‘Powerful, timeless, and effortless.’ These are the words Naomi Campbell uses to describe her new BOSS capsule collection, but they are just as attributable to the supermodel herself. Appearing on her first ELLE cover a month before her 16th birthday in 1986, Campbell is the original super, as inimitable as she is iconic. Nearly four decades on from that career-propelling shoot, she remains as influential as ever, welcoming her debut collection with prestigious fashion house, BOSS, this month.
Designing the ultimate travel wardrobe
A typical week in the life of Naomi Campbell might include walking a runway show in London one day, shooting in Africa the next, before delivering a UN speech in New York. With such a busy schedule, Campbell wanted to design a collection that could keep up with her fast-paced lifestyle.
‘During all my years in fashion, the one thing that’s always been constant is travel,’ she says. The new collection, then, speaks to ‘the spirit of today’s modern and dynamic woman – who is strong, independent and always on the go.’
For Campbell and BOSS – a brand known for championing innovative design – this meant not only keeping style and versatility front of mind, but making sure every piece was functional. ‘It’s about creating fashion that complements a dynamic lifestyle,’ Campbell explains. ‘We wanted to offer practicality without compromising on style, ensuring that every piece in the collection serves a purpose beyond just aesthetics.’
This translates into modern silhouettes with the brand’s signature tailoring and precision craftsmanship, form and function, rendered in luxuriously comfortable cashmere, cupro and jersey. Campbell and Boss looked to fabrics that encouraged freedom of movement, evergreen wearability and smart functionality when designing the collection.
A double-breasted pinstriped suit in stretch-infused wool, for example, offers a wrinkle-free finish. This, in fact, is a clever feature that runs through all the suits in the collection. In outerwear, a high-shine trench is coated with a practical water-repellent finish.
Being plane-ready is crucial for Campbell, which is why compression wear can also be found throughout. ‘A must for me on every flight is switching into head-to-toe compression gear,’ she says. ‘The benefits to the body are undeniable, and we consulted the world’s best technical factories to develop custom yarns that work magic in the air and also look sleek and sexy post-flight as the perfect base layer.’ Those familiar with Campbell’s in-flight disinfecting routine will be unsurprised to hear that the compression pieces are also crafted in antibacterial fabrics – a must-have for the self-described germaphobe.
A meeting of minds
After fronting the fashion house’s AW23 global campaign, a transition into the BOSS design room was a natural evolution for Campbell. ‘It just felt like the perfect fit,’ she explains. ‘BOSS’s timeless style and the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries aligned beautifully with my own vision and style.’ After a lifetime immersed in the fashion world, Campbell revelled in her new role of designer. ‘Moving beyond being a campaign face to co-creating a collection allowed me to explore a whole new facet of my art,’ she says. ‘[It] was very hands-on and collaborative. We started with brainstorming sessions where I shared my vision, ideas and personal style inspirations. I was deeply involved in every step of the design process – from selecting fabrics and refining silhouettes to choosing the finer details.’
Campbell worked hand-in-hand with Marco Falcioni, SVP of Creative Direction at HUGO BOSS, on the new collection. ‘We had a lot of fun collaborating, working outside our comfort zones, and leaning on one another for insight with specific design challenges,’ he shares. ‘[Naomi] was very much involved and passionately invested in this project from the get-go. Of course, it was her idea to create a travel-themed collection, drawing on her own experiences, personal tastes, and preferences. She knows what she wants and shared meaningful creative input throughout the development process, mixing the BOSS fashion codes with her own iconic style.’
It’s true that the Naomi x BOSS collection feels imbued with Campbell’s distinctive style aesthetic, from the sharp tailoring to the luxurious fabrics and glamorous punctuations of her favourite colour, purple. So personal is it to her that asking her to pick her favourite piece is akin to choosing a favourite child – although the compression suit is a top contender, she admits. ‘It hugs every curve, elongates the silhouette and helps exude confidence.’
Campbell also loves the classic white button-down shirt – an ‘absolute wardrobe essential’ – and the gauzy black jumpsuit, adding that ‘the sheer fabric adds a touch of allure’. The beauty of the clothing lies in its ability to perform as stand-alone statement pieces, while also working harmoniously when styled together in a variety of looks. ‘Each has its own unique charm and, together, they form a cohesive narrative of modern power dressing,’ says Campbell. We’re inclined to agree – after all, who knows power dressing better than the original super?
Shop the Naomi x BOSS collection in select stores and at boss.com now
