion art? Should it find a place in museums? According to Naomi Campbell, a straightforward yes will help to resolve this long-held argument. She added to her outstanding CV earlier this year when she became curator of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s “Naomi in Fashion” exhibition, developed in collaboration with Sam Gainsbury and Desiree Ejoh. Featuring contributions from eminent designers, photographers, and friends, this display highlights important events in her career.

Claridge’s was one of Campbell’s preferred homes away from home in the middle of Mayfair; it was also the evening’s iconic backdrop. Friends for more than thirty years, World of Interiors, and Hamish Bowles from Vogue organized the extraordinary event. From the fields of film, dance, fashion, and art, the pair assembled a rainbow of glitzy guests. Having just returned from the Paris Olympic Games, even British track and field athlete Annie Tageo made an arresting entrance in a gorgeous black gown.

In the French Drawing Room, guests were met with sparkling glasses set tastefully with a profusion of white roses and delphiniums. Starting London Fashion Week, the cocktail hour will highlight designer designs from spring 2025.
Campbell got up to offer a few remarks about her namesake exhibit as everyone took their places for the main event. “The show honors unique and talented designers like Vivienne Westwood, where my shoes had actually been in the museum way before me,” Campbell said. “I owe all the photographers who have captured the looks, thanks. Working with some amazing and legendary photographers, including Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and David Bailey, as well as fresh talents like Campbell Addy, Tyler Mitchell, and Oliver Hadlee Pearch, makes me incredibly lucky. Working with these younger photographers challenges me to redefine myself in front of the camera constantly and fuels my desire to keep going.
Sitting next to Gainsbury and facing Ejoh, the evening honored their dedication and offered opportunity for reflection. This was a time to celebrate the success of the show and get motivated to keep encouraging cultural change, stretching limits, and spreading happiness.
Guests loved blanched asparagus drizzled with truffle on the menu, followed by a wonderful filet of halibut. Naturally, among the guests, the lemon meringue tarts for dessert were rather popular. Guests participating in a vibrant game of musical chairs traded fashion week schedules and anecdotes from their summer adventures, eager to reconnect with both new and old acquaintances.
As we started the second leg of the fashion month marathon, the crisp night air acted as a welcome reminder that school was back in session. From walking the Ralph Lauren Spring 2025 runway last week to getting the Fashion Icon Award at Harlem Fashion Row’s 17th annual awards, Campbell shows that although this exhibition honors her remarkable career, she is only just beginning her road map.
What then is ahead for Campbell? With forthcoming visits to India, Qatar, and Brazil, the mother, philanthropist, and supermodel is keen to grow her fashion charity platform Emerge. This program seeks to equip the following generation of creative and business leaders with a successful foundation. Along with general education, fashion, technology, art, ecological innovations, and agriculture, it will bring fresh apprenticeships, after-school programs, and university projects based on creative and alternative sectors. A picture of a fresh world to which we all find resonance.


Lelê Sadd, Photo credit: Marco Bahler


Hamish Bowles, Sophie Hunter, Benedict Cumberbatch Photo credit: Marco Bahler
