LARUICCI X DAZED MAGAZINE AND NAOMI CAMPBELL
Naomi Campbell: ‘I never said I was perfect... I’m a work in progress’
In a career of head-spinning fashion firsts, Naomi Campbell has actively helped shape the cultural zeitgeist. For her Dazed cover debut, she talks superstar collaborators, Real Housewives and vibing with Miley.
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Pluck a picture of Naomi Campbell from anywhere, and she can recall it with startling clarity. Her near-photographic memory is so sharp, so laser-focused, that even the tilt of a beret, the fall of a silk slip dress, and the texture of any singular moment is seized by the mind of Ms Campbell. In one of the latest episodes of her YouTube series, Being Naomi, when discussing the exact style of ponytail she wanted for last year’s Met Gala, she referenced a 38-year-old Steven Meisel image of herself at 16 years old as if it were taken just yesterday.
However, like the best of us, she can fall victim to a good old technical difficulty. And just my luck, there is some troubleshooting ahead of our call today, but fortunately, her virtual entourage is sizeable and on hand. “She just has to click the link, right?” her team asks, seeking assurances. “She’ll be on any minute now.” It’s only a little past the scheduled call time, but she’s working it out. Though, they’re absolutely certain that the camera will be off on this occasion. It’s only a brief moment I'm granted with her whilst she is in transit, between the meetings, fittings, glamour and, believe it or not, banalities of her day-to-day operations. So when her screen fires up, ‘NC iPhone 16’ filling the frame for a moment, it’s a welcome surprise when the front-facing camera awakens and she graces us from the confines of the back of a car. It’s a pretty picture, the leather seats so fresh I can almost smell them through the screen. “Good Afternoon, how are you doing?” She starts with that instantly recognisable voice. “Nice to meet you, Kacion.” I know she is short on time and so before any more is wasted on the initial pleasantries, I insist on jumping right into it, to which she perkily replies: “Alrighty!”
Still I can’t quite keep my gaze off of her immaculately placed hair. Then, quite suddenly, the camera shuts down and I am left having to use my imagination for the rest of our conversation. No qualms here, hers is a face that’s etched into the minds of many. Today’s face was framed by loose waves and that infamous parting.
There are many famous partings, like Moses and the Red Sea, Titanic’s Jack and Rose, or NeNe Leakes and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. But none quite hold the cultural significance of the past century’s most famous parting, the one worn by none other than Naomi Campbell. The parting that Beth Boldt gave her after scouting her as she window-shopped in Covent Garden in her mid-teens. The parting that’s framed that face. A face synonymous with that walk and a slew of imitators. A walk that’s seen more runway than a Boeing 737. It is the parting of all partings.
Naomi Campbell is no mere witness to history; she has actively shaped it. A participant in culture-shifting music videos with Bob Marley and Michael Jackson, and taste-making work from Meisel and Demarchelier to Rafael Pavarotti and Malick Bodian. She’s a rarity, a beacon of beauty, a well of experiences and a holder of invaluable history that today, she’s willing to share. As she regales me with titbits from Helmut Newton to meetings with the Nigerian minister of culture, I start to truly appreciate just how colourful a life she has lived. Graceful and quick as a whippet, she offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of a living icon.
You have been the first to have many significant achievements throughout your career. The first Black model on the cover of TIME (September 1991), French Vogue (August 1988), and American Vogue’s September issue (1989). Last year, you were the first supermodel to have a major solo exhibition at the V&A Museum. And now, your first Dazed cover! I was surprised to find out that you’ve never had one before.
Naomi Campbell: I’m happy to be doing Dazed, and I am happy to be doing it with Ib [Kamara]. I believe in good timing, there isn’t a rush. It comes in the timing it’s supposed to; that’s my philosophy in life.
Gianni Versace tells me there’s a call for me after the show, and it’s Michael [Jackson] on the phone... You know, I’ve lived a blessed life
I don’t know if Ib told you, but the best part is it’s with a team of Geminis. Me, Ib and you, of course. One of the most legendary Geminis there is.
Naomi Campbell: Hahaha! What day are you?
I’m on the 27th.
Naomi Campbell: Wow… Yep, Gemini season. It’s coming up!
In which ways do you resonate with our star sign?
Naomi Campbell: I think people misunderstand twin-flame Geminis. They’re like ‘Oh, you’re two-faced’. No! We have two sides to us, yes, but the two sides are… There are times when we are extroverted and there are times when we are introverted. [Sometimes] we can’t get out of the door, or it takes me ten attempts to walk into an event and get in the right frame of mind. I have this saying that being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. That’s where Geminis are misunderstood, but we are the ultimate communicators and connectors.
How are you misunderstood? What is the reality of being Naomi that the public might not understand?
