Getting Ready With Brandon Maxwell & Naomi Campbell

If you’re a fan of fashion (which we’re guessing you are) there are a handful of first-name-only icons who inspire a mixture of awe, fear, and anxious excitement in even the most seasoned pro. Think: Gaga, or Naomi. If you’re Brandon Maxwell, however, working with those names is just business as usual. And while the Texan designer and stylist might not quite be a household name himself just yet, following last night’s Swarovski Award for Womenswear win at the CFDA’s, we’re guessing that’s all about to change.

Maxwell—who for the record, couldn’t be nicer or more down-to-earth—welcomed us to his suite at Langham Place in New York to be part of his pre-awards party with...yes, Naomi. As in Campbell. From the second we heard that voice, that gravelly, insanely sexy British purr, and caught our first glimpse of Ms. Campbell, we knew we were witnessing a big-deal fashion moment. Allow us to fan-girl out for a moment: Naomi Campbell is the subject of fashion lore, not to mention many of our favorite ads and editorials of all time. She’s a larger than larger-than-life personality, and arguably the most epic supermodel of all time—and the mere sight of her made our stomachs drop a smidge. It was almost like seeing a unicorn in real life: we’d heard the legends, but never thought we’d truly see her in real life.

Fittingly, everything from her Brandon Maxwell cut-out gown, to her tray full of Lorraine Schwartz jewels was a dream. Her Manolo Blahnik x Brandon Maxwell heels? Heaven. Her thick braid courtesy of stylist Brian Devine is bound to be iconic, too. Don’t even get us started on her beauty look courtesy of Wendi Miyake using Anastasia Beverly Hills products. We have no doubt that this shoot will live on in TC history—the night we hung out with Brandon Maxwell and Naomi Campbell hours before his big CFDA win—and we’re beyond thrilled you’re along for the ride.