Naomi Campbell Breaks Down As She Wins Fashion Icon Prize
The model was bought to tears as she accepted the award
Photo: Getty
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell gave an emotional speech at the Fashion Awards last night, as she accepted the accolade for Fashion Icon.
The supermodel broke down in tears on stage at the Royal Albert Hall as she thanked her mother for “raising me single-handedly, you were my mother and my father”.
Campbell, who wore a shimmering Alexander McQueen gown, told the crowd: “I learned today that I’m the first woman of colour to receive this award.”
Photo: Getty
Naomi Campbell
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She took the opportunity to pay homage to her own icons, saying: “That leaves me to say who I consider my style icons: Grace Jones, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, Donyale Luna, Bethann Hardison, Naomi Sims, Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Diahann Carroll, Janet Jackson, and Tina Turner.”
“I could go on and on, but I want to thank you for paving the way for me, inspiring a generation.”
Photo: Getty
Naomi Campbell
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The 49-year-old fashion icon was first discovered aged 15, near London's Covent Garden. The supermodel was honoured last night for her contribution to the fashion industry and her impressive career, as well as her philanthropic work.
Campbell presented the Trailblazer Award to Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen in another impressive gown by the designer.
Burton was awarded the prestigious prize due to her narrative approach to McQueen's spring/summer 2020 show and her championship of UK craftsmanship.
Campbell and Burton hugged on-stage. Photo: Getty
Campbell and Burton
Caroline Rush: BFC executive, said: "Sarah’s empowering and narrative approach to shows and her focus on community and appreciation of craft, technology and English heritage is what has made her one of the most respected designers of our time."
The Trailblazer Award was introduced at the Fashion Awards in 2018 and is one of the Special Recognition Awards, celebrating the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, whose work in the past year has been game-changing.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK.
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