Review: Naomi in FASHION at the Victoria & Albert Museum

Widely considered as one of the six supermodels alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista, Ms Naomi Campbell takes us a journey throughout her unequalled career spanning over 30 years. 

*With the first-ever museum exhibition dedicated to a single model, held at the V&A in London from June 22 2024 to April 6 2025.

On approach to the first half of the exhibition you’re met with a dark room with ‘NAOMI IN FASHION,’ plastered on the wall followed by a striking showreel of some of Naomi’s most iconic looks on the catwalk including the strapless, bandeau snakeskin outfit which Campbell wore for the Givenchy Autumn/Winter 1997/1998 and the playful white, doily chiffon with a baby pink bolero and matching headband for Anna Sui 1994.

This part of the exhibition called 'Becoming Naomi,' is both interactive and static parts of the exhibition consisting of dialogue from Naomi herself about looks on the runway, a short film showcasing her most popular moments of her career including appearing in Michael Jackson’s sultry “In the Closet,” music video, a handpicked collection of outfits and a replica of a bedroom filled with elegant accessories, CDs and memorabilia (including a really cool Naomi doll!)

Below I have highlighted some of my favourites pieces/media from the review, including my attempt at a 'Naomi Catwalk!'

The Gilt-Laden issue of Vogue stood out to me for many reasons – it was Naomi’s first ever appearance on the cover for British Vogue, one of the most sought out editions of the magazine and the opulent, long sleeved dress that I wish I had a party piece on my wardrobe!

The dress had a sense of luxury to it, with the second half of the dress having a structured skirt-like shape made of feathers dipped in a metallic gold shot in a beach setting that could mirror being shot in a desert in the Middle East.

This leopard playsuit is probably in my top five favourite Naomi looks as it is both figure hugging and sculpting, which fit in with Alaia’s profile as ‘The King of Cling,’ in his work, know of creating designs which celebrated the female form, distinguishing himself from the other designers at the time.

(Here's live footage of me in AWEEEEEE of the picture of the outfit shown on the carousel reel at the exhibition!!) 

If you ever thought of yourself as a model in disguise then this interactive catwalk section of the exhibition would really put your strutting prowess to the test!

Guided by Naomi herself, I took myself to the beginning of the runway and sashayed down with some hip poses thrown in (with encouragement from the queen herself of course!)

As you can probably see... I still need a bit more work if I want to fulfil my dreams as a modern day supermodel but this aspect of the exhibition was such a great idea to have visitors involved after coming from the first section which was quite narrative and video heavy. 

NB: If any modelling agency is seeing this.... I do have better videos :) (Video of me and by me)

This exhibition is as much about fashion as it is about Naomi's cultural impact from her trailblazing firsts (first Black model to cover Vogue Paris, first Black woman to open a Prada show) to her role in championing diversity and social justice through initiatives like the Black Girls Coalition. 

The exhibition offers an extensive visual celebration and an intimate portrait of a woman who transformed modelling into an act of artistry and empowerment.