Naomi Campbell stepped out for a very special occasion on Monday wearing a brand that holds extra-special significance to the supermodel. After being appointed the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador in September of last year, Campbell was on-hand at the Commonwealth Day celebration at Westminster Abbey (also attended by Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton) in an Alaïa look that was appropriately chic, ladylike and high-fashion, all rolled into one.
The British supermodel arrived in a gray pencil skirt suit with flared midi-length hem, worn with an oversized jacket draped around her shoulders from the label’s Fall 2022 collection. She accessorized the look with a wreath-style diamond Piaget necklace, bright red leather gloves, plus a beret in the same pattern as her suit, black high heels also from the brand’s fall collection, and the “Le Papa” Alaïa handbag.
The reason the Alaïa ensemble stands out (aside from the chic Parisian glamour it’s giving) is because Campbell and the late designer Azzedine Alaïa had a bond unlike others in the fashion industry. In addition to walking his coveted runways and modeling for the brand’s campaigns, their relationship went beyond that of designer-muse. Campbell affectionally called Alaïa “Papa,” and looked to him as a father figure after he took her under his wing when she was 16 years old. After the designer died in 2017 from a heart attack, Campbell has continued to support the fashion house. Her gray Commonwealth Day suit skirt was designed by brand’s newly-appointed creative director Pieter Muller.
In addition to Commonwealth Day, she chose the brand for other special occasions, including an appearance at the National Portrait Gallery Gala in London in 2019.
To celebrate the service, which honors the union of the 54 nations that make up the Commonwealth, Campbell took to Instagram to share photos, captioning the post, “What an honour to join such an inspiring service as the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador in the presence of the Royal Family to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s patronage of the Commonwealth and to shine a light on the incredible work of @queens_commonwealth_trust young leaders. You both inspire me @alinaleekarima @mikeomoniyics”
She added, “Thank you so much @pieter_mulier @maisonalaia and @piaget for supporting me on this new Role & adventure.” followed by several heart emojis.
