Naomi Campbell Speaks Out About Two Supermodels Who Have Always Defended Her

Naomi Campbell spoke up about her experience of racism in the fashion industry as a young model - and cited two supermodels in particular who really stood up for her throughout her career.

In a new interview for  The Observer, Naomi talked about the racial marginalization she experienced in the early 1990s, when she became one of the top five supermodels in the world. She appeared in several campaigns and covers alongside Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz , who ushered in the new era of supermodels.

But the London-born top model used to be marginalized because of the color of her skin or, if she was hired, forced to work with makeup artists who didn't put on makeup for black skin.

"Now it's okay to talk about it. But when I was younger, it was a lot more difficult" She said. Evangelista and Turlington supported her, quickly becoming close friends and refusing to work for designers who didn't hire her.

"They really stood out, Linda and Christy, in terms of supporting me with designers who hadn't used coloured model yet," she explained. "We were friends outside of work."

That friendship remains today, as all three who formed 'The Trinity' now share a WhatsApp group. Naomi was instrumental in breaking down barriers for black women in fashion, but she said there is still a way to go until we see equality. "Now I want to see them pay for coloured models the right way," she said.