This year Naomi Campbell celebrates 30 years in fashion!
Instagram Launches #RunwayforAll Campaign to Promote Diversity in Fashion
A career spanning three decades is a rarity for fashion models as the job usually comes with an expiration date for most.
In an interview with CNN Style, she explained the industry’s general attitude on a model’s career.
“They can only work for 11 years, it’s the maximum and they’re out. They’re done. They’re no good anymore.”
The icon, who recently published her first coffee table book of a retrospective on her work, thinks and proves differently.
“If you have that mindset then that’s what you’ll do. You’ll stop at 11 years,” she said. “I don’t think about age and years, I just do what I do.”
14 Black Women in Music Who Have Inspired Our Personal Style
The philosophy has gotten her countless covers, spreads, runways shows, TV shows, awards, and a place in history as one of the world’s first and most celebrated supermodels.
And in addition to adding her own crack in fashion’s color barrier since the late 80s, Naomi has trumped stereotypes that models are airheads and shouldn’t be allowed to speak.
“Oh really?!” she exclaimed in response to the insight she shared. After all, she’s never been shy about expressing herself.
Chanel Teams up With Pharrell for Fashion Partnership
We second that ‘Oh really,’ Naomi, and raise you a congratulations on slaying it in fashion for the last 30 years.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.