28
The supermodel reflects on the dinners and designers that buoyed her late 20s.
The year was 1998, and Naomi Campbell was organizinga fashion show.
In South Africa, theyd present his final ready-to-wear collection to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund.
It was a celebratory event spurred by sorrow, a dissonance that Campbell carried with her into age 28.
I felt like I couldnt keep up with the grief, she latertold Oprah Winfreyof that period.
(See: theMarch 2022 BritishVoguecover, in which she holds her infant daughter.)
This fall, Campbell returns to a brand shes worked with since her early 20s: H&M.
Hes very clear in what he wants, and I love people who work that way.
And he keeps it fun.
Below, she reflects on the brands and communities that buoyed her spirits in 1998.
Take me back to age 28.
What was that period like for you?
Twenty-eight was hectic, fun, running around the world working.
The year before we lost Versace, Diana, Michael Hutchence.
So 1998 was a great year, but it was sad with loss.
Do you think that loss affected fashion and how people expressed themselves?
When I think back to the shows we were doing then, I remember lots of color and characters.
And what was Nelson Mandela like when you first met him?
He was like sunlight.
He had an amazing energy, very embracing, humble, and wise.
Id never met anyone like that before.
And he called you hishonorary granddaughter.
Why do you think you connected with him so well?
I really dont know.
Its a question I used to ask myself.
Who else were you spending time with in 1998?
I was with Christy [Turlington] a lot.
I was traveling a lot.
People always told me, Poor thing, youre traveling a lot.
But I loved to travel.
I still love to travel.
Ive used yourpre-flight cleaning routinefor all of my trips recently.
Was that something you developed in the 90s or more recently?
I started wearing masks when I went to Japan.
Id been to Japan before 98 and was so inspired seeing how people wore masks in the street.
What else was inspiring you in the late 90s?
Music, oh, my God.
Rock, pop, reggae, classical, hip-hop, R&B.
I just loved music.
Id go to concerts all the time.
The music was incredible, coming from all corners of the world.
I got to see such an array of talent.
Its something Ill remember for the rest of my life.
Who did you get your music recommendations from?
Just from my ear.
I liked what I liked.
In my household, obviously with the Jamaican background, we grew up with Bob Marley.
But [Id also listen to] Michael Jackson.
In terms of your style, what were your favorite textures or designers to wear?
I was also abig vintage collector.
[Jean Paul] Gaultier.
I loved dressing up.
And its wild youve been working with H&M since the early 90s, for 30 years.
I used to wear H&M and did one of the first H&M commercials.
Are there any trends you regret in hindsight?
Todayits OK, but I remember wearing a dress with sneakers once and I got ridiculed for it.
There was no uniform.
Obviously everyone knew I wasAzzedines daughter, but Id make stuff up all the time.
What did a typical Friday night look like for you?
It depended on what country [I was in].
I liked to have dinner with friends or go out to the movies or concerts.
What were some of your favorite restaurants, both places that are still open and that arent anymore?
Oh, my God, there was 150 Wooster.Indochineis still going.Balthazar.
Odeon is still there.
Mr. Chow is still there.
How late would you normally stay out?
Depends if I had to work the next day or not, to be honest.
But in your 20s, youre supposed to go out and enjoy yourself.
There wasnt a time limit.
Howd you think about money at that time?
I didnt think about money.
What about love and relationships?
I didnt really think about love and relationships.
I was on a plane four times a week, you know?
What advice would you give to your 28-year-old self?
No one teaches you that.
How did you set boundaries so you could find some balance?
I learned that at 29.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
