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How Naomi Campbell Broke Racial Barriers to Become a #1 Super Model


Naomi for Vogue Brazil, May 2016

Naomi Elaine Campbell was born in the South of London to Afro and Chinese Jamaican parents on May 22nd, 1970. Her father abandoned her family while her mother was carrying her but she had the support of her grandmother, mother and aunts growing up.  Her talents in the performing arts were displayed at an early age.  

Naomi and her mother, Valerie
She spent a great deal of time in Rome, Italy while her mother performed as a professional dancer.  Naomi appeared in the music video for Bob Marley's "Is this Love" song when she was just eight years old.  Her mother, Valerie, later enrolled Naomi in the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where she learned the art of ballet beginning at age 10. 

While shopping in London, she was discovered by a scout named Beth Boldt after which she appeared on the cover of British Elle Magazine at the young age of 16. Naomi Elaine's career within the modelling industry was not an easy one.  She had to deal with racial discrimination and prejudice.  The fashion industry wasn't the most diverse and the lack of experienced hair stylists was very apparent during the 1980s and 1990s.  Stylists and makeup artists would either be unprepared or refuse to work with individuals with black skin and hair.  Naomi was also a victim of the unequal pay divide that black models were encountering in previous decades.

The supermodel was able to overcome the discrimination that she faced with the help of her white supermodel friends like Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista.  They formed a power trio with her and would tell fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana, "If you don't use Naomi, you don't get us."  They were like three peas in a pod. 

        Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington & Naomi Campbell

       Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington & Naomi Campbell

The megamodel also had the support of fashion designers like Yves St. Laurent who vowed to withdraw advertising from American Vogue if they didn't place Naomi on the cover of their September magazine issue.  

                           Naomi for September 1989 issue of American Vogue

She became the first black model to appear on the coveted September issue of American Vogue in 1989.  Naomi Campbell was also the first black model since 1966 to appear on the cover of British Vogue's December 1987 issue as well as French Vogue in August 1988.  

Naomi for the December 1987 British Vogue issue

Naomi for French Vogue, August 1988

Naomi Elaine continued to make history as a black model even while overcoming addiction issues. She later became the first black cover girl for Vogue Russia in the year 2000. 

Naomi for Vogue Russia, 2000

While the support of her white peers was helpful for breaking down racial barriers as a model, she had a significant quality that contributed to her overall success.  Her work ethic was above the average and aided her in reaching the pinnacle of supermodel success.   In a 2010 sit down with Interview Magazine, Naomi once said, "I like to work. It helps if you like what you do."  In referencing this work ethic, she has also said, "I work very hard and I'm worth every cent." 

Naomi for Interview Magazine, September 2010 
In 2013, Naomi Campbell formed advocacy group, Diversity Coalition, with beauty icon Iman and Bethan Hardison for the purpose of advocacy efforts for other black models. The group called out a "racist act" among designers who had only used one or refused to use any black models in their shows that year.  

Naomi continues to work as a model and looks more than amazing at the age of 55.  She works fervently to promote various charitable causes as a philanthropist.  She became a mother in 2021.

                                  Naomi for American Vogue, March 2022

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Reference

https://abcnews.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/09/fashion-icons-naomi-campbell-iman-demand-diversity-on-racist-runway/

https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/naomi-campbell 

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