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Top 10 Gift Ideas for Naomi Campbell Fans

10 Presents That Will Thrill Naomi Lovers

A. Gordon
She's tall, dark and lovely. Unfortunately, she's also mercurial, with a temper that runs hotter than your grandmother's cranky old stove. Her name is Naomi Campbell, and for over 20 years, she's strutted and posed in the camera's glare as one of our era's most photographed supermodels.

Born in 1970 in London, to a Jamaican single mother, Naomi got her start at the tender age of 15 when she was discovered by a model scout while window-shopping in Covent Garden. Within months, the lanky teen had nabbed her first magazine cover, appearing on the cover of Elle after another black model suffered a last-minute cancellation. By 1988, she'd landed on the cover of French Vogue, distinguishing herself as that magazine's first black cover girl.

By the early '90s, Naomi had risen to supermodel status, prowling the catwalk for the likes of Gianni Versace and Yves St. Laurent, and displaying her enviable pout in fashion editorials and advertising campaigns. She was part of what was dubbed The Trinity, a trio of top models rounded out by Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.

In the years that have followed, Naomi has recorded an album, written a book, posed nude for Playboy, appeared on over 400 magazine covers, sought treatment for substance abuse, appeared in music videos by the likes of George Michael and Michael Jackson, received counseling for anger management, dated Mike Tyson and Robert DeNiro, made a brief but memorable turn in a Spike Lee joint, launched her own perfume, raised money for myriad charities, and been charged with assault by a string of assistants who've claimed the fiery diva has attacked them with everything from her fists to a cell phone.

Yes, our Naomi is complicated. But that's why we love her. Here are 10 gifts sure to thrill the Naomi lover in your life:

1. Naomi Campbell Doll
Naomi doesn't just look like a doll, she actually is one. Back in the late '80s, Campbell was the inspiration for a doll that was made by Hasbro. With its rich complexion and endlessly long limbs, the doll does a fair job of capturing the beauty of our favorite bronze goddess. The Naomi doll is no longer in production, but it may be purchased online via auction Web sites.

2. Swan by Naomi Campbell
Proving that supermodels can actually read and write, Naomi Campbell "co-wrote" a best-selling book in 1996. Called Swan, the tome was a mystery starring - you guessed it, a supermodel. Naomi reportedly later confessed that the book had been mostly ghost-written, and that she'd contributed almost nothing. Still, it's a must-have for her fans.

3. Babywoman by Naomi Campbell
Naomi appeared in a slew of music videos, shaking her stuff for everyone from Madonna to Vanilla Ice. Perhaps those experiences influenced her to record an album of her own. Produced largely by Gavin Friday, Naomi's album was called Babywoman, and its memorable cover featured the model shaving her legs while sitting on a toilet. Released in 1994, the album was decent enough, though it didn't exactly meet with tremendous success. Naomi aficionados will enjoy grooving to tracks like "Love & Tears" and "Life of Leisure"

4. French Vogue, August 1988 - Naomi's Ground-Breaking Cover
Miss Campbell has broken down her share of walls. Perhaps the first of those concerned her appearance on the cover of French Vogue in 1988; she was the first black model accorded this honor. It's a lovely cover, one that will no doubt stand as the crown jewel in your Naomi lover's collection. If you're lucky, you should be able to score this issue via auction Web sites.

5. Naomi Campbell Perfume
Never one to rest on her laurels, Naomi launched her own perfume line a few years ago. She has a couple of fragrances, but a standout is the one that bears her name, which is described as being "sensual with warm notes of spice, figs, exotic florals and fragrant woods." Yummy - who wouldn't want to smell like a supermodel?

6. Sex - Madonna

Published by Madonna in 1992, this uniquely bound book offers some revealing pictures of Naomi and the adventurous blonde singer in a number of racy situations. Wearing little more than waist-length tresses and her glorious smile, Naomi has never looked more stunning. Those who love the model will no doubt love this book.

7. Naomi by Naomi Campbell
This book was published in 2001, and features some of the model's most iconic images, along with previously unpublished photograhs taken by some of the world's top photographers. It also offers commentary by leading fashion desgners, photographers and entertainers who attempt to explain the Naomi mystique. It's a book no Naomi fan will want to be without.

8. Playboy, December 1999 - Naomi Takes It All Off
In this issue of the men's magazine, Naomi bares all for top photographer David LaChappelle (not that she's ever been a stranger to nudity). The end result is amazing. There's Naomi in space, Naomi atop a chocolate Playboy bunny, Naomi outstalking a stuffed lion and Naomi covered in milk in the kitchen. The shots are never vulgar, and would seem perfectly at home in the high-fashion magazines that are the model's usual stomping grounds. A cornerstone of any true Naomi collection. The magazine may be purchased online via auction Web sites.

9. Naomi Campbell T-Shirt - "Naomi Hit Me.. And I Loved It."
This T-shirt, designed after one of the model's assistants accused her of assault, is a tongue-in-cheek gem that Naomi lovers are sure to appreciate.

10. Prisoner of Love starring Naomi Campbell
Naomi has made appearances in a number of films over the years, but in this one, she took a starring role. Playing a bartender who is kidnapped by a man with designs on her heart, Naomi turns in a performance that's affecting and nuanced. Naomi fans will love seeing their idol in action on the screen.

Published by A. Gordon

I'm writer whose experience ranges from the natural medicine to the wild and wacky world of entertainment.  View profile

  • Naomi bared all in the December 1999 issue of Playboy
  • Naomi has written a book, Swan
  • Babywoman was Naomi's first and only CD
Naomi Campbell was the first black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue.

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