A battle between icons.
Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell kicked off a feud when the “Vogue” editor, 74, shaded the British supermodel, 54, for allegedly being late to Fashion Row’s Fashion Show and Style Awards in Harlem, New York on Tuesday night.
Wintour took the stage to present the Fashion Icon Award to Campbell, but she was clearly ticked-off that that Campbell hadn’t shown up to the event yet.
“I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late,” said Wintour as the crowd laughed.
Wintour left after her speech.
A source familiar with the situation exclusively told The Post that Campbell was not actually late to the event. She was slated to speak at 7:27 p.m. and arrived at the event at 7:26 p.m., while Wintour’s speech began at 7:15 p.m.
The insider said Campbell and her team showed up to the venue just as Wintour was leaving.
Wintour, according to the source, wanted to leave early so she could attend the US Open. Wintour was photographed at the tennis tournament Tuesday with her daughter, Bee Shaffer.
The source said Wintour’s departure was “disappointing” for the three young designers who were at the event and were hoping Wintour would see their showcased designs.
The insider also clarified that Campbell didn’t know what Wintour said about her, but did know that Wintour left early, when it was her time to speak.
Campbell took the stage after a second introduction from Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief, Samira Nasr, and she used her speech to clap back at Wintour.
“Yes, Naomi’s always late,” Campbell began, “but I believe in my high power, and I want to thank my higher power for having me be here.”
“It’s so important that I’m here today, and I’m honored to be here in Harlem. Everything’s going to work out the way it’s going to work out. It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady. I’d much rather have this,” she said, gesturing towards Nasr.
The crowd audibly laughed and gasped over Campbell’s “the other lady” comment that was in reference to Wintour.
“I have to speak my truth,” the supermodel also said. “I’ve always been unapologetically truthful, right? So why should I change it now at this age?”
The Post has reached out to reps for Wintour and Campbell for comment.
Despite the obvious shade, Wintour and Campbell did compliment one another in their respective speeches.
Wintour said, “Naomi is honestly one of the most fearless people I know, a quality that was evident at the very, very start of her career, when she began to speak the truth about inequality and injustice. And this was at a time when it was not so common to do so.”
“Naomi’s bravery has benefited the entire fashion industry,” the Met Gala chairperson added. “Though, I can tell you that being on the receiving end of that fearlessness can be – oh what can I say? Quite exciting? But it’s her honesty that makes her so incredible to be around, a muse and inspiration for designers.”
Campbell, in her speech, gave a shout-out to Wintour because she “did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasn’t here.”
“So 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,” Campbell went on. “And so I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.”