Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour shared a tense moment at the Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion Show and Style Awards on Tuesday night.
The friction arose when Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, took the stage and made a pointed comment about Naomi’s “reputation for tardiness.” “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honor of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” Wintour remarked.
Sources close to Campbell told TMZ that the supermodel arrived at the time set by the event’s producers. However, Wintour, who was reportedly eager to attend the US Open, moved her presentation slot earlier and left the event soon after.
Naomi, visibly disappointed by Wintour’s early departure, expressed her feelings when accepting her Fashion Icon Award from Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief, Samira Nasr.
Acknowledging her tendency to be late, Campbell added, “It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady [Wintour]. I’d much rather have this,” referring to Nasr, which elicited gasps from the audience.
Later, Wintour was spotted at the US Open, while Campbell’s remarks further heightened the drama at one of fashion’s most significant events.