SUPERMODEL Naomi Campbell called together her model, designer and celebrity friends for the Fashion for Relief Haiti catwalk show that was held as part of New York Fashion Week on Friday.

Early on in the show, buzz surrounded fellow British model Agyness Deyn as she stumbled twice in the same pair of impossible Burberry heels while modelling one of her looks for the show.

But soon, one of the most poignant moments of the event came as a result of the finale tribute to Alexander McQueen.

Lee, as friends knew McQueen, was discovered dead on Thursday in London. While he wasn’t known to have many close friends in the fashion industry, Naomi was in his inner circle.

At the end of the runway show, Naomi walked backstage with tars in her eyes and clutching the hand of fellow model Angela Lindvall.

The last seven outfits feature in the showcase were Alexander McQueen, modelled by Campbell, Helena Christensen and Karen Elson, among others – all wearing impossibly high heels by the designer, including one pair of platforms that didn’t actually have any heels.

Left to right: Kelly Osborne, Estelle, Donna Karan and Sarah Ferguson.

The audience – mostly paying ticket holders instead of the editors, stylists and retailers that normally fill the front row – applauded loudest for celebrities like Chris Brown and Kelly Osborne, and designers Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa.

But the crowd clearly came to see Naomi who did not disappoint, strutting down the runway in a black, sequinned flapper dress practically making it dance in the spotlights.

Campbell said before the show that she was always nervous before walking the runway, “but just doubly nervous” for the relief show because she had depended on friends to collaborate and wanted everyone to enjoy it.

American Express, which sponsored the show, said 950 tickets – at US$100-$150 each – were sold out within three days.

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