Naomi Campbell: You know what? For me, it’s the people who love me and the people that I love and care about. I can’t please everybody. All that I do is transparent, and I am very loyal to the people I love. I care about the people I love. I value my long relationships. In friendships, I don’t have time for the word ‘frivolous’. I don’t associate with that word, it’s not who I am. When I care, I care… but don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.
I love catching a glimpse of this in your YouTube series. I’m glad you’ve brought it back. What are we to expect in this new season?
Naomi Campbell: Oh, just me! I give you a glimpse into my life. I even forget the camera is there. I want to control my own narrative, and there’s no better way to do it than to just show. People always want to understand what it’s like to do what we do and how we do it, and I just wanted to give them a glimpse of that. Honestly, I started this before Covid, and I slowed it down when I had my kids. Then I decided to pick it up again, because so many of my supporters were like, “We miss it!”
It feels quite reality TV-adjacent. I know you’re an avid fan of reality TV yourself, did that also play into things?
Naomi Campbell: The first person I ever heard talk about reality TV was my cousin, Kidada Jones. She said, ‘I need to film you. People don’t know how funny you are!’ And I was like, ‘OK’. Of course, I love my cousin. I trust her, so I let her film me, and my reality became reality TV! Haha. I live a very colourful life, and I want to share it.
OK, so, tell us. What are you watching at the moment?
Naomi Campbell: Well, [talk show host] Andy Cohen knows this, but I am a huge Bravo Housewives fan. That’s my biggest one.
Who’s your favourite?
Naomi Campbell: It would have to be per show. So, let’s start with Atlanta. I like Porsha. Beverly Hills? Oooh. Well, Beverly Hills has had a shake-up, right? I think I’m going to stick with Kyle because she’s been there from the get-go.
And Potomac?
Naomi Campbell: That changes, too. Well, I respect Giselle for having raised her kids alone and being a single mother. I also like the other lady who has her two little boys. You know, I respect the women who are single mothers, raising kids and doing it on their own. Working and multitasking are something I have a big respect for.
I want people to know that recovery is a very positive thing. That in getting clean and sober, your life only gets better
Naturally. You’ve spoken about being raised by your single mother in the past. You were spotted window shopping in Covent Garden by Beth Boldt, who wanted to sign you to Synchro modelling agency, but your mum only gave in after she saw the pictures you took. She was quite hesitant for you to get into the business at first. What do you think she hoped for you back then, and what did you envision for yourself?
Naomi Campbell: I really didn’t know. I was too young, to be honest with you. I have a very strong female presence in my family that is all around me to this day, and has been around me since I came into this world. My aunts, my mother and grandmother instilled so much in me. I’m grateful to have my family and to see the strength of women. They uphold me.
And now, as a mother of two, what are you hoping to impart to your children?
Naomi Campbell: I want to pass on the inner strength, the discipline. Pass on the things that were shared with me from my grandmother, my aunts and my mother. The most important thing for me is for my kids to be happy. I’m fortunate enough to travel with my kids. I was also fortunate enough for that to happen with me and my mother. I want them to see with their eyes, and I’m blessed to be able to do that. I think that’s an education in itself.
As a model, you’re often the face of representation. For Black women, especially. It’s certainly a gift, but how do you carry that responsibility?
Naomi Campbell: I take it seriously and I never want to let my culture down. I always want to be transparent. I feel the support and so I want to be supportive back in any way that I can. Someone came up to me two nights ago, a young artist, and said, “Please, I want you to come to my show.” I will go, and If I love what I see and can connect him to a gallerist, I’ll do it! I love doing things like that. I’m a dreamer, and when I dream, I love it when I can make them a reality – not necessarily for me, but for others. Everyone says to me that if I weren’t a model or doing what I do, I’d be an amazing manager.
What’s interesting is that you have also met and known a lot of powerful and leading men in your life, whether that’s through personal relationships or your time interviewing world leaders for GQ. I’m sure you’re asked about them a lot.
Naomi Campbell: Powerful men and powerful women!
Exactly! I’d love for you to tell me about some of the formidable women you have encountered.
Naomi Campbell: OMG! I was just with the minister of culture in Nigeria [Hannatu Musa Musawa], who is amazing. I was with Amina Mohammed [deputy secretary-general of the United Nations] a couple of weeks ago. Princess Reema [Saudi ambassador to the US]. What they do, what they carry, I have such respect for. They are representatives of their countries and their continent, and they carry it so well. The changes that they are making – the positive, amazing changes… It’s amazing to see how things are changing so quickly. I’m happy that I’m here to witness these changes. I gotta live in optimism. I can’t live in pessimism, it’s just not who I am. I think you would understand that as a Gemini.
