19 SEPTEMBER 2002
Naomi Campbell was once a permanent fixture on the fashion circuit, before cutting back two years ago to focus on other ventures such as her line of fragrances. But in recent months the British beauty has returned with a vengeance, with her latest appearance being a catwalk stroll for friend Tommy Hilfiger as she gets set to launch a new career in “hospitality”.

The model, who sported the designer’s vivid blue hotpants for the show, seems to be everywhere these days. Not only did she help Tommy show off his sexy spring-summer collection, which featured cargo trousers, military looks and leather creations, but she was also in the Big Apple to promote her latest business endeavour, called NC Connect.

The company, which Naomi formed a few weeks ago, brings her into the world of “lifestyle services, marketing services and lifestyle hospitality”. “It’s not a PR firm, and I’m not a concierge… If someone wants a boat for two weeks, I’ll find one. Through my travels I’ve been exposed to a lot of things,” she explains.

Naomi’s recent trips have taken her to the Venice Film Festival, where she hobnobbed with the Hollywood jet set, and to London Fashion Week, where she made a runway appearance for Julien Macdonald while rubbing elbows with her friends in the fashion crowd.

“I’m asked all the time to make connections for people,” says Naomi of her nascent venture. “So I thought I’d like to do it as a business.”