Top Guests Include Daniel Lee, Phoebe Philo, Sarah Burton, Harris Reed, and More.
LONDON — Naomi Campbell never fails to draw a crowd. This year’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) summer party was no exception, as friends and fans gathered to preview the museum’s latest exhibition, “Naomi: In Fashion,” dedicated to the British supermodel.
“It feels overwhelming, but I wanted everyone to see a side of me they might not know,” Campbell said.
Campbell dazzled in a custom dress by Boss, which sponsored both her exhibition and the event. The dress, designed with input from Law Roach, was complemented by two diamond Bulgari snake necklaces.
The guest list boasted fashion luminaries such as Daniel Lee, Phoebe Philo, Grace Jones, Harris Reed, Charlotte Tilbury, Grace Carter, Sarah Burton, Daphne Guinness, Elizabeth Hurley, and Kate Moss.
“Naomi is the ultimate British supermodel,” said Daniel Lee, Burberry’s chief creative officer. “She has a long history with Burberry, spanning the eras of Christopher Bailey, myself, and Riccardo Tisci. She’s part of our story.”
Burberry recently launched a soccer-themed series featuring players Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze, timed with the ongoing 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. Lee, while rooting for England, is primarily focused on his upcoming September show.
The exhibition showcased a range of Campbell’s iconic looks, including a Kenneth Ize striped dress from the fall 2020 runway, a Yves Saint Laurent feathered cocktail dress from 1987, an embellished Alexander McQueen gown worn at the 2019 Fashion Awards, and the infamous chainmail Dolce & Gabbana dress from her 2007 community service.
“There’s a stark contrast between the ground and top floors,” explained Heloise Perignon, the architect behind the exhibition. “It starts dark and intimate, then opens up into light.”
Artist Issi Nanabeyin, who collaborated with Perignon, added, “We used 3D design renderings to showcase Naomi’s personality.”
Fresh from his wedding, designer Harris Reed attended in a monochrome silk shirt, ivory corset, and dramatic black trousers—an ensemble from his recent wedding and a preview of his upcoming collection.
“My summer plans involve working on two collections—my own and Nina Ricci—and hopefully escaping to Greece,” Reed said. “We had a mini-honeymoon but plan a trip to Japan to explore vintage markets.”
Reed described married life as a dream come true. “In this business, your partner is your number one, followed by your team. I’m getting my ducks in a row,” he added.
Guests were gearing up for a busy summer. English singer Grace Carter, set to perform at Glastonbury, shared her plans. “I’m writing more upbeat music, though people know me for emotional songs. I’ll be wearing Burberry at Glastonbury,” she said.
The evening ended on a high note with a live performance by Culture Club and a DJ set by Honey Dijon.
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