Cover

MiSS
CaMPBeLL

will see
you now
Icon. Diva. Super. Mentor?

Could fashions notoriously ery enfant terrible be going

soft around the edges? Hardly. Naomi Campbell talks to
Gloria Ogunbambo about what it takes to be The Face,
why tough is the only kind of love shes interested in and
why her crusade against racism in fashion is far from over.
Well obviously not, Naomi
Campbell remarks, with a languid
gesture that suggests to me that
the answer to my question should
be, well obvious. The question
being, whether her status as one
of the worlds most instantly
recognisable women requires that
she be in full-on glamour mode
at all times. Considering the
fact that her five-foot-ten frame
is currently encased within the
unexpectedly casual get-up of
black exercise leggings, hoodie,
sandals and trucker hat, Im
guessing thats a no. I like the
transformation, but when Im not
working you know, I just want to
be easy and thats it.

Upon my entry into the room, she

politely smiles, greeting me in
her transatlantic twang and fixing
me with a gaze that suggests that
whatevers about to come out of
my mouth had better be good.
Simply put, Miss Campbell is all
about business. Any attempt on
my part, no matter how trivial,
to gain even the teensiest bit of
insight into the inner workings
of her personal life is well and
truly rebuffed; much less any
talk concerning her relationship,
or lack thereof as the case may
be, with Russian billionaire
Vladislav Doronin. If were
to believe tabloid reports, the
two are currently on a break

how very Ross and Rachel. An

innocuous enquiry about her
most extravagant purchase is
met with a curt, I wont disclose
that. I never disclose things like
that. Ever. Despite her reticence
to open up about her personal
life, the one issue that she has no
problem speaking out about, and
extremely passionately at that,
is the fashion worlds ongoing
refusal to make the industry not
only more diverse but, heaven
forbid, actually reflective of the
society we live in.
Now, this isnt the first time
that Campbell has made noise
about the rampant racism that

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Im not going
to discriminate.
Im here to give
all models an
opportunity
regardless of
race, colour or
creed.

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Breaking
Down A Diva
To keep my skin looking youthful
I use Dr Sebaghs products serums
and creams and especially, when the
weathers warmer, a scrub. I also drink
a lot of water. Its quite simple actually.
Nothing magical.
When my hair needs to be onpoint I go to Johnnie Sapong if
Im in London or I fly in Lorenzo whos
from Milan. It really depends on what
country Im in.
In my make-up bag youll find
Not much. I use a lot of Nars, Bobbi
Brown, Laura Mercier and Kevyn
Aucoin products. Personally, I dont
like to put a lot of make up on when
Im not working; I think skin has to
breathe. Alex Babsky often does my
make up.
My guilty pleasure is chocolate, I
love a plain Galaxy bar.
My must have beauty tip would
be drink lots of water. Boring, I
know.
My favourite place is in the air.
Im a gypsy. England is my home first
and foremost but I do like travelling
around the world and I never seem to
tire of it.
I maintain my enviable physique
with yoga and I try to eat really well
lots of fish.
Shoes or bags? Both.
My favourite designers labels are
Alexander McQueen, Alaa, Versace
and on the high street, Topshop for
fun things.

persists in the fashion world, but over the last few months,
that noise has grown into an almighty din that is becoming
increasingly harder for the fashion industry elite to ignore.
In a now infamous Channel 4 interview that aired on the eve
of this Septembers London Fashion Week, Campbell blasted
the industry that made her a household name calling it guilty
of racist acts, and shockingly, even more racist than it was
in her 1990s hey-day. The honorary granddaughter of South
African humanitarian Nelson Mandela might not share his
non-confrontational style, but shes definitely been bitten by
the activism bug, teaming up with fashion activist Bethann
Hardison and fellow model Iman to throw every ounce of her
influence behind the Diversity Coalition campaign to tackle the
problem head on. Furious that black, as well as other minority
ethnic model sightings were of the blink-and-youll-miss them
variety in the New York and London catwalk presentations of
many designers, Campbell refused to take the fact lying down,
releasing an offenders list that named and shamed the likes of
Victoria Beckham, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Donna
Karan.
Its that same commitment and dedication to the cause, thats
seen her become the unofficial, fairy godmother of sorts to
black models in the industry, her already established position
affording her the freedom to speak up when they cant. British
model Jourdan Dunn in particular, cant say enough about
Campbells steady support throughout her career. I love
Jourdan, she coos, but do I think things are improving
at a good rate? No. Thats a big part of me doing the show.
Im not going to discriminate. Im here to give all models an
opportunity regardless of race, colour or creed.
The show, the globe-straddling, Streatham-born, supermodel
is referring to is of course, upcoming reality series The
Face. Pitching itself somewhere in between the drama and
entertainment value offered by The Voice and, the dog-eatdog, every person for themselves mentality of The Apprentice,
the show on which Campbell does double duty as both
mentor and executive producer puts wannabe models
through their paces (not to mention the wringer), drawing on
their mentors years of experience within the fashion world, in
a race to land a coveted modelling contract with make-up giant
Max Factor. Following a successful first run stateside, this
month, Campbell, flanked ably by fellow models and friends
Caroline Winberg and Erin OConnor, launches the show for
UK audiences, something shes extremely excited about. Im
happy to be bringing the show here obviously, because Im
from here. Ive rejected a lot of TV shows in the past, because
I just thought thats not who I am and I really like my privacy.
After meeting with [TV executive] Elizabeth Murdoch, I knew
it was a go. I like shows where someone gets a chance in life.
With nearly three decades of experience under her belt and,
a much keener understanding of the peaks and pitfalls of
the fashion world than most, in an industry that venerates
youth and beauty, affording the clothes hangers acting as