You are also seen as an inspiration. But who inspires you, Naomi?
Naomi Campbell: I’m not perfect. I never said I was perfect, and I don’t ever want to be portrayed as perfect. I am a work in progress. In life, you grow, you mature and you get wiser. I am spiritual, and I do believe in God. I do pray, I do turn it over, I love recovery. I’m proud of my recovery. I want people to know that recovery is a very positive thing. I want people to know that getting clean and sober, your life only gets better. You don’t lose your creativity, it only enhances it. When I say I’m transparent, that’s what I mean. I’m not here to hide anything. Ups and downs, we’ve had ’em! But I think of them differently; I look at them as blessings. If I couldn’t see something, God showed me it in a different way. I’m not here to blame. I remove them from my life, and I consider that a blessing.
You mentioned that, at 29, you had a huge moment of self-realisation. What was so significant about that point in your life?
Naomi Campbell: I got sober. It was the first time that I realised [the importance of] self-care. Knowing that it was OK to do self-care and not feel guilty about it, or like you’re missing something. You’re missing nothing. Without self-care, you’re only going to get so far without falling to your knees. That is why I still have this thing where I wish they would teach about recovery, because once you learn it, it never leaves you. It’s always there, and I’m not someone who goes around preaching about recovery, by the way. If somebody comes to me who is genuine, and they really want my help, I will give it. That’s how you’re supposed to do it.
I’m very loyal to the people I love. When I care, I care... but don’t mistake my kindness for weakness
What’s something that you have learned from young women today?
Naomi Campbell: I think young women today know what they want, and they go out and get it. They seem to be very clear on what they want, and they do it with full execution. I love that. I love someone who knows what they want; I don’t like people who don’t know what they want. I love someone who is clear, who can be straight up with you in saying what they want. Those are the kinds of people I will help because they are straight up with me.
This is the perfect segue into Miley Cyrus; I feel like she captures what you’ve described quite perfectly. She seems like somebody who knows exactly what she wants. How did both of you get to collaborating?
Naomi Campbell: Well, we both used to work with this great hairdresser called Oribe [Canales], and so we had that friendship in common. I reached out to Edward [Enninful] when I was doing the V&A, saying I would love to ask Miley to do a video to put in the exhibition. I had that section where everyone did a video and spoke about me, however they wanted. And so Edward connected us, and we were in a group, and then Miley said she would do it. Then she said I have an ask of you. She told me, and I was like, ‘OK, let’s do it! It’s fun, it’s Miley!’ I absolutely love her, [she’s] the utmost professional. Just the sweetest, most humble person. I loved her before, and I love her more after spending time with her. Her voice, the way she carries herself, the talent is beyond!
You’re starring with her in a video, I’ve been told?
Naomi Campbell: I’m on “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved”.
And you’re also appearing on the new record [Something Beautiful], right?
Naomi Campbell: Correct.
I’ve not heard it yet, so… are you singing? Reciting something?
Naomi Campbell: You’ll hear it… I hope it will be a song for the summer.
Oh?
Naomi Campbell: Yep. We need to come up with something fun the kids can do in the clubs.
Now, we know this is not your first rodeo in the music industry. Babywoman [Campbell’s album from 1994] is quite iconic, there’s such lore surrounding it on the internet nowadays as younger people rediscover it.
Naomi Campbell: For me, it’s just fun to be able to do something like this, which is not my day job. To be able to be a part of this with [Miley] is an honour, a pleasure, it’s fun. I can play it for my kids one day and say, ‘Look! Mummy did this’. My kids love music; we were dancing in the kitchen yesterday. They were like, ‘Mummy, put this song on, put that song on. Louder, mummy, louder!’
If you were releasing a follow-up to Babywoman today, who would you most like to work with?
Naomi Campbell: Oh my God, there are so many great people out there. You know I love Keinemusik, Black Coffee. I love amapiano, Afro-house. Listen, I don’t drink, I don’t, you know, but the one thing I love to do is have a good old dance. When there is good music, I’m in my sneakers and shorts and a T-shirt, and I am getting down! Dancing is therapy.
And now you’re getting behind the decks too, I hear?
Naomi Campbell: Rampa, AKA Gregor from Keinemusik, bought me a DJ deck at Christmas. Prior to that, I’d always loved doing music, and I would DJ privately at my friends’ homes impromptu on two iPods. You know the old iPods? I still use them. Then I started taking lessons, and my friend, DJ Charles, teaches me. But seeing Rampa perform over the last summer gave me the courage to come out more, and all my friends were encouraging. The decks were intimidating – so many buttons, very confusing. He asked if I was serious about this, and I said yes. Now I’ve done a few gigs and I have some [more] coming up. I love it. My taste is very eclectic. From rock and rap to house, reggae, pop, soul, R&B and dancehall.
