The theme of this year’s event was “Race To Equality,” which aims to support the #TimesUp initiative which started at the beginning of this year by Hollywood celebrities in response to the Weinstein sexual harassment allegations and #MeToo movement.
In a statement, Campbell said about the event, “Equality means to me to be treated fairly in equal ways, impartiality, wherever you are in the world.”
Fashion For Relief has been an ongoing charity event since 2005 and has raised millions of dollars for a number of causes including Hurricane Katrina and the Ebola crisis. Aside from Cannes, the show has also been hosted in London, New York City, Moscow and Mumbai, with a number of celebrities appearing on the runway including Justin Bieber, Jane Fonda, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell herself.
This year, the show was no different. Droves of stars sat in the front row, including The Weeknd, who was reportedly in attendance to show love for his ex-bae Bella Hadid. Hadid stormed the runway in a silky pink, ruched dress. Meanwhile, Campbell stole the show in a corseted gown by Dolce & Gabbana, with paint splatters splayed across the full skirt.
Campbell alluded to retirement during the show.
“I don’t know if I can walk much longer,” she said to the Evening Standard, “it’s been 32 years.” The show should be “carried on by the younger generation” and that she is ready to “sit in the audience and watch.”
It’s hard to imagine the fashion world without greats like Campbell, but by the same token, we are waiting to see what the next generation brings to the runway.