Best wishes to Naomi Campbell, the style icon friend of the great stylists

THEicon of style, catwalk panther, stainless supermodel. Today Naomi Campbell turns 53 and we celebrate her by remembering her great friendships with the stylists who have made the history of fashion.

Naomi Campbell, the muse of the most important stylists

From the earliest beginnings, the supermodel born in 1970 has stood out for her beauty, character (sometimes smoky), but also for her indisputable talent. And an unshakeable professionalism forged over time thanks to partnerships with the most brilliant minds in the fashion world of the last 40 years.

The rebel duo with Vivienne Westwood

After her debut with a bang at the end of the 80s, the first phase of her supermodel career coincides with the friendship that binds her to the famous – also – mostly rebel spirit in British sauce. From the outset, the magical union ignited the London fashion shows and made headlines all over the world. Thanks to the indomitable outsider spirit of both and to the anecdotes that made history. From photos together to unforgettable parties to the famous one fall on the catwalk caused by the highest platform shoes ever.

«Can I ask you a question? When I fell on the runway, did you worry?», Naomi asks Vivienne in an interview in 2019. «You were probably hurt in your pride» replies the stylist. And the top model adds: «I felt unprepared, I should have put less weight on the heel and more on the toes. But then I said to myself: get up and go ahead, this is the most important thing”. However, the designer reminds her of her following: “Yes, and at the next exit you said to me: Vivienne I slip off, but if I fall again I’ll stay there until you come and get me”.

With Gianni Versace: the most glamorous couple of the 90s

The British supermodel’s heart also fell in love for Gianni Versace and it could not be otherwise. For him, she was the perfect muse, the supreme symbol of femininity apart from her sculpted physique and inimitable walk. For her, he is the absolute genius of an epic decade, but he gives her all the warmth of being in the family.

The partnership, which lasted until the Calabrian designer’s untimely death in 1997, would shine to the bitter end thanks to a series of sparkling dresses that went down in history. Continuing even many years later, as evidenced by the tribute dedicated to him on the 24th anniversary of his death, with the post on Instagram showing off the designer onesie Versace of Naomi’s daughter.

Mentor from day one, Azzedine Alaïa

Among the legendary mentors of the queen of perennial top models there is also the refined designer of Tunisian origin, met literally on the first day of work in Paris, it is no coincidence that she called him Dad. «I met him when I was 16, after the set they took me to dinner at her house. He cooked and served us at the table himself, he became like a father to me and every time I passed through Paris I went to visit him».

Even this special bond will last forever and on many occasions Naomi will wear the couturier’s creations on the most important red carpets. In any case, even now that she is gone, her deep cultural imprint remains, which he passed on to her and which has contributed to making her one of her most loved fashion icons. «In the time spent with him I learned many things about art, architecture and design. He took me to see the vintage fashion collections of the 20s and 30s and was a great lover of literature » recalls the model in an interview a few years ago.

Inimitable for Valentino (and Pierpaolo)

Last but not least, in the poker aces of the model’s famous friendships there is Valentino Garavani. An indissoluble agreement to the point that on the site of Valentino Garavani Museum There is a page dedicated to her which reads: “The best walk on the catwalk… and a multi-talented musewith the attitude of a diva and the great professionalism gained in the fashion system, which no actress will ever be able to match».

After the designer’s death, the relationship continues with the creative director of the maison Pierpaolo Piccioli. Very often with her hand in hand on red carpet and author, among others, of custom made look in hot pink lace and feathers exhibited at Met Gala 2019. Even in the midst of the crazy looks of the other stars for the theme Campthe outfit caused a stir due to the presence of an employee who had the task of fanning the model to make the photos even more spectacular.

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