Racial diversity in fashion has improved in recent years, but the industry must not treat it like a catwalk trend, British model Naomi Campbell told Reuters in an interview.

One of fashion's most recognisable faces, Campbell has long spoken of discrimination in the industry where she has worked for 33 years.

The 49-year-old Campbell was the first black model to appear on the covers of French Vogue and Time magazine. She was also the first black model on the cover of American Vogue's key September issue.

Asked how the industry had changed, Campbell said: "In so many ways, but most importantly the diversity. It's finally ... sunken in but now we hope people don't think it's in for a trend like clothes are in for a season and out for a season, that's not going to happen."

"It's improved absolutely, I can't say it hasn't. I do think there's always more room for improvement ... There's still some ways to go," she added referring to equal pay.

Campbell began her career as a teenager and has modelled for fashion heavyweights, such as Versace, Chanel, Prada, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, among many others. She has also championed African designers and co-produced April's Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/supermodel-naomi-campbell-wants-vogue-magazine-to-launch-africa-edition-127784">Also read:&nbsp;Supermodel Naomi Campbell wants Vogue magazine to launch Africa edition</a>

Asked if African designers were finally getting recognition, she said: "We're on our way, we're not there yet, but we're getting the platform ... they deserve to have."

On designer labels improving their green credentials as public environmental awareness grows, Campbell said most brands were "very aware of sustainability."

"I feel that everyone is consciously aware now and trying to do their part. It's amazing, you go on set now to do shoots and it has to be a non-plastic shoot."

One of the five major supermodels of the early 1990s, Campbell has featured on the covers of more than 500 magazines. However, she wrote in this month's British Vogue she only recently began feeling more at ease in her own skin.

"Just because I'm a model doesn't mean that I felt comfortable," she told Reuters.

"If I would put on something that was figure hugging and I had to go outside and get a taxi in New York City, I'd always tie a cardigan around my waist because I felt a little self-conscious."

Campbell founded charitable organisation Fashion For Relief in 2005, hosting catwalk shows to raise funds for causes that have included victims of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan.

She began her charity work with late South African president Nelson Mandela, who referred to her as "honorary granddaughter."

The British Fashion Council on Monday said Campbell would receive the Fashion Icon Award at December's Fashion Awards in recognition of her industry contribution and charity work. Campbell said the award was "an honour and thrill."

Asked about Britain's impending departure from the European Union and its impact on the country's fashion industry, London-born Campbell said: "How's Brexit going to affect the country, on the whole, is what I care about.

"I don't think divide is good in any situation and there is a divide and when there's divide there's unrest, and unrest is not good."

But she added that she hoped there would be more opportunities in fashion.

"When people say global to me and I ask them if they mean are they in Africa and they say no, they're not global to me ... So if this is going to open up the territories that were not included ... then I'm for it in our fashion industry."

Racial diversity in fashion has improved in recent years, but the industry must not treat it like a catwalk trend, British model Naomi Campbell told Reuters in an interview.

Racial diversity in fashion has improved in recent years, but the industry must not treat it like a catwalk trend, British model Naomi Campbell told Reuters in an interview. One of fashion's most recognisable faces, Campbell has long spoken of discrimination in the industry where she has worked for 33 years. The 49-year-old Campbell was the first black model to appear on the covers of French Vogue and Time magazine. She was also the first black model on the cover of American Vogue's key September issue. Asked how the industry had changed, Campbell said: "In so many ways, but most importantly the diversity. It's finally ... sunken in but now we hope people don't think it's in for a trend like clothes are in for a season and out for a season, that's not going to happen." "It's improved absolutely, I can't say it hasn't. I do think there's always more room for improvement ... There's still some ways to go," she added referring to equal pay. Campbell began her career as a teenager and has modelled for fashion heavyweights, such as Versace, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, among many others. She has also championed African designers and co-produced April's Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria. Also read: Supermodel Naomi Campbell wants Vogue magazine to launch Africa edition Asked if African designers were finally getting recognition, she said: "We're on our way, we're not there yet, but we're getting the platform ... they deserve to have." On designer labels improving their green credentials as public environmental awareness grows, Campbell said most brands were "very aware of sustainability." "I feel that everyone is consciously aware now and trying to do their part. It's amazing, you go on set now to do shoots and it has to be a non-plastic shoot." One of the five major supermodels of the early 1990s, Campbell has featured on the covers of more than 500 magazines. However, she wrote in this month's British Vogue she only recently began feeling more at ease in her own skin. "Just because I'm a model doesn't mean that I felt comfortable," she told Reuters. "If I would put on something that was figure hugging and I had to go outside and get a taxi in New York City, I'd always tie a cardigan around my waist because I felt a little self-conscious." Campbell founded charitable organisation Fashion For Relief in 2005, hosting catwalk shows to raise funds for causes that have included victims of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan. She began her charity work with late South African president Nelson Mandela, who referred to her as "honorary granddaughter." The British Fashion Council on Monday said Campbell would receive the Fashion Icon Award at December's Fashion Awards in recognition of her industry contribution and charity work. Campbell said the award was "an honour and thrill." Asked about Britain's impending departure from the European Union and its impact on the country's fashion industry, London-born Campbell said: "How's Brexit going to affect the country, on the whole, is what I care about. "I don't think divide is good in any situation and there is a divide and when there's divide there's unrest, and unrest is not good." But she added that she hoped there would be more opportunities in fashion. "When people say global to me and I ask them if they mean are they in Africa and they say no, they're not global to me ... So if this is going to open up the territories that were not included ... then I'm for it in our fashion industry."

