Naomi heaps praise on Chavez - Nov 1 2007
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has left the glitz and bright lights of the fashion world behind to join Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez at a political rally and tour government-funded housing projects.

Left-wing Chavez greeted Naomi warmly, planting a kiss on her hand as she arrived in a long white dress at a rally in Caracas promoting state programmes for single mothers. He then went on to launch a tirade against his sworn political enemy George Bush and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

"I’ve been here for 24 hours and I’m amazed to see the love and encouragement for the social programmes that you have here for women and children in Venezuela," the model told cheering crowds through a translator.

After calling Naomi "a very special woman", Chavez launched into a fiery speech, blasting US president George Bush for maintaining Washington’s 46-year trade embargo against Cuba and slamming Lady Thatcher for "governing like a machista".

Naomi praised Chavez’s health and education programmes after a four-hour meeting on Tuesday at the presidential palace, where she interviewed Chavez for an unspecified publication.

"She did a long, three-hour interview with me for a magazine that she works for, doing journalism," Chavez said.

The hot-tempered high-fashion model, who in January pleaded guilty to assaulting her maid in New York, is the latest foreign celebrity to visit Venezuela’s socialist leader.

Chavez met American actor Kevin Spacey last month. Hollywood stars Sean Penn, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte have also made recent trips.


Naomi’s catwalk show raises thousands - Sept 21 2007
Pop stars, film stars, royalty and supermodels strutted down the catwalk last night to raise money for victims of the UK floods - while Kate Moss donated £25,000 to the cause.  see photos

Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief show was a huge hit. Seven dresses sold after the event - the finale to London Fashion Week - raised a total of £176,000.

Supermodels like Kate and Claudia Schiffer watched from the front rows along with names likes Sting and his wife Trudie Styler.

Trudie introduced the event at the Natural History Museum, saying of the flood victims: "Their lives have been turned upside down and many are still struggling to get back to some semblance of normal life.

"We’re here tonight to give those families a helping hand."

TopShop boss Sir Philip Green said the store had donated £50,000 while he and his wife were donating the same again.

Models included Erin O’Connor, Jamelia, X Factor’s Shayne Ward, opera singer Katherine Jenkins, Big Brother twins Sam and Amanda, actor Christian Slater, Boy George and Melanie Blatt.

Afterwards, Sir Philip paid £10,000 for a Julien Macdonald dress worn by Jenkins and £35,000 for another frock. Two went for £5,000 and others went for £50,000 and £7,000.

A bidder paid £14,000 for a Chanel dress worn by Naomi while another forked out £50,000 for her Garrard diamond.

Before Naomi’s show began, it had already raised £500,000, half of its £1 million target.

The cover girl was emotional when she came onto the catwalk near the finale, saying: "It’s been a great week. I can’t really speak. I’m a bit nervous."