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Im competitive
and sometimes
that means
I do go off. I
dont want
to lose and if
that happens,
I dont take it
lightly.

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When you make a

commitment, you have
to honour it, even if you
miss out on other things.
cogs in its wheels a notoriously
brief shelf life, Campbell has
managed to defy fashions fickle
revolving door to remain en
faveur. Having met her, its not
difficult to see why. Sure, her
razor sharp cheekbones, flawless
skin, impossibly honed limbs
and plump lips may well have
granted her access, but its steely
determination, unwavering
focus, a near indomitable aura
and a tight-knit support system
that have helped keep her firmly
within fashions magic circle. (I
dont listen to just anyone: I take
advice and criticism from people
I know and respect. Ive made my
circle smaller and, I dont have
obsessive people around me and
if they are obsessive, they soon
find their way out the door.) Its
this same froideur that makes
her simultaneously terrifying and
fascinating and, above all else,
one fiery glamazon of a mentor.
Im tough love. My girls call me
drill sergeant because I do get
what I want out of them. The way
I see it, in the end when theyre
victorious, theyll think it was
all worth it. Im competitive and
sometimes that means I do go off.
I dont want to lose and if that
happens, I dont take it lightly.
After being granted an exclusive
preview of the series first two
episodes, I dont at all doubt
that fact. One of Campbells first
straight-to-camera moments sees
her declare, without the faintest
flicker of emotion, I tell it like

it is. I dont want to be friends

with my girls. Talk about setting
the tone. On another occasion,
which sees all three judges go in
for the same girl, after listening
patiently to fellow mentors Erin
and Caroline as they make their
cases, she coolly states, I want
you. I always get what I want.
Needless to say, the end result is
a victory for Team Naomi. Similar
incidents aside, immediately
casting the supermodel in the
archetypal pantomime villain
role would be an undeserved
oversimplification. And besides,
in that regard at least, she faces
some stiff competition from an
increasingly insidious Caroline
Winberg. The many side-eyes and
tongue-lashings administered
by Campbell arent reserved
solely for her band of hopefuls,
but every other hopeful, and at
times their mentors too. While
certain conclusions can be drawn,
nobody can doubt Naomis
commitment to the cause and
her desire to make sure that the
right girl, (someone with drive,
focus, determination and who can
impress the client) is crowned
The Face.
Thrust into the spotlight after
being scouted during a shopping
trip in Londons Covent Garden,
dance aficionado Campbell, who
studied ballet at Italia Conti
and appeared in the video for
Bob Marleys Is This Love
embarked upon her journey
to superstardom at the tender

age of 16, trading in innocent,

adolescent crushes and obligatory
boy-band obsessions for
travelling the world, glamorous
couture and the fast-paced,
hedonistic party life. Does she
ever feel that for worldwide
fame and success shes had to
sacrifice non-material things like
marriage or children perhaps?
Does she ever regret missing out
on lost moments like birthdays,
weddings, or christenings?
No, she says with little to no
hesitation. I think there is a
sacrifice you have to make. When
you make a commitment to
something you have to honour
it, even if you miss out on other
things. I think work has been a
saviour to me.
Luckily for the twelve goodlooking plucky hopefuls on The
Face looking to follow in her
hallowed footsteps, every moment
in her career has accumulated
to the 27 years of experience
that shes now choosing to share
with those keen to learn the
tricks of the trade straight from
the master and that includes
that legendary, sinuous slink. I
love what I do and after all these
years I still want to be constantly
tested and challenged and push
myself. To be able to have the
opportunity to do this show; to
share my experiences with young
aspiring models, Im happy
to be in this place right now.
Considering the positive response
to the show across the Atlantic
(casting has already started for
season two), I wonder how she
hopes her native Brits take to
it. I want them to feel and, to
see that the show is authentic,
and whether youre a model or
not I think as a woman you will
take something away from this
show, and apply it to your life.
Anything else? Yes. Dont mess
with Team Naomi. You have
been warned. P

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The Face starts

September 30th at
9pm on Sky Living HD

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