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When it comes to off-duty fashion, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing supermodel Naomi Campbell a certain way. The always glamorous Campbell is readily associated with luxury labels like Versace, Alaïa, and Burberry, but the innovative star doesn’t only wear the usual suspects. Campbell has been promoting international brands, particularly those from the African continent, using her visibility at public appearances to shine a light on the next generation of design talent. Nowhere was that more evident than at this weekend’s Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, where she took to the stage in an array of specially chosen looks from South African designer Marianne Fassler and Lebanese label Hussein Bazaza.
To address the festival’s crowd on Sunday and deliver a speech on the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela, Campbell wore a color-blocked Hussein Bazaza creation that highlighted her lithe physique. With green satin at the neckline and a dramatic mix of black, red, and blue, the look echoed the colors of the South African flag without verging into pastiche.
Likewise, the sumptuous archival Marianne Fassler gown she chose for the inaugural Forever Young Ball on Monday offered an inventive twist. With multiple panels of contrasting patterns, it combined kente cloth, lace overlay, ankara wax prints, and more into a stunning melange of print and color. Paired with jewelry in the style of Ndebele neck rings, the ensemble made for a regal statement as Campbell picked up an award for her humanitarian work.
With several outfit changes throughout her time in Johannesburg, Campbell also included a few western labels—an embellished Dundas minidress and lacy, ruffled Alexander McQueen—but within each look, she incorporated a bit of local flavor. Case in point: the addition of a patterned gele headdress crafted from fabric sourced from a South African artisan. The piece added interest to the McQueen look and paid tribute to the wealth of regional handcraft available. A compelling mix of the traditional and the avant-garde, old-school luxury and brand-new talent, Campbell’s wardrobe offered a modern take on luxury we ought to see more of.
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This article first appeared on Vogue.com
