Naomi Campbell is shutting down rumors of a feud between her and Rihanna once and for all.
Campbell, along with renowned fashion stylist, Law Roach, added fuel to a rumored fire between themselves and Rihanna after recording a video that seemed to be aimed at the “Take A Bow” singer. But the 54-year-old assures fans that that was not the case.
Rihanna and Naomi Campbell backstage at the Fenty Puma by Rihanna show during Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week. Source: WWD / Getty
She told the New York Times, “I’m not about to let the world pitch two Black women against each other. We are two women with two children, mothers.”
In the aforementioned video, Campbell and Roach were taking part of the “very mindful, very demure” TikTok trend where they talked about fashion styles that were a no-no for them. And it was the styles that were mentioned that made fans give the side-eye and accuse the two of subtly targeting Rihanna.
Roach was the first to talk in the video. “We don’t go to the shows like the other girls. We don’t come with our ta-tas out or our chi-chis out. Very demure,” and Campbell followed up with, “Very mindful.”
Roach then said “Very cutesy.” Campbell came in again and said, “We don’t give too much,” with Roach adding in “we just give a little.” Campbell further explained, “it’s not about showing yourself, it’s about showing the clothes.” Interchanging they ended the video and said, “Very demure, very cutesy, very mindful.”
The video alone seems like two fashion icons just playing along with other TikTokers doing the trend. But the video comes shortly after a viral clip captures Rihanna arriving to the Alaïa runway show on Sept. 6, where she seemingly ignores Campbell and Roach. In the video, she stops to acknowledge and greet former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful who was sitting right next to Campbell and Roach. But from the way the video was filmed it appears the “Diamonds” singer walked right past the fashion duo without speaking.
Campbell and Roach’s “mindful” and “demure” video appeared to be filmed the same day of the fashion show as they were wearing the same exact clothes in the video that they wore to the event. However, there is no confirmation whether they filmed it before or after the show.
So it wasn’t just the timing of the video that seemed to hint that they were shading Rihanna, but it was also what they were actually saying in the video. “We don’t come with our tatas out or our chichis out,” “We don’t give too much,” and “it’s not about showing yourself, it’s about showing the clothes,” all came off as direct shots at Rihanna based off of what she was wearing at the runway show.
Source: Gotham / Getty
The mother of two arrived dressed in a tight white corset that pushed her breasts up. Added to the fit, was a long Alaïa crystal mesh shawl, which she kept clutched to her chest throughout the night. The outfit really accentuated Rihanna’s bust and legs – thus why many believed Roach and Campbell’s video was aimed to slight her as it was ironically specific to how Rihanna was dressed.
But shortly after Roach and Campbell’s video went viral, Roach shared a message on Sept. 15 debunking the speculations.
“What’s so funny to me that in this universe of the internet and social media that y’all live in, y’all always think something has to be something. But something ain’t always something. Sometimes something is just nothing,” he said. “So stop trying to make nothing into something. Y’all need to get some business. OK, I love you bye!”
Rihanna has yet to comment on the matter.
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
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