Naomi Campbell: The Supermodel’s Journey

Born in 1970 in South London, the supermodel, actor, singer, and fashion icon Naomi Elaine Campbell began her modeling journey at fifteen years old after a scout spotted her hanging out in Covent Garden after school. Within a year, Naomi appeared on the front cover of British Elle, and she worked steadily from then on, appearing in magazines and on the catwalk in Paris, Milan, Japan, and New York for fashion designers such as Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Gianni Versace, Virgil Abloh, and Yves Saint Laurent.

In 1987, Naomi became the first Black model since 1966 to don the cover of British Vogue; in 1988, she was the first Black model ever to appear on the cover of French Vogue; and in 1989, she was the first Black cover star of the coveted September issue of American Vogue.

“For my very first September issue, I had decided to put Naomi Campbell on the cover because to me she represented everything that was happening in fashion at that time. She was beautiful. She was fun. She loved fashion. She was every designer’s favorite model.” — Anna Wintour\

In recent years, Naomi represented Britain during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, joined the reality television show The Face, appeared on Empire and American Horror Story, and started her web series No Filter With Naomi.

Naomi shines in other areas beyond modeling. Here are a few fast facts about the British fashion icon:

1. 1. Her image appeared on a postage stamp. Naomi appeared on the seventy-five-euro-cent stamp that the Austrian Post Office issued in 2006 in connection with the AIDS charity Vienna Life Ball.
2. 2. Nelson Mandela considered her an “honorary granddaughter". Former South African President Nelson Mandela invited her to travel to South Africa to meet with him in 1994 after she donated to the African National Congress. Mandela called Naomi his “honorary granddaughter,” and the supermodel organized a fashion show in 1998 to support the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
3. 3. She originally wanted to be a dancer. Naomi studied dance from ages three to sixteen, including a stint at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Naomi’s mother was a modern dancer who toured with the dance troupe Fantastica and Naomi tap-danced in Culture Club’s “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” music video in the 1980s. She’s appeared in several other music videos, including her first public appearance ever in the video for Bob Marley’s song “Is This Love” at the age of eight.
4. 4. She was one of the world’s first supermodels. In the 1980s and 1990s, the “Big Six”—Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, and Claudia Schiffer—converged in New York City. Considered the world’s first supermodels, they did more than model clothes; they were celebrities. They also supported one another: Naomi says that Christy and Linda helped get her a gig with Dolce & Gabbana by saying, “If you don’t use Naomi, you don’t get us.”
5. 5. She’s received international recognition for her charity work. Naomi was named an ambassador of Rio de Janeiro by the city’s mayor for her efforts to fight poverty in the region with her charity We Love Brazil and awarded Honorary Patronage of Trinity College’s University Philosophical Society for her charitable fundraising work. In 2005 she founded Fashion for Relief to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Naomi’s prolific experience in the fashion industry gives her the know-how to help you develop your strengths and become a successful model. In her class on modeling fundamentals, Naomi Campbell talks candidly about what it takes to become an haute couture model:

1. 1. Posing is acting without words. Naomi believes that posing shouldn’t feel posed at all—instead, it should feel as if the photographer has caught you mid-movement. “The fundamentals of posing for me is to make it look natural, and not make it look forced, and make it flow,” Naomi says. “Movement is important, so you don’t look stiff.” In her class, you’ll learn to think of posing as an extension of a character you’re playing and to trust your body. She adds, “It’s acting, through body language, but without words.”
2. 2. Become a chameleon. If you want to work on multiple ad campaigns, you must learn to embrace different looks. “Learning how to become a chameleon is important because you do not want to look the same in multiple campaigns,” Naomi says. “You have to learn to change.” Naomi will teach you to access different parts of yourself to achieve different looks and attitudes. As a model, she says, “it’s your job to be changed, as many different facets of you that you can explore.”
3. 3. Stay within your center. When booking a modeling job, you’ll find the competition is fierce. Naomi encourages you not to hide your light. “You just have to be ready to turn it on and do what you do,” she says. “And make sure you’re noticed. Don’t try to be overly extra; just try to stay within your center, and do the best that you can.” You’ll learn how to build your confidence, tap into your power, and enjoy the process, whether you’re prepping for a casting call or a board meeting.
4. 4. Embrace rejection. “You’re not going to get every job that you put yourself out there for. You’re just not,” Naomi says. “There’s always rejection, and you should embrace it rather than be fearful of it.” Letting go of the results will protect your self-esteem from inevitable disappointments. “They like you; you’re the right fit. Or they don’t like you; that’s it. Simple,” she says. “And if you don’t get it, ‘Okay, that wasn’t for me, moving on to the next.’” Remember: “Everyone’s path is different. It’s not personal.”
5. 5. Practice your stride. Naomi suggests practicing as much as you can to perfect your runway walk. “I encourage you to practice walking to a song that makes you feel energized whenever you hear it,” she adds. “Record yourself, make adjustments, and remember that at the end of the day, you want to enter a room with a stride and presence that reflects who you are.” In her class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of a confident stride that you can apply to the catwalk and any area of your life.

To learn more about design and style, try one of these classes from our MasterClass instructors:

1. 1. Tan France Teaches Style for Everyone: Stylist, designer, and Queer Eye cohost Tan France believes anyone can achieve great style and look their best with the proper guidance. Watch Tan’s class to learn everything you need to know to develop your personal style, which include his tips on [how to take fashion risks](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tan-france-shares-tips-for-taking-fashion-risks], shop for denim, and edit your wardrobe.
2. 2. Marc Jacobs Teaches Fashion Design: Iconic fashion designer Marc Jacobs has worked in the fashion industry for more than thirty years, creating one of the most successful clothing labels in recent history (his namesake brand) and injecting new life into Louis Vuitton. Watch Marc’s class to learn where he gets inspiration, how he navigated the fashion industry, how to discover your own creative process, and his tips for aspiring fashion designers.
3. 3. Diane von Furstenberg Teaches Building a Fashion Brand: Designer, model, and inventor of the wrap dress Diane von Furstenberg has broken down barriers since the 1970s with her stunning work. Watch Diane’s class to learn how to create a brand identify and find the courage and tenacity required to thrive in the fashion industry.

Discovered at the age of fifteen, Naomi Campbell—then an aspiring dancer—had a lot to learn about modeling. Through her adaptability, improvisation skills, and love of movement, Naomi has successfully navigated the fashion industry for decades—all while staying true to herself. With the MasterClass Annual Membership, discover one of the original supermodel’s tips for how to pose, perfect your runway walk, build confidence, and deal with adversity.