Naomi Campbell’s Iconic Runway Tumble in 9-inch Heels Is Back With an Inspiring Message
Following the death of celebrated British fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood on Thursday, Naomi Campbell shared a heartfelt message accompanied by a slideshow of images of the designer by her side on Instagram. Campbell applauded the 81 year old punk rock Dame’s life and the impact she had on the “male dominated” fashion industry, as well as her own career and upbringing.
Within the post’s caption, Campbell fondly recalled her childhood, baring witness to the ever flourishing “revolutionary” punk scene in England, largely because of Westwood’s influence in the matter. “I didn’t know then that I would meet Vivienne Westwood in 86 and not only get to work with her but be able to call her a friend,” Campbell wrote.
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Campbell spoke to Westwood’s strength and outspoken nature, commending her raw honesty, “whether we liked to hear it or not,” along with her large body of work full of “storytelling designs” featuring provocative, and often groundbreaking silhouettes. The fellow fashion trailblazer wished Westwood’s family well, further writing, “YOUR LEGACY IS JUST BEGINNING, and it will be etched in stone for forever, as your contribution to our industry is immeasurable.”
The supermodel’s connection with Westwood and her work runs deep. The pair first met when a 16-year-old Campbell and her friend and fellow supermodel Kate Moss hassled Westwood to let them look in the house archives. Westwood obliged them and took the curious pair to tea at the Criterion soon after.
Campbell also infamously walked Westwood’s 1993 show where a then 23-year-old Campbell strutted in a sweater, plaid skirt, white tights, and a pink voluminous feather boa. As Campbell bounded down the runway accompanied by the cameras flash, she began to wobble and lose her balance due to a pair of towering heels, eventually falling to the ground with an exasperated laugh.
The blue leather Gillie style with an imitation crocodile-embossed pattern is set atop a whopping 9-inch Louis heel with a 4-inch front platform to balance out the steep height. With its lace-up silhouette and rounded toe, these elevated pumps kept with Westwood’s bold mix of traditional silhouettes and standout designs.
The fellow philanthropist has reminisced on the tumble numerous times on “The David Letterman Show,” and in an interview for British Vogue alongside Westwood. “I felt like I should have practiced more..there’s a trick to walking in your shoes,” Campbell said before the designer chimed in, explaining that the reason she fell was because her tights, which were made out of rubber, caught together against her thighs, causing the spill.
Making lemonade out of lemons, the fall aided in Campbell’s already budding career, leading to the making of an insurance and chocolate commercial which she spoke of enthusiastically with Letterman. What’s more, Campbell revealed that certain designers asked if she would take tumbles for their runway shows.
Although she’d once saw the moment as embarrassing, Campbell used the fall to bring inspiration to those struggling in the current environment with a quote from Nelson Mandela that reads: “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” The iconic mishap became a learning lesson of trial and error, of picking up and carrying on.
Sheridan Morley/Shutterstock
Courtesy of the Museum of Applied Arts & Science
Campbell’s reposting of the tumble earned her comments of support from Bella Hadid, Halle Berry, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Giambattista Valli and her fellow former supermodel Christy Turlington, who said: “This moment and what you did with it @naomi True Grit & Grace!”
Click through the gallery to see more stars who tried their hand at towering platform shoes.
Launch Gallery: Gabrielle Union, Britney Spears + More Celebs Wearing the Platform Shoe Trend
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