Internationally famous model Naomi Campbell's debut collection for fashion brand Boss includes items with an antibacterial coating, a nod to her bacteriophobia, the Guardian reported.
The supermodel has teamed up with the German business for a 40-piece collection, starting at £60 and going up to £745, which covers everything from suits to tank tops, inspired by Campbell's "busy lifestyle".
"These are items that reflect my own lifestyle. I'm always on the go, always ready for the next adventure, but I never compromise on style," she explained.
After wearing sheer Alaïa suits and posing in Valentino Couture feathers on the Met Gala steps while an assistant fanned her, it's little surprise that Campbell's debut collection for Boss is aimed at travelers looking for the practical.
In 2019, a video of the British supermodel armed with latex gloves and antibacterial wipes while cleaning her business class seat on a flight to Dubai went viral on social media. Later, during the pandemic, she was photographed walking around the airport in a white protective suit with a hood and a face mask.
Although Campbell is more used to private jets than commercial airlines, it seems she's still familiar with the dreaded bane of travel: wrinkled clothes. As a result, during the design process, she stipulated that the double-breasted jackets and coordinating trousers be made of wool with a stretchy texture and an anti-crease finish.
There are also figure-hugging black leggings with matching long-sleeve tops, inspired by Campbell's own travel uniform, which she says helps improve circulation. Jacket and vest pockets are lined with a special material that can block electromagnetic frequencies and prevent contactless card fraud.
The lounge two-piece set consists of a hooded sweatshirt and loose sweatpants covered in a leopard print motif in purple or ivory, which Campbell says has "proven anti-stress properties, promoting a sense of zen and balance". And just in case you forget who the real "boss" is, the t-shirts and hoodies feature Campbell's signature face print.
Appointed in 2022 as an ambassador for Boss, a separate brand of Hugo Boss, Campbell has previously fronted several campaigns for the brand. The collection marks a move into a new role as co-author, which Campbell says allows her to "explore a whole new aspect of my art."
The 53-year-old Campbell is not the first to take on the role of a fashion designer. Last year, Campbell was widely criticized for her collaboration with fast fashion brand PrettyLittleThing (PLT), a subsidiary of British company Boohoo Group, for an 82-piece collection.
Campbell's collection for Boss, whose parent company celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, follows previous sell-out partnerships with the NFL and Khaby Lame, a 23-year-old Italian influencer of Senegalese descent who holds the title of the world's most followed TikTok . It's all part of a wider brand revamp, with Boss ditching its formal suits to appeal to younger consumers.
This year is shaping up to be a big one for Campbell. The Naomi exhibition, dedicated to the Croydon-born model, will open at the V&A in June. This is the first time that a model will be the focus of an exhibition at the museum. /BGNES