Referencing Steven Meisel’s shoot for British Vogue starring Naomi Campbell in March 2022, Suganya Bala Subramaniam wears a black jumpsuit from Emporio Armani, paired with jewellery from Swarovski (Photography: Chuan Looi; Styling: Colin Sim)
Inspired by the ongoing Naomi: In Fashion exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, we take a look at some of the most unforgettable moments in the groundbreaking model, cultural icon and activist’s 40-year (and counting) career history, starring Suganya Bala Subramaniam.
Never gets old
Seared onto the consciousness of archival dressing aesthetes, Naomi Campbell’s Louis Vuitton SS04 campaign made waves in pop culture again when actress Zendaya, aided by her stylist and image maker Law Roach, playfully recreated the look and pose with the instantly-recognisable monogram handbag in an elevator last year. This year’s version features Louis Vuitton’s jacket with side panels (RM27,600) and a bonded jersey mini skirt (RM9,500), paired with Olympia ankle boots (RM10,800) and a Monogram Petite Malle (RM30,500). Monogram trunk cases (POA).
High-vis atonement
No one makes an entrance (or exit) like La Campbell. Penalised with five days’ community service and an anger management course upon pleading guilty to assault after throwing a mobile phone at her maid, she completed the sentence in 2007 by exiting Manhattan’s Department of Sanitation in full-length silver, courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, before popping into a Rolls Royce and zipping straight off for Elton John’s 60th birthday party. Disco gown (POA) by Brian Khoo, paired with a trio of accessories by Swarovski, including a Millenia choker (RM1,800), Matrix Y necklace (RM2,400) and Matrix bangle (RM2,400).
Golden cover girl
Interview once commissioned six renowned photographers to pick women whom they felt represented their highest ideals of feminine beauty. No surprises: Campbell made the list. The original cover image of her for the magazine’s The Photographers’ Portfolio, styled by Ludivine Poiblanc and photographed by Marcus Piggott and Mert Alas has joined the annals of legends. Suganya is decked out in full Fope, including its Luna Pave Bicolour necklace with diamonds in 18-carat white and rose gold (RM147,000), Luna necklaces in rose and white gold (RM94,450 each), Luna Pave Bicolour bracelets with diamonds in white and yellow gold (RM96,499 each) and Luna Flex’it bracelets in rose and yellow gold (RM43,500 each). All from Suen Jewellers. Strapless black dress (just seen) by Giorgio Armani (POA).
Where the wild things are
French photographer Jean Paul Goude was renowned for his 2009 shoot for the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar US when he had Campbell “racing” against a cheetah. The animal prints also evoke the work of the late, great Azzedine Alaïa whom the supermodel fondly referred to as “papa”. Short dress by Max Mara (POA) is paired with leather pillar high boots from Burberry (RM14,500). Gloves, stylist’s own.
Tudo jóia
The literal translation of this popular Brazilian-Portuguese phrase equates to “all jewellery” but locals use it to greet someone, a casual way of asking, “All good?” Here, Suganya evokes a famous photograph by Tom Munro for the 38th anniversary issue of Vogue Brasil in May 2013, where the then 42-year-old supermodel, sporting voluminous blonde-streaked tresses, was featured in every single editorial for the month. Tank top, beret, handbag and accessories (POA) all by Chanel.
She's arrived
Campbell made history by being the first black model to grace the cover of Vogue US’ annual September issue, always hailed as its most monumental of the year, in 1989. The fresh-faced 19-year-old was made up by Bobbi Brown herself and photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in East Hampton wearing a fire-orange sequined suit. Fast forward to the present, an equally striking Rosso Ancora single-breasted bonded and embossed safari jacket (RM34,900) with matching leather short pants (RM14,600) by Gucci pay homage to the groundbreaking image.
Pick yourself up
Those visiting Naomi: In Fashion cannot miss an exhibit of the super-elevated platform high heels worn by Campbell, who famously fell while walking in them for Vivienne Westwood in 1993. A Burberry cotton canvas layered parka (POA), horsebit platform loafer slingbacks (RM7,000) from Gucci and Swarovski multi-coloured Gema choker (RM4,000) bring the iconic fashion moment to life again.
'Naomi: In Fashion' is on from now until April 6, 2025, at the V&A South Kensington, London. Tickets are priced at £18 (RM103).
This article first appeared on Sept 16, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
