Model, muse, and fashion marvel Naomi Campbell has always been in the driving seat of her destiny. From starting out in the industry at 15 to pioneering the supermodel era, she has nurtured a trailblazing career through staying driven, determined, and most of all, “always understanding the word commitment.”
This year, BOSS takes Campbell’s inimitable journey under the spotlight like never before. Not too far from her birthplace in London, a new exhibition supported by the brand – titled Naomi In Fashion – has opened at the V&A museum, materializing her most famous moments with installations of archival couture garments. As well as inspiring today’s fashion communities, it lends a reminder to the supermodel of her rise to the top, illuminating the “stories and memories behind the clothes.”
In a continuation of the storytelling, BOSS now unveils a new campaign championing the ambition and strength behind her legacy as well as that of David Beckham, Burna Boy, Lee Jong-Suk, Matteo Berrettini, and Gisele Bündchen. Pictured in a sleek pinstriped dress as well as a bold winter outfit comprised of a leather skirt and a statement brown alpaca and virgin wool coat from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, Campbell perfectly conveys her confident attitude that she continues to bring to her work, underscoring its overarching message this season: “It’s for life.”
Sitting down with Hypebeast in an exclusive interview, the icon discusses her collaboration with the fashion house, the importance of staying true to yourself, and how it feels to take a step back and reflect on her life’s work. “There have been so many pivotal moments in my career, some of them include fashion, and some of them don’t,” she begins. “I have so much gratitude for those opportunities that I’ve been given and the people who have instilled trust in me.”
Anyone familiar with Campbell’s career will know the “people” she references are high fashion designers, artists, and photographers who have been notable collaborators in her journey. “When I was younger, I was very quiet so I spent most of my time watching others. Seeing how these masters worked and how they created is how you learn,” she says casting her mind back to the early days in her career.
Her learnings from the designers proved to be invaluable. Seeing how they intertwined their “unique personalities” into their work, she found ways to interject more of her fierce, compelling, and confident aura onto catwalk shows – single-handedly transforming the way models are viewed on the runway. “I think it was about allowing yourself to be vulnerable,” she says. “Whatever job you do, you want to do it to your best and give 110% of yourself in making it work.”
As well as starring in the BOSS’ Fall/Winter 2024 campaign, later this year Campbell is set to release her second capsule collection with the brand, providing yet another outlet for her to express her true, unapologetic self. Comprised of classic BOSS suiting, clean-cut dresses, and statement coats; the range draws inspiration from her everyday wardrobe while tying seamlessly into the brand’s timeless tailoring heritage. Explaining the process behind her collaboration she says, “Creating a line with BOSS is essentially an extension of who I am. You’re giving a part of yourself when you are creating products that you authentically like and what you would authentically wear.”
“There are loads of things that I’d like to do,” the fashion figurehead explains when asked about the next phase of her career. Having produced The Super Models documentary in 2022 with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, she shows no signs of slowing down and aims to use her experience to make a change in the industry by advocating for creative ownership, adding, “[The documentary] was the first time that we as models were in a partnership. When we do shoots, we don’t even own our image so I wanted to set a precedent.”
Continuing to make positive change for the next generation, she has also founded her own platform EMERGE that provides up-and-coming creatives with career-defining opportunities. “There are so many countries around the world where there’s so much talent, but nobody has shined a light on them,” Campbell says. “Most people will tell you that I’m very good at connecting people so through this platform I want to connect brands with the countries that are not involved in our main Fashion Weeks.”
Despite having more experience than most fashion veterans, the icon still understands the importance of stepping back and observing – as she was once taught by her mentors. “When I started modeling, there weren’t influencers, we would have been called the influencers,” she says. “But now, it’s different. I’m always watching what the next generation is doing and I’m always up for meeting the influencers of today. I find I’m very curious because I want to see how they approach fashion. I’m always pleasantly surprised.”
Take a closer look at BOSS’ Fall/Winter 2024 campaign in the gallery above.
To shop the latest collection adorned by Naomi Campbell, head to the brand’s website now.
