Naomi Campbell 'said no to all-black fashion show'

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 18, 2019

Naomi Campbell has claimed she recently refused to be in an exclusively black fashion show despite being offered ‘tons of money’ as she wants to promote 'balanced inclusion' in the fashion industry.

Speaking in an interview with The Guardian’s Weekend magazine, the famous British model talked about the growing representation of women of colour in the fashion world.

The supermodel turned activist said of her desire for ‘balanced inclusion’: “I won’t do an all-black show, for instance, because it would be hypocritical given what I’ve stood for, for so long,” adding that she was offered a large sum to take part in the all-black fashion show.

“I can see clearly when brands want diversity because they get it and think it’s the right thing to do – and the ones who just think it will look bad if they don’t.”

Born in London, Campbell is due to receive the Fashion Icon Award at this year’s Fashion Awards on 2 December. The event is organised by the British Fashion Council, which has selected her in recognition of her contribution to the fashion industry, her world-renowned career as a supermodel and her philanthropist work.

Campbell was the first black model to cover French Vogue in 1988 and the first black woman to be on the cover of American Vogue's September issue in 1989.

Her charity, Fashion for Relief, raises funds to improve the lives of those living in adversity, such as people affected by natural disasters, by staging fashion events in London, Cannes and New York City.

Next week, the charity will also open a designer fashion pop-up store at Westfield White City. In addition to stocking exclusive designer garments donated by the star’s friends and family, the space will host a programme of talks and activities. The money raised from purchases will be donated to education and employability programmes for young people.