Naomi Campbell: I love India

When you look at Naomi Campbell up close you can’t help but gush about how strikingly beautiful and sweet she is. And when she speaks, you know there is more to her than just good looks. The lady knows her work and has real passion for it. She is powerful and is using her influential position to help the public. It is fashion with a purpose, for a cause. And when she walks the ramp, she owns it and the attitude she oozes lets you know why the supermodel has lasted 23 years.

Speaking about the warm welcome she has recieved in India, Naomi says, "Thank you so much for being here tonight and supporting Fashion for Relief and Mai Mumbai. This afternoon I decided I wanted to go to the Oberoi and the Taj because I have lived there on my many India visits. It was good for me to go and see what actually happened at the site where tragedy stuck. To hear the stories of families who waited for three days just to know if their loved ones were alright or alive and of the people who were working there; what happened to them was devastating."

"I am from London and I have lived with the fear of terrorism. We have bomb scares on trains and we have to get off but the tragedy hasn’t been as great as this. The wounds don’t heal quickly, we are aware of that. With this night (the event) we want to let you know that we haven’t forgotten you; that we are mourning your families and your loss and sending you our deepest condolences. For tonight’s fashion relief, we are extremely grateful to everyone who participated whether the hair or make up people or models, they have all given their time for free. This successful collaboration is because of them, even if I came up with the idea. It wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s efforts. I am with IMG and it is even more special for me. It is at times like these that we have to join hands and show our solidarity," she added, "This is a great country; I have been here many times before and have always been very well accommodated. The people here are very warm and welcoming with beautiful smiles. I have had many people calling me from around the world like China and Brazil, asking me about this event, if it is really happening or if it just the press generating it. I was like, 'yes, this is really gonna happen'.”

Speaking about the concept of Fashion For Relief (FFR), Campbell says, "It was set up over four years ago. It involves the fashion community to support a worldwide cause. The first FFR was held in New York City where we had the tragic hurricane Katrina. The second was held in London during Fashion Week for the flood related damage in England in 2007. We collected funds for the Rotary Blood and Disaster Appeal as we had a lot of disaster trauma due to the floods in Gloucestershire. The 2008 FFR was held in the UK with the PM’s wife Sarah Brown for the White Ribbon Alliance which is bigger than a charity. We had a very big Ribbon meeting in Davos and Indra who is the head of Pepsi and the first lady CEO I have met. She is a wonderful woman and an Indian native and you all should be very proud of her. She was the honorary for that night. We have everyone in place for the final auction for the Mumbai Fashion for Relief. Everything on the show is for sale."