Naomi Campbell says racial diversity in fashion should not be just a trend

Naomi Campbell will be named a fashion icon at the 2019 British Fashion Awards. Speaking ahead of the announcement in London Monday Campbell called the honour "overwhelming and wonderful."

Supermodel Naomi Campbell talks about being crowned Fashion Icon, and keeping her integrity

Supermodel Naomi Campbell Sunday spoke about the need for Vogue magazine to launch an African edition in order to recognise the continent’s contribution to a global fashion industry that has been criticised for its lack of diversity.&nbsp;

The ultra-glamorous model visited Nigeria`s commercial capital, Lagos, to appear on the runway at Arise Fashion Week. On the runway, she spoke about the need for better representation of the continent. She said, "There should be a Vogue Africa. We just had Vogue Arabia - it is the next progression. It has to be.”

Only last year, the magazine launched its edition for the Middle East region.&nbsp;

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The British-born model added, "Africa has never had the opportunity to be out there and their fabrics and their materials and their designs be accepted on the global platform ... it shouldn`t be that way.”

The global fashion industry has attracted criticism in the past few years because most models for major designers and fashion houses are white.&nbsp;

Campbell added, "People have come to realise it is not about the colour of your skin to define if you can do the job or not," in reference to the fashion industry becoming more diverse such as the appointment of Edward Enninful as British Vogue’s editor-in-chief in April last year. The Ghanaian-born Enninful is the first black editor in the publication`s 100-year history and the first man to take up the role.&nbsp;

Ever since his appointment, Enninful has featured the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/halima-aden-becomes-first-hijab-wearing-model-on-british-vogue-cover-127762"> first-ever hijab-wearing model on the cover of British Vogue </a>for its May edition.&nbsp;

The magazine has been criticised in the past for its lack of diversity

Supermodel Naomi Campbell Sunday spoke about the need for Vogue magazine to launch an African edition in order to recognise the continent’s contribution to a global fashion industry that has been criticised for its lack of diversity. The ultra-glamorous model visited Nigeria`s commercial capital, Lagos, to appear on the runway at Arise Fashion Week. On the runway, she spoke about the need for better representation of the continent. She said, "There should be a Vogue Africa. We just had Vogue Arabia - it is the next progression. It has to be.” Only last year, the magazine launched its edition for the Middle East region. Also Read: Kanye West's friend Virgil Abloh takes over Louis Vuitton's menswear The British-born model added, "Africa has never had the opportunity to be out there and their fabrics and their materials and their designs be accepted on the global platform ... it shouldn`t be that way.” The global fashion industry has attracted criticism in the past few years because most models for major designers and fashion houses are white. Campbell added, "People have come to realise it is not about the colour of your skin to define if you can do the job or not," in reference to the fashion industry becoming more diverse such as the appointment of Edward Enninful as British Vogue’s editor-in-chief in April last year. The Ghanaian-born Enninful is the first black editor in the publication`s 100-year history and the first man to take up the role. Ever since his appointment, Enninful has featured the first-ever hijab-wearing model on the cover of British Vogue for its May edition.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wants Vogue magazine to launch Africa edition

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Naomi Campbell says racial diversity in fashion should not be just a trend

Supermodel Naomi Campbell talks about being crowned Fashion Icon, and keeping her integrity

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wants Vogue magazine to launch Africa edition