Naomi Campbell, who is among the elite group of women given the “supermodel” title in the ’90s, took to the runway again in Paris on Sunday to cheers from the audience.
The Versace show was held in Paris during their fashion week, and Campbell’s return to the catwalk marked two occasions: the first time she’d modeled for Versace in 15 years, and the first time she’d been back to the City of Light since she was mugged and injured there just before Christmas. Donatella Versace said that her new collection was full of strong pieces that only Campbell could pull off, and she knew she had to have her for the show.
“I started this Atelier Versace collection by dreaming about the perfect aesthetic of the black-and-white era. I wanted to make it new, and pictured a sexy and sophisticated woman with a strong attitude. Only a true icon like Naomi Campbell could open this show,” she said.
As for Campbell, she says she’s been friends with the Versace family for so long that it didn’t require a second thought when she was asked to walk.
“We’ve known each other over 25 years now. Straight away I felt like part of the family, everybody was so warm and supportive. And of course there was Gianni. Apart from being one of the most inspirational and respected of designers of all time, he was like a brother to me…always there in good and bad times the memory will never fade. So as you can tell this is an emotional evening for me. It really is a great privilege to be here,” she told contactmusic.com.
The new Versace collection is being called a study in luxury, with a color palette in black, red, emerald green and deep sapphire and sparkling with Swarovski crystals. It was unveiled for the fall/winter of 2013.