We were there. Tears for Naomi Campbell, who was knighted by Rachida Dutt in the Order of Arts and Letters.

Having been absent for three days, the sun seems to have been waiting for this very moment to reappear. On Thursday, September 26, the light poured over the gilding of the reception room of the Ministry of Culture in Paris, where a silent crowd, passing at times between the two parades, hurried to attend the unprecedented event, the presentation of the Order of the Knight. Order of Arts and Letters to Naomi Campbell. White sneakers for reporters, sculpted heels for guests, a light scent of wax and white flowers, evening dresses for daytime for the model’s many friends; while Farida Khelfa hugged LVMH Fashion Group President Sidney Toledano, Carine Silla. She was joined by her husband Vincent Perez while Katy Guetta and Bertrand Louboutin chatted in a corner.

Magic

Has the woman whose procrastination is legendary lived up to her reputation? Yes, but only for 20 minutes, but for good reason, as Rachida Dati explains as soon as the two women enter the living room. in the ministry, “everyone wanted to have their photo, their magic moment.” Starting with the minister, who seems to be the first to be charmed. After revisiting the model’s journey in a long, tight striped dress, Rachida Dati can’t help but feel more personal about summer frolics; “I would not accept any other ministry than the ministry. the culture. Already, because I wanted to stay there. And because I knew that in September, I made an appointment with you.”

Therefore, if we owe to Naomi Campbell one of the (rare) elements of government stability, then we first admire, as the minister reminds us, an extraordinary fate in which France, with its ties to Alaïa or Yves Saint Laurent, has always had: was present. Naomi Campbell, the “queen”, a woman with “character”, opened the doors, shocked the customs officers, broke the glass ceilings. She was one of the first black women to walk for the biggest shows, to appear on the covers of magazines. But, as Rachida Dati points out, it has long been kept away from advertising, fashion or perfume campaigns; “And it has a name: racism,” the minister insists.

Fights

Praising the struggle of a ‘pioneer’, a ‘resistance fighter’ and the 54-year-old Briton’s anti-apartheid commitment to equality and diversity, Rachida Dati goes further: “Your trip is a political program in itself. Suddenly, the minister announces that he will leave the box. “They censored me a little, otherwise my speech would have been more political. Maybe more violent. I believe in radical political struggle. You were a radical woman. You have advanced causes that are not finally achieved. And it is not Farida Khelfa, who is here, who will deny me, nor Katy Guetta. Before talking about the dream. “One day I’d like to create a classroom at Naomi Campbell School so that your name is inscribed in stone next to our Republican motto: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”

An example for the minister. In any case, the tribute is complete. “Looking at you in these troubled times reconciles human nature.” Before delicately pinning an Order of Arts and Letters knighthood on Naomi Campbell’s dress. Under the applause of the public and the flashes of photographers, who will make sure that the model’s long hair does not hide the medal.

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Waterproofing and handkerchiefs

It’s almost too much for a Brit. An emotional Naomi Campbell gently wipes a few tears from her eyes before asking for an emergency tissue. Tears that the sun, always it, shines better than ever under the gold of the Republic. Tears also flowed when, after thanking the state and the minister in French, the model mentioned Katucha, Iman, the other models who showed her the way. the hat doesn’t hit the candlesticks like they do in this room.’ The commitment is also evident in his speech. “I’m a proud black woman, but I always knew that to be successful I had to give 110%, not 100%. » Greetings, applause. Rachida Dati invites those who want to go on stage to take a photo with the model. We obviously did not dare. No one could enlighten us so well.