LONDON — Naomi Campbell knows how to draw a crowd.
At this year’s Victoria and Albert Museum summer party, friends and fans of the British supermodel turned up to catch a preview of the museum’s latest exhibition, “Naomi: In Fashion,” based on Campbell.
“[It feels] overwhelming, but I just wanted everyone to get to know that side of me that they might not have known,” said Campbell.
She wore a custom dress from Boss, which sponsored her exhibition and the event. Law Roach worked with the model on the design of the dress, which was accessorized with two diamond Bulgari snake necklaces.
Kate Moss and Sam McKnight
Dave Benett/ Courtesy of V&A
Guests at the party included Daniel Lee, Phoebe Philo, Grace Jones, Harris Reed, Charlotte Tilbury, Grace Carter, Sarah Burton, Daphne Guinness, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss and more.
“We first met at the Fashion Awards in London and I think Naomi is the ultimate British supermodel. Of course she has a long history with Burberry, in the time of Christopher [Bailey], myself and Riccardo [Tisci]. She’s part of the history and story of all three of the most recent creative directors,” said Lee, Burberry’s chief creative officer.
The brand launched a soccer-themed series featuring players Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze in time for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship that’s taking place right now.
Lee said he’s been watching a bit of the matches and that he’s rooting for England, but a majority of his focus is set on his upcoming show in September.
Inside the exhibition, there were a variety of looks from the supermodel’s long career, including a Kenneth Ize striped dress from the fall 2020 runway show; a Yves Saint Laurent feathered cocktail dress from his fall 1987 collection; a beautifully embellished Alexander McQueen gown that she wore to the Fashion Awards in 2019, and the infamous chainmail Dolce & Gabbana dress that Campbell wore on the last day of her community service in 2007.
“There’s a big contrast between the ground floor and the top floor because you start off with something very dark and intimate that then opens up into light,” said Heloise Perignon, the architect who worked on the exhibition with Campbell.
“We used 3D design renderings so that we could show her personality in the exhibition,” added artist Issi Nanabeyin, who helped Perignon with the concept of the exhibition.
Harris Reed and Elizabeth Saltzman
Dave Benett/ Courtesy of V&A
Fresh off the wedding aisle, British American designer Harris Reed wore a monochrome silk shirt with an ivory corset and a dramatic black trouser. He wore the look to his wedding earlier this month and it’s also a peek at his upcoming collection for his eponymous label.
“My summer plans are to work on two collections [his own and Nina Ricci] and then hopefully escape to Greece. We had a mini-honeymoon, but hopefully planning a trip to Japan. I want to go raid all the vintage markets because Nina Ricci has an insane archival market there,” said Reed.
He calls married life wonderful and a dream come true. “In this business, your partner is your number one and then your right hand is your team, so I’m getting my eggs in a basket,” he added.
Grace Carter
Dave Benett/ Courtesy of V&A
All the guests were preparing for a jam-packed summer, including English singer and songwriter Grace Carter, who will be performing at the music festival Glastonbury next weekend.
“I am writing a lot of music, it will be more upbeat as most people know me for emotional music. I’m currently in rehearsals for Glastonbury, where I will be wearing a full Burberry look,” she said.
The evening concluded with a live performance from the band Culture Club and then a DJ set by Honey Dijon.