Naomi Campbell turns 55, 10 curiosities about the Venus of the catwalks

Naomi Campbell celebrates 55 yearsof which forty lived on the covers and on the catwalk. Yet, at the beginning of his iconic career, the black Venus had to face episodes of discrimination related to the color of his skin. But he never let herself fall: she knew she should have worked double, demonstrate more than the others. And he did it, rewriting the history of the fashion system. Has become the first model black to appear on the cover of British Voguethen conquer that of Vogue France and of Time.

English by birth but with Caribbean and Chinese origins, Naomi Elaine Campbell He was born on May 22, 1970 in Streatham, Lambeth, London. Her mother, Valerie Morris, is a former dancer. According to legend, he was discovered just 15 years by the Model Scout Beth Boldt while walking in school uniform with friends on the streets of Covent Garden. In 2019, Naomi received the Fashion icon award for his contribution to industry and for his humanitarian activities, in particular for the African American community. Campbell is the mother of two children: a girl, born in 2021, and a boy, born in 2023, both through surrogate motherhood. Today we want to celebrate the Queen of Catwalk with 10 intriguing curiosities: from the “Trinity” of the supermodels to a thousand loves.

He never met his father

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By the will of the mother Valerie, Naomi never met the biological father, who abandoned his mother while he was four months pregnant. No surname appeared on his birth certificate, which he acquired only later, taking that of his mother’s second husband.

It was a dancer before even becoming a model

Under the spotlight since the age of 3, Naomi wanted to become a dancer like his mother. He attended Barbara Speake Stage School and, at Otto, made his debut in the music video of Is this love by Bob Marley. At 10, he was admitted to the Academy of Dramatic Art Italia Conti Academy of Theater Arts, where he studied classical dance.

Model by chance

Naomi Campbell
WWD/Getty Images

Naomi was discovered just 15 years by the Model Scout Beth Bold of the Elite Management Agency, while walking on the streets of Covent Garden with some friends, wearing his school uniform: a blue Kilt with Pied-de-Poule, dark blue sweater with V-neck, shirt, blazer and tie.

The Trinity of the models

Naomi Campbell
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At the end of the 80s, Naomi formed, together with Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, a legendary trio known as “The Trinity”: they were the most recognizable, requesting and influential supermodels of their generation. When, at the beginning of his career, he found himself faced episodes of racial discrimination, Naomi could count on the support of his friends and colleagues. In particular, he recalled with gratitude the gesture of Turlington and evangelist who, turning to Dolce & Gabbana, firmly said: “If you don’t hire Naomi, then you won’t even have».

The era of supermodelle

Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer also added to the “Trinity”: together they formed a group of elites consecrated by the fashion industry with the title of “supermodelle”. With the arrival of the very young Kate Moss, the group became known as the “Big Six”, absolute icons that marked the history of fashion in the 90s.

Milk Passion

Naomi Campbell
Dave Benett/Getty Images

She likes milk and her numerous health benefits.

Friendship with IMAN

Naomi Campbell
Imago Stock & People via www.imago-images.de / iPa- Agency.net

Naomi corresponds to the most legendary of supermodelle via fax, the most glamorous form of semi-telephonic exchange.

Loves

Naomi Campbell
ATP / IPA-AGENCY.NET

The Black Venus is also famous for its loves. In 1993, Naomi trusted with Adam Clayton, U2 bassist. The two knew after that, during an interview, when asked what he wanted but he still didn’t, Clayton replied: “An appointment with Naomi Campbell”. The report ended the following year. In the mid -90s, the supermodel lived a short but intense Love Story with the motorcyclist Max Biaggi, the first of a series of Italian loves. In 1995, Leonardo DiCaprio attended, while from 1998 to 2003 he was officially linked to Flavio Briatore, Team Principal of Formula 1. From 2008 to 2013, he had a relationship with the Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin. Over time, Naomi has also been sentimentally linked to other stars including Robert De Niro, Liam Payne, Sean «Diddy» Combs and Usher.

Tyson, first love

Naomi Campbell
Lash / sipa / ipa-agency.net

One of the first, great loves of Naomi was the boxer Mike Tyson, with whom he lived an intense and overwhelming relationship. The two were seen for the first time together with a party in 1987, when she was a nascent star and he already an established champion. Their story, made of passion and glamor, ended in 1990.

Source: Vanity Fair

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