I don’t have time for the word ‘frivolous’. I don’t associate with the word, it’s not who I am
Dancehall?
Naomi Campbell: Well, I am of Jamaican heritage. It would be a sin, wouldn’t it? Haha! I’m not saying that I’m going to be in your local nightclub, but I will do special gigs for special events. Who knows, maybe we can do something fun when this comes out?
I’ll hold you to that! How often do you practise?
Naomi Campbell: I did a lesson last night. I do three to four lessons a week because it’s really important to learn how to mix right. I love learning new things.
And if I want to see you, where am I likely to find you behind the decks?
Naomi Campbell: Erm… God. I mean, this summer for sure. I may be doing something soon in the south of France. I can let you know. Often, the case is that we don’t really announce it. Friends of mine will be playing, and I’ll just get up and go behind. It’s less pressure also [that way]. But I don’t mind if there are going to be gigs and they do announce me, that’s fine too. I was on Easter vacation and I DJed at the hotel, that was fun. The most important thing is that you love what you are playing and you convey that to people so they love it too. I have to say thanks to Rampa for giving me the courage to step out because I never thought that I would.
Is it true that Herb Ritts was the one who prompted you to get in the studio to record music? What were your experiences like with Herb?
Naomi Campbell: Oh, he was brilliant. Steven [Meisel] and Herb were really good friends [of mine], and it was nice when we were together in Los Angeles or New York. I miss his voice. He encouraged you; he pushed you to do more than you do. I nearly died that day [in 1991] when I was shooting the Alaia story, the leopard story, and these two men came up and I didn’t know who they were. Afterwards, when they left, [Herb] said, “OK, they’re the heads of Virgin Records, they are going to sign you.” And I was like, “What?!” After that, I went on to Sony Records. I couldn’t believe it. The next thing I know, Gianni Versace is telling me there’s a phone call for me after the fashion show upstairs in his house, which was in Via Gesù, where the show used to be. Michael [Jackson] is on the phone and then Herb calls and suddenly it’s all happening. Then I’m in the studio doing recordings for Michael’s [song] “In the Closet”. You know, I’ve lived a blessed life.
What if I say the name Jean-Paul Goude?
Naomi Campbell: Jean-Paul Goude, when you work with him, because he has all the sketches ready and done, is the perfectionist of perfectionists. But it’s so much joy [to do] because you get to see the story, and you are a part of it. It’s always a pleasure working with Jean-Paul Goude.
David LaChapelle?
Naomi Campbell: David LaChapelle, too! I love it when there’s a story to tell and they explain it to you. Most of the photographers I love to work with are that way. David has a story and a vision; he tells you what he wants. Even with the snake picture, I was so nervous, but it was so much fun. I have fun. Even to this day, the shoot I did last week, I had fun. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it any more.
Last one: Helmut Newton? He’s one of my favourite photographers of all time.
Naomi Campbell: Oh my God, Helmut Newton was fun too. Yes, he had a strong personality, but if you understood how to work with him… He loved you to talk back to him, if you had a question, not disrespectfully. If you had anything you could add to what he was doing. He was clear in what he wanted. He wanted very strong, he wanted provocative. And you knew that going into it.
I wonder if you ever look at an image and can’t recall the moment? There are just so many images of you, Naomi.
Naomi Campbell: No. I remember. I remember my pictures. I remember my moments, I remember my time. That’s one thing that my friends say: I have a good memory. I thank God that I can remember till today, let’s hope it stays that way.
Has there ever been a discussion of a Naomi Campbell biopic?
Naomi Campbell: Maybe.
Right, so, who would play you?
Naomi Campbell: Probably someone unknown. Somebody has to capture the essence. I don’t want someone to play what they think should be me, or what they perceive me to be. They would have to be with me for a while. And I would want to be involved in my narratives, whichever way they are played out. The producer. If anyone else does it in any other way, they’ll never get it right. What I am going to do is tell my truth and my life in real time. That’s what most people are going to want, and that’s what I am going to give.
What are you celebrating in the middle of this decade, and what are you expecting by the end of it?
Naomi Campbell: I’m not celebrating anything. My celebration is waking up every day, knowing I can breathe, and I have two amazing kids who call me mummy. My mother, my family and my close friends, and that’s it. It’s not that deep. When I was younger, people would say it gets more simple as you get older, and I get it now. You just want to have quality time with the people that you love.
Source: https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/66950/1/naomi-campbell-summer-2025-issue-model-fashion
Credits:
Shot by IB Kamara
Styling IB Kamara
Mua Ngozi Edeme
Hair Lorenzo Barcella
Nails Michelle Class @michelleclassnails
Set by Ibby Njoya @ibbynjoya