Naomi Campbell appeared to throw shade at Vogue editor Anna Wintour while accepting an award in New York City.
Fashion enthusiasts were enthralled with the small drama that unfolded last September 3 at the Fashion Show & Style Awards, hosted by the Harlem’s Fashion Row agency in New York, as the supermodel and the top editor of Vogue have known each other for decades.
Wintour introduced the runway legend, who supposedly arrived late to the event, and made a point of gently making fun of Campbell for her habitual tardiness.
“I am very punctual, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” the publishing mogul stated.
Wintour allegedly called the model “one of the most fearless people I know,” adding that her courage “was evident at the very, very start of her career when she began to speak the truth about inequality and injustice. And this was at a time when it was not so common to do so.”
However, as she went on to continue, her praises became a little shady.
“I can tell you that being on the receiving end of that fearlessness can be — oh, what can I say? Quite exciting?” the editor added. “But it’s her honesty that makes her so incredible to be around, a muse and inspiration for designers.”
Before the model herself took the stage, Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Samira Nasr continued presenting Campbell while Wintour bowed out to head to another event.
Campbell acknowledged her tendency to arrive late, saying, “Yes, Naomi’s always late. But I believe in my higher power, and I want to thank my higher power for having me be here.”
The model made space for a brief jab at Wintour as she continued.
“It’s so important that I’m here today, and I’m honored to be here in Harlem. … Everything’s going to work out the way it’s going to work out. It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady. I’d much rather have this,” she said, gesturing at Nasr.
Campbell also reportedly recognized the positive impact that Wintour has had on her life and said, “Thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career from 1987, meeting a young Black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot.”
Despite the seeming sour encounter, Wintour and Campbell have both expressed positive things about one another in the past.
The media mogul told the model in a 2020 chat, “You’ve been a huge part of my history with Vogue.”
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