Naomi Campbell is known for her powerful catwalk on the runway, but, as it turns out when it comes to clapping back at critics she has her finesse.
The legendary supermodel, made history in 1989 when she became the first Black model to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
Due to this, she was celebrated at Harlem’s Fashion Show and Style ceremony for her iconic supermodel career spanning several decades, as reported by various outlets.
While accepting the Fashion Icon Award at Harlem’s annual Fashion Show and Style event on September 3, the legend stood up to Anna Wintour after the 74-year-old Vogue editor remarked about her history of tardiness.
Although she was scheduled to receive the award from Anna Wintour, her reported lateness led to Wintour leaving the ceremony early which saw Samira Nasr, the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, to step in and present the award.
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Despite, the viral shade speech, Wintour honored Naomi Campbell and recognized her contribution to the modeling industry.
Wintour said, “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.” Naomi is honestly one of the most fearless people I know, a quality that 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”.
In response, Naomi clapped back, saying:
“Yes, Naomi’s always late. But I believe in my high power, and I want to thank my higher power for having me be here.”
The mother of two made the audience gasp when she stated that she preferred to have Nasr present her with the icon award instead of “the other lady,” shadily referencing Wintour, according to a viral video online.
In her speech, Naomi Campbell swiftly credited Wintour and expressed her gratitude to her for the role in breaking barriers in the modeling industry.
“We must still say thank you to Anna Wintour, as she did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasn’t here. So 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 and so I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.”
