Fashion

What's new at H&M? Naomi Campbell's style advice for the new season

Tailoring takes front row at the store this season with blazers, pencil skirts and shiny silver cocktail dresses

Naomi Campbell’s style advice: “Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.” Photograph: Deidre Schoo/The New York Times

Deirdre McQuillan's face
Deirdre McQuillan
Thu Sep 14 2017 - 09:00

Recruited by a model scout in London at the age of 15, Naomi Campbell went on to become one of the most recognisable faces of the fashion scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Here the supermodel talks about H&M’s new autumn collection and offers some style advice for the season.

What was the most memorable or fun moment from H&M's Fall 2017 shoot?
It was fun to lip sync to Wham! because that was the music I listened to when I was growing up.

What was your favourite piece from the collection?
I was in a dark double-breasted trouser suit the whole time so I only had one outfit, but it was still my favourite look from the whole collection.

Polka dot blouse €14.99

How would you personally style that suit?
I would wear exactly as it was styled – the tailored blazer was buttoned up, but you could see a little skin so it was a good balance of feminine and masculine. I was happy in the look because it was comfortable.

Silver tunic dress €19.99 from

H&M's Fall collection is all about glamour and dressing up, how would you define glamour? I always wear what I'll be comfortable in. It doesn't have to be from this season, it doesn't have to be from this era, it can be vintage, and I like dressing up. I mix and match, I've always mixed and matched my clothes and I choose what I wear. I believe that you should wear the clothes and not have the clothes wear you. It's this combination that makes something glamorous. And then I think when you accessorise, do your hair and makeup, it all comes together.

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Pencil skirt €27.99

Do you have any style advice to create the best look for this season? It's about how you feel on the inside. I always dress for myself based on how I feel.

Furry-sleeved top €39.99

How has the fashion industry changed from when you first started out? There are many more models and many more ethnicities, but I think it's more corporate now and more about business. It's also more about social media, but I think the models have a voice, which is good.

Black blazer €44.99

What is it about travelling around the world that you love the most? I love travelling. I love being in different places and learning about different cultures. I'm interested in how people are, how they live. I've been travelling since I was six months old, but it never gets tiring.

Do you have any favourite places you like to return to? Tokyo is definitely one of my favourite places, so I was really happy to go there again \[for the H&M fall campaign shoot]. But I love places with history, places that you learn from, places that allow you to get in touch with your spiritual side, where you leave with a good energy.

Black leather jacket €89.99 from

What are your favourite things to do on a day off? I spend time with my friends and family. When I do take time off, I like to be with my loved ones and that's it, really. I don't like to plan too much.

If you didn't get into modelling, what would be doing instead? I studied dance and theatre arts since I was three years old and it's something I still love doing.