Naomi Campbell is having a renaissance of sorts (not that she went anywhere in the first place). The past year has been a good one: the SS18 Versace supers reunion recreating Gianni's Freedom! AW91 show; the steamy GQ cover shoot with Skepta, which only fuelled rumours of the two dating; and now, the legendary model is being honoured at 2018's CFDA Fashion Awards.
Following in the footsteps of Beyoncé, David Bowie, Rihanna and longtime friend Kate Moss, the model and muse will be presented with the Fashion Icon award – a fitting accolade considering her lengthy and prestigious career. Her signature sashay and distinctive look made her muse to designers Gianni Versace and Azzedine Alaïa, earned her place in The Trinity (the Turlington-Campbell-Evangelista trio), and saw her become the first British black model to cover British Vogue.
“It is truly an honour to be recognised by the CFDA with this year’s Fashion Icon award,” Campbell said in a statement. While Kate Moss often gets the credit for the best off-duty-model looks of the '90s and '00s, one flick through Naomi's back catalogue and you find yourself a counter argument. “Being from London," she said, "my personal style has always been tremendously influenced by both the dynamic, ever-changing nature of street culture and the music scene.” With this in mind, we've rounded up the best of Campbell's looks, from Clueless -esque skirt suits to bombshell LBDs.
“From enfant prodige to Goddess of Fashion,” CFDA chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg said in a statement, “Naomi represents beauty, activism and joie de vivre.” Hear, hear; long live Ms Campbell. Click through to find our favourite throwback photos of the model, the muse, and now, the icon.
Campbell had just landed at LAX and boy, is this our kind of airport style: embellished denim, clashing prints and a leather jacket – plus those sunnies are top of our summer wish list.
Photo: Getty Images
Photographed at her 20th birthday, this white jacket and dress combo will be our next evening soiree go-to.
Photo: Getty Images
Working an afro, beaded '20s dress, and dripping in sparkle, Naomi attends an AIDS benefit in 1990 with legendary photographer Steven Meisel.
Photo: Getty Images
Naomi was wearing ornate hair grips before influencers fell for Simone Rochas' pearl slides.
Photo: Getty Images
Naomi's take on grunge, this '92 look is a masterclass in mixing your florals and making a flannel shirt relevant.
Photo: Getty Images
Micro bag? Check. Red-to-toe? Check. Statement earrings? Check, check, check. Every trend you think you've bossed, Naomi did it first.
Photo: Getty Images
A checked blazer might be your current favourite but, attending a Grace Coddington party in New York in '92, Naomi's got us reaching to the back of our wardrobes for our trusty oversized black one. Just add neon courts and ankle socks!
Photo: Getty Images
We left bodycon dresses in the '00s, but after seeing this shot of Campbell, we're buying a white number, stat – and loading on the gold jewellery, too.
Photo: Getty Images
What to wear to Amber Le Bon's birthday party? A battenburg-hued skirt suit, of course. Dionne Davenport, eat your heart out.
Photo: Getty Images
The shoulder straps, the neckline, the purple eyeshadow – never doubt Naomi's ability to command a room.
Photo: Getty Images
This is the summer occasion look we didn't know we needed: a pearl choker and draped Grecian dress.
Photo: Getty Images
If Almost Famous ' Penny Lane is your rock star muse, switch to NC, who makes the '70s look less boho and more "they can't afford me" which, incidentally, is what she said when asked why she never became a Victoria's Secret Angel.
Photo: Getty Images
Gingham's back again this summer, which Campbell predicted BITD.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock
With the tiny bag, micro glasses and white two-piece, this look wouldn't be out of place on the streets of fashion week. Of course, Campbell threw this look out back in '97.
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