New mother Naomi Campbell was photographed for the first time with her 9-month-old daughter for the cover of British Vogue.
The supermodel remained tight-lipped about becoming a mother until after her daughterâs birthâbecoming a mother at 50.
âShe wasnât adopted â sheâs my child,â she told the publication: âI can count on one hand the number of people who knew that I was having her,â she admits. âBut she is the biggest blessing I could ever imagine. Itâs the best thing Iâve ever done.â
The model was one of the most prominent Black mainstream supermodels in the 90s. While these days, the fashion world is a much more diverse environment with lots more opportunities for women of color, the playing field was far more brutal at the height of the supermomâs career.
âEveryoneâs journey is written. This is my journey, this is how itâs written,â she tells British Vogue. âBut yes, there were lots of times when I would walk in the fashion shows, but I was never picked for the ad campaigns and it would hurt â it really hurt. I would have to suck it up and keep moving. Of course, it would have been great to have had that support around me back then, but Iâm proud to see it happen now, Iâm proud to see the diversity now. But I say this with all sincerity: weâre not here for a trend. There are so many companies who are in this only because they donât want to get called out. No. Donât do it from that place, do it because you understand that itâs the right thing to do. There is still a long way to go.â
And the work doesnât stop.
Campbell is currently a global ambassador for the Queenâs Commonwealth Trust (QCT). The trust, founded in 2018, supports young people driving for change in their communities across sectors.