The Original Supermodel
Naomi Campbell has been described as many things — the world's first Black supermodel, a member of the "Big Six," a fashion icon for four decades. But her relationship with the lingerie industry tells a story about race, power, and the slow march toward representation.
The Big Six
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, six models dominated fashion: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, and Tatjana Patitz. They were the first models whose names were as famous as the designers they wore.
Campbell was the only Black woman in the group.
Breaking Barriers
Born in London in 1970 to a Jamaican-born dancer, Campbell was discovered at 15 in Covent Garden. Her career was a series of firsts:
- First Black woman on the cover of French Vogue (1988)
- First Black woman on the cover of American Vogue's September issue (1989, with Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista)
- First Black woman on the cover of Time magazine's fashion issue
- Walked for virtually every major fashion house in history
Lingerie and Race
Campbell's experience in the lingerie industry was complicated. While she walked for Victoria's Secret and appeared in lingerie campaigns, she was consistently open about the racism she faced:
"I was never booked for the big lingerie campaigns that my white counterparts got. The same clients who paid Cindy or Claudia millions for underwear campaigns would never even consider me."
This honesty — delivered while she was at the peak of her fame — helped lay the groundwork for the diversity revolution that would come decades later with brands like Savage X Fenty.
The Longevity
What makes Campbell extraordinary is duration. She has been modeling for over 35 years — and still books major campaigns. She walked for Valentino couture in 2024, at age 53. No other model of her generation has maintained this level of relevance.
Why She Matters
Campbell didn't just model lingerie — she forced the industry to confront its racism while she did it. Every time Rihanna casts a model of color for Savage X Fenty, every time a brand features diverse skin tones, the path was cleared by Naomi Campbell refusing to be silent about what she experienced behind the scenes.
"I will not shut up about racism in fashion. I said it in 1990, and I'm still saying it." — Naomi Campbell