Naomi Campbell Runway Walk at 43: Versace Seeks "Sophisticated" Look (VIDEO)
In search for a "sophisticated" model with a "strong attitude," Versace asked 43-year-old Naomi Campbell to open a Paris fashion show this weekend.
It has been more than 15 years since Campbell has worked a show for Versace and in an industry where 25 is considered "middle-aged" – being asked to open a show could be an honor. For Campbell, it was like returning home.
"I'm so happy to be here in Paris tonight to walk for Donatella. We've known each other over 25 years now. Straight away I felt like part of the family, everybody was so warm and supportive," she said according to Contact Music.
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Donatella Versace, vice president of the Versace Group, described her reasons for choosing Campbell, despite her age.
"I started this Atelier Versace collection by dreaming about the perfect aesthetic of the black-and-white era," she said. "I wanted to make it new, and pictured a sexy and sophisticated woman with a strong attitude. Only a true icon like Naomi Campbell could open this show."
Based on loud applause from the audience, Campbell was a huge success. Wearing a sheer bejeweled Basque, she appeared on the runway looking fit. She also paid tribute to Donatella's brother, Gianni.
"Apart from being one of the most inspirational and respected of designers of all time, he was like a brother to me...always there in good and bad times the memory will never fade," she said according to Contact. "So as you can tell this is an emotional evening for me. It really is a great privilege to be here."
Campbell was first discovered at the age of 15. She was considered one of the top three, most in demand models throughout the 1980's and 1990's and one of six women who were deemed "supermodels" at the time.
Check out the video of Campbell's runway walk below.
