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Valentino Spring 2019 Couture Collection
Naomi Campbell’s presence is always felt during Fashion Week in New York, Europe, and beyond. And while she appears to be virtually everywhere, the supermodel does keep her schedule selective: She only walks, or sits front row, for top designers or buzzy labels of the moment. Now, for couture week, she’s back at it again—only this time, in a much more surprising way.
Fresh from enjoying the Fall 2019 menswear shows as a guest, Campbell made an unexpected appearance on the catwalk at Valentino’s Spring 2019 couture presentation in Paris. Wearing the final look, a sumptuous transparent black gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli, Campbell gave the crowd a thrill by returning to the Italian label’s runway for the first time in 14 years, her last show being its Spring 2005 couture collection.
Back in the early aughts, Campbell repeatedly closed Valentino. For the slinky, red carpet–themed Fall 2003 collection, she walked the finale in a black sequined gown (with Valentino Garavani by her side, no less). For Spring 2005, she wore layers of tiered lace. Though much in fashion has changed since then, she and the designer have always remained close. Back in 2015, when Campbell was on the cusp of celebrating 30 years in fashion, Garavani had plenty to say about her enduring allure, telling Vogue’s Maya Singer that she is one of a kind. “Her walk is unique, those hips swinging in her own way. One cannot be more sexy,” he said. “She imposes her own status of a queen.”
It’s fitting then that the brand’s current creative director would seek her out to bring his vision to life. With the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild serving as the backdrop and Roberta Flack playing in the background, Campbell capped off one seriously memorable show. With fellow superstars Natalia Vodianova, Mariacarla Boscono, and Alek Wek all joining Campbell on the runway, it was easily couture season’s most interesting casting thus far.
