Naomi Campbell is making waves once again, this time through two major campaigns showcasing her enduring influence in the fashion and beauty industries. The 49-year-old supermodel recently starred alongside Dame Vivienne Westwood for the fashion label's spring-summer 2020 campaign, reconnecting with the iconic designer nearly three decades after she famously stumbled on Westwood’s catwalk.
The campaign imagery, beautifully captured by renowned photographer Juergen Teller, presents Campbell against vibrant neon-lit settings mixed with the backstreets of Paris, where the show took place. One stunning image features Campbell posing nude, save for a pair of tan heels and an extravagant black tulle headdress, which reaffirms her comfort with bold fashion statements. The visual and thematic choices of the campaign echo Westwood’s inspiration drawn from mythology.
“When I design clothes they always have to have a story… we were on our way to paradise and we were all going to change from fish to birds…” explained Dame Vivienne Westwood, illuminating the collection’s conceptual depth.
Adding to the conversation around self-expression, Campbell reflected, “I believe things in life come along when they are meant to. It’s taken 33 years to do a Westwood Campaign, and I’m so happy to be doing it in my 49th year. It’s meant to be when it’s meant to be…” This sentiment encapsulates Campbell’s long-standing relationship with the industry, constantly reinventing herself yet never losing her genuine essence.
On another front, Campbell also appears prominently in Maybelline’s latest advertising campaign for the Instant Eraser Concealer, aimed at captivating younger audiences. The advertisement, which debuted during the Emmy Awards, features fellow icons Gigi Hadid and Ru Paul, showcasing the generational bridge these stars represent. Together, they engage the audience with witty banter about the essence of beauty and self-confidence.
Trisha Ayyagari, global brand president for Maybelline New York, stated, “Instant Eraser is one of the most important innovations in Maybelline history, and consumers have loved it for years. We wanted to celebrate it with a fun twist, putting the story in the hands of true generational trailblazers.” The campaign employs humor and nostalgia, illustrating how long-standing brands like Maybelline are innovatively addressing the competitive makeup market.
Within the rapidly changing beauty industry, Ayyagari stresses the importance of balancing nostalgia with innovation. “How do we continue to stay at the forefront of innovation, so we’ll always be relevant, and at the same time, give people a sense of nostalgia…” she mentioned, demonstrating how Maybelline aims to appeal both to loyal customers and new generations.
The resurgence of classic ads, such as the revamped “Maybe It’s Maybelline” jingle on TikTok, showcases how the brand is adapting to modern trends without losing its rich heritage. “The jingle embodies the self-confidence and self-expression in the brand’s DNA,” Ayyagari added, capturing the essence of what Maybelline has stood for since its inception.
Naomi Campbell’s involvement with both Vivienne Westwood and Maybelline highlights the intersection of fashion legacy and contemporary beauty narratives. Her stature as not just a model but also as an influential icon continues to inspire the fashion world across generations.
By bridging conversations between fashion and beauty, Campbell is not just modeling clothes or makeup; she’s embodying the stories these brands wish to tell. While the fashion industry relentlessly evolves, figures like Campbell remind us of the power and importance of individual voice and identity.