βEven though Iβm not there in person, Iβm with you all in spirit, carried by the legacy of my beloved friend, the late [fashion designer] Andre Leon Talley.
βHis command, presence, vision and belief that fashion is art helped shape what the Met Gala is presenting tonight.
βI canβt wait to see how everyone mixes African and European style traditions on those famous steps tonight! The creativity will be amazing.β
In September, Wintour noted that Campbell had arrived late while speaking at the Fashion Row Fashion Show and Style Awards in Harlem, New York.
βI am a very punctual person and I have the [honour] of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,β Wintour said, and was reported to have left before the 54-year-old model arrived to receive her Fashion Icon Award.
Samira Nasr, the Harperβs Bazaar editor-in-chief, was left to present the prize to her instead.
Campbell appeared to hit back in her own speech after receiving the award, saying: βIt wasnβt my choice to have the other lady [Wintour]. Iβd much rather have this one.β
According to Page Six, her comment prompted gasps from the audience, prompting Campbell to reply that she was βunapologetically truthfulβ.
Nevertheless, Campbell thanked Wintour for supporting her career.
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βWe must still say thank you to Anna Wintour as she did take the time to come here and give me the award, even though I wasnβt here,β she said.
βSo, thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career from 1987, meeting a young black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot.
βAnd so I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.β
Campbell has attended 17 Met Galas, making her first appearance in 1990.
Telegraph, London
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