Naomi Campbell In Fashion Exhibition At The V&A London

Naomi Campbell In Fashion at the V&A – A Glimpse Into the Supermodel’s Iconic Legacy

Naomi Campbell, one of the original supermodels, has been a fashion icon since she was just 15. With over 500 magazine covers under her belt, she’s worked with top designers like Versace, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Naomi made history as the first black model on the covers of TIME and Vogue (both French and Russian), and her powerful presence on the runway continues to inspire.

If you’re a fan of all things fashion (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), the Naomi: In Fashion exhibition at the V&A Museum is a must-see. This dazzling show is the first-ever major exhibit dedicated to a model, not a designer, and it’s all about celebrating Naomi’s jaw-dropping career and cultural impact.

From the moment you step in, you’re hit with a montage of Naomi’s most iconic runway moments, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel a little starstruck. There’s even a “Walk Like Naomi” interactive experience that adds a fun, playful touch. And the clothes? It’s just wow. Fabulous with a capital F. A collection of her personal pieces from legendary designers like Azzedine Alaïa, Gianni Versace, and Vivienne Westwood shows just how much Naomi was more than just a muse—she was a true collaborator, helping shape how these pieces were seen in the fashion world.

But beyond the glitter and glam, what really stands out in this exhibition is Naomi’s cultural impact. Her December 1987 British Voguecover was groundbreaking—it was only the third time a Black woman had been on the cover of the magazine. That moment, along with her advocacy for diversity in fashion and her philanthropic work, proves Naomi’s influence goes way beyond the runway.

What’s interesting, though, is that while the exhibit celebrates her as a cultural icon, it doesn’t exactly dig deep into her personal struggles or the tougher sides of her journey. Instead, it seems to preserve her status as a near-mythical figure, untouched by the ups and downs that come with being human.

While the exhibition is undeniably stunning, it feels like there's a little something missing or more so I expected to see a little more of the history behind Naomi. By focusing mostly on Naomi’s public triumphs and leaving out the more personal, behind-the-scenes moments, it’s as though we’re left with just a glimpse of her larger-than-life legacy. But maybe that’s the magic of Naomi—her ability to remain this untouchable, legendary figure. In the end, it’s a celebration of her greatness, and sometimes, that’s all we really need to see.

For me, the best part of the exhibition had to be seeing the old-school photos that were taken before we had the luxury of digital tech. Can you believe they were carried around in a sealed suitcase,traveling from city to city, getting shown off to executives for a bidding war? How wild is that?

And, I have to say, my absolute favourite piece was the Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe Versace dress. The photos just don’t do it justice—seeing it in person was everything! - You can see a glimpse of my visit here. 

Ps- I'm really sorry about the darkness in some of the pictures but flash was not allowed.