Naomi Campbell, a true icon of the fashion industry, has left a mark on the world with her illustrious, glamorous career, iconic walk, and her countless accomplishments. As one of the most recognized and influential supermodels of all time, she has broken barriers and paved the way for a more diverse and inclusive fashion industry before those were buzzwords. Born in London, Campbell was discovered at just the age of 15 at the mall with her friends. Soon after, just days before her 16th birthday, she was on the cover of Elle. Her life soon became the stuff of legend. Her career skyrocketed as she quickly became a prominent figure in the fashion world. She graced the covers of countless magazines and walked the runways for prestigious designers such as Versace, Chanel, Alaïa, and many, many more. With her stunning looks, grace, and powerful presence, Campbell captivated audiences around the globe.
Beyond her modeling success, Campbell used her platform to champion racial equality within the industry. Throughout her career, she has fought against discrimination and demanded equal representation for models of all backgrounds. She was the first Black model to grace the cover of French and British Vogue, opening up doors for many Blackmodels after her. And she’s not just a pretty face. You can call the supermodel doctor as she received an honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts in the UK last year. Her contributions to fashion will never go unnoticed. It’s impossible to not think of Naomi Campbell when you hear the word supermodel.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Naomi Campbell attends “BOSS X NAOMI – Naomi Campbell’s Birthday Party” hosted by Daniel Grieder during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Villa Julia on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – 1991: Super model Naomi Campbell wears the latest from Italian designer and toast of Paris, Miami and New York, Gianni Versace, in a 1991 Los Angeles, California, fashion show. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
ESSENCE is giving the supermodel extraordinaire her flowers in celebration of her birthday. Her extraordinary career, tireless advocacy, and effortless charm make her one of the most beloved models of all time. Happy birthday to a true icon whose legacy will continue to shine brightly for years to come.
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See below her some of her most iconic looks from the past to the present.
1999 31st Annual Fifi Fragrance Awards At Avery Fisher Hall
E 352433 002 07 Jun 1999 New York City The 27Th Annual "Fifi Fragrance Awards At Avery Fisher Hall. Naomi Campbell. (Photo By Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
2023 76th Cannes Film Festival
Naomi Campbell attending the premiere for Killers of the Flower Moon during the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Saturday May 20, 2023. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire (Photo by Doug Peters/PA Images via Getty Images)
2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Naomi Campbell arrives at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)
2022 BAFTA Awards
British model Naomi Campbell poses on the red carpet upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
2000 CFDA Awards with Sean Combs
Naomi Campbell and Sean 'Puffy' Combs arrive at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards at Lincoln Center in new York City, 6/15/00.
2018 Black Girls Rock Awards
Naomi Campbell (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
2015 Costume Institute Benefit Gala
Naomi Campbell attends "China: Through the Looking Glass" 2015 Costume Institute Benefit Gala - red carpet arrivals at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. �� LAN (Photo by Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images)
2017 American Foundation for AIDS Research
British supermodel Naomi Campbell poses on the red carpet during the 2017 American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) Hong Kong gala at Shaw Studios in Hong Kong on March 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jayne Russell (Photo credit should read JAYNE RUSSELL/AFP via Getty Images)
2014 CFDA Awards with Rihanna
Naomi Campbell and Rihanna attend the 2014 Council of Designer of America Awards (CFDA)at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center June 2, 2014 in New York City. AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
2008 Red Carpet Event
Naomi Campbell Bei Der Osgar Verleihung In Leipzig . (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images)
2010 63rd Cannes International Film Festival
Naomi Campbell at the Premiere for 'Biutiful' during the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images)
1997 Marie Claire Magazine Fashion & Beauty Awards
Naomi Campbell during Marie Claire Magazine Fashion & Beauty Awards at Four Seasons Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
1993 Benefit Performance of "Rites of Spring"
Naomi Campbell (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
1998 Chloe SS98 Pret a Porter Runway Show
CHLOE: 98 SPRING SUMMER PRET A PORTER COLLECTION (Photo by THIERRY ORBAN/Sygma via Getty Images)
1996 Laroche A/W 96 Haute Couture Runway Show
AUTUMN/WINTER 96 HAUTE COUTURE COLLECTION: LAROCHE (Photo by THIERRY ORBAN/Sygma via Getty Images)
1995 68th Oscars Awards
68TH FILM OSCARS CEREMONY IN LOS ANGELES (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
1999 Naomi Campbell Private Party at Cabaret With Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown
British supermodel Naomi Campbell and American R&B and pop singer, actress, and former fashion model Whitney Houston, with her husband R&B singer-songwriter Bobby Brown. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images)
1999 Fashion of The Oscars Party
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 22: Naomi Campbell attends a, Fashion of The Oscars Party, hosted by US Vouge, at Christies in London, on February 22, 1999, in London, England. (Photo by UK Press via Getty Images)
Early 90s At The Palladium Nightclub With Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross and Naomi Campbell at Palladium
(Photo By: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
1993 Chloe Fall Ready to Wear Runway Show
Model Naomi Campbell Collection was designed by Karl Lagerfeld (Photo by Michael Biondo/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
English model Naomi Campbell presents a new creation by French fashion house Chanel on October 17, 1994 as part of the Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collections. / AFP / Gérard JULIEN (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Woman under the stars show
ROME, ITALY: British model Naomi Campbell wears an evening gown by Gianni Versace for "Donna sotto le stelle," Woman under the stars, organized in memory of Italian stylist Versace on the steps of Trinita dei Monti 11 September. The fashion evening, usually set at the end of Rome Fashion Show, was specially dedicated to Versace who was killed in July. (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Givenchy Spring 2016
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 26: Naomi Campbell walks the runway at the Givenchy Spring Summer 2016 fashion show during Paris Menswear Fashion Week on June 26, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images)
2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Supermodel Naomi Campbell walks the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the 69th Regiment Armory November 13, 2003 in New York City. The fashion show will air November 19, 2003 on CBS. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Off/White Spring/Summer 2018
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 28: Naomi Campbell walks the runway during the Off/White show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on September 28, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)
Givenchy Couture 1997
Le mannequin Naomi Campbell lors du Défilé haute-couture Givenchy printemps-été 1997 en janvier 1997 à Paris en France. (Photo by Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)