The decades-long relationship between supermodel Naomi Campbell and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour got even more interesting when a little drama broke out at the Fashion Show & Style Awards hosted by Harlem’s Fashion Row in New York. The event was an unofficial kick-off to New York Fashion Week which begins on Friday. While introducing the iconic model, Anna took a subtle dig at Naomi’s habit of arriving late as she was reportedly behind schedule for the event.
During Naomi’s introduction upon being honored with the Fashion Icon Award, the editor-in-chief said, “I am extremely punctual, and I have the honor tonight to present someone who is often late,” also reportedly calling her “bold, radiant and totally, undeniably herself.” Following this introduction, Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr also introduced the supermodel, after which Naomi began her speech by saying, “Yes, Naomi is always late but I believe in my higher power, and I want to thank my higher power for getting me here.”
But Naomi’s speech took an unexpected turn, shocking the audience when she referred to her old colleague Anna as “the other woman.” “It’s very important that I’m here today, and I’m honored to be here in Harlem. Everything will be as it should be. It wasn’t my choice to have the other woman. I would much prefer that,” she said, referring to Samira reintroducing them.
Fans had a lot to say. One said, “There’s shade in all of this…”. Another was a little more creative, “The devil may wear Prada but Naomi wears whatever she wants, whenever she wants.” A user also commented on Anna’s attitude, “Oh that’s crazy they’re the same age and Naomi still looks 25,” while another said, “Naomi is a Gemini, we match anyone’s energy. We don’t care!!” An online fan also said, “A polite text. Very thoughtful. Very shade-like.”
Despite the unexpected turn in her speech, Naomi expressed her gratitude for Anna’s continued support, acknowledging the editor’s important role in her career. “We should still say thank you to Anna Wintour, because she took the time to come here and give me this award, even though I wasn’t here. So, thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support of my career since 1987, for meeting me as a young black girl from South London in the British Vogue offices and giving me the chance to do a shoot. And so I also thank you for your influence and your continued support in pushing fashion forward,” she said.
