L'HISTOIRE: Naomi Campbell's Model-Off-Duty Look After the 1997 Victoria's Secret Show

L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.

It’s hard to imagine the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show without the glitzy theatrics, towering angel wings, and electrifying performances that defined the 2000s and 2010s. The early days, however, offered a different kind of allure—one that relied on the raw, magnetic presence of supermodels rather than production value. Many models even wore fully clothed looks instead of the barely-there lingerie ensembles seen now. The show, which began in 1995, was a fledgling event, still finding its footing before it exploded into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. By the time the third annual show rolled around two years later, Victoria’s Secret had already cemented a roster of iconic names who would become synonymous with the brand’s rise, including Naomi Campbell.

At the Plaza Hotel in New York City, the supermodel strutted down the makeshift runway in 1997, wearing more than one scantily clad ensemble. Yet, it was her backstage look that remains a perfect example of the model-off-duty aesthetic nearly 30 years later. Campbell wore a slinky plum slip dress with a low-cut neckline that elegantly hugged her frame, epitomizing the understated sex appeal of the era. A black choker—a staple accessory of the late '90s—hugged her neck, adding a dash of edge to the ensemble. Draped over one arm was a crocodile Hermès Kelly bag, while an auburn fur-trimmed coat enveloped her shoulders, bringing warmth and drama to the look.

The term "model-off-duty" is ubiquitous in today’s fashion lexicon, but its true form originated in the late '80s and early '90s. Before it became a hashtag and a street-style obsession, it was simply how models like Campbell dressed when the spotlight wasn’t on them—cool, relaxed, and impossibly chic. This brand of effortless style, characterized by slip dresses, minimal accessories, and a touch of grunge, set the template for today’s trendsetters. Modern-day faces like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid often channel thier own version of this aesthetic, proving that while fashion is ever-evolving, some looks remain eternally enviable.

At a time when today's model-off-duty outfits are meticulously curated on Pinterest boards and TikTok, Campbell’s ensemble is a reminder of fashion’s power when it feels natural. To emulate her look, go for a brown satin slip dress (like this one by Christopher Esber) with a fur-trimmed coat to drape over it. Accessorize with a strappy sandal heel and a black satchel bag (like Vie Lorie's Veronika).

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