On Tuesday evening, Vogue Club hosted an exclusive after-hours viewing of the Naomi Campbell exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. As security ushered the public out of the main entrance, the museum came alive again beyond its Renaissance-style arches. Beneath the soaring ceilings of the central dome, final preparations were being made to welcome over two hundred Vogue Club members, alongside Vogue staff. Vogue Club, a private community connecting fashion enthusiasts with designers and industry professionals, was buzzing with anticipation. Despite the threat of flash showers brought on by the recent heatwave, the excitement was palpable as groups headed towards the V&A through South Kensington’s streets. The allure of free reign through the limited-run, blockbuster retrospective—without the throngs—was undeniable.
As doors opened and guests trickled in, one thing was clear: the dress code for the evening—fashionably chic, naturally—was impeccably adhered to. The outfits on display were a testament to the creativity of the members, who drew inspiration from Campbell’s storied runway career, gliding across marble floors in gowns and looks that paid homage to her decades of modeling success. The atmosphere was electric, with chatter from Club members old and new filling the air, drowning out any sound of the unpredictable London weather.
As the evening progressed, Julia Hobbs, Vogue’s European Features Director and Club’s Senior Fashion Projects Editor, took to the mic for opening remarks, quieting the crowd beneath the dome’s rotunda chandelier. “I want to welcome you all here tonight for a viewing of ‘Naomi Campbell,’ ” Hobbs said. “We have been working on this event for more than six months—planning everything down to a tee.” Hobbs, who interviewed Campbell for British Vogue’s March issue ahead of the exhibition’s summer opening, shared a captivating story about being caught off guard by a call from Campbell for the piece. “I got to Pret on a rainy Tuesday and my phone rings, and I say: ‘It’s Naomi, isn’t it?’ and she responds: ‘Yes it is—hello Julia.’ I was like: ‘You’ve rang me when I haven’t got any of my recording equipment!’” Hobbs then described scrambling back to Vogue’s HQ to properly document the interview.
Soon, members ventured into the exhibition to explore the supermodel’s most treasured and timeless pieces. Starting with Campbell’s childhood documents and dreams, the exhibition journeys through her unexpected scouting in London’s Covent Garden and her activism for greater diversity in the fashion industry, taking us right up to her modern-day support of emerging designers. For some, a standout moment was the Dolce and Gabbana dress Naomi wore while serving her court-ordered community service. For others, it was her time covering the 2007 “Black issue” of Vogue Italia, where she advocated for greater diversity on the catwalk.
Finally, the installation allowed Club members to envision themselves walking the runway, serving as a final tribute and an opportunity to embody the life and looks of one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels. See some of the best pictures from the night below.
