Naomi Campbell reveals how Anna Wintour fought to get her on the cover of Vogue

Naomi Campbell has said she initially had “no idea” how much editor Anna Wintour had to fight to secure her spot as the first black woman on the cover of American Vogue’s September issue.

The English supermodel, 45, broke a racial taboo when she became the fashion bible’s cover star in September 1989 – traditionally the year’s biggest and most important issue.

Appearing on CNN Style, she said: “I remember that picture. It was shot on a Saturday afternoon in the Hamptons.

“Anna gave me such a great opportunity and I had no idea how much she had to fight for that until after I saw The September Issue. I didn’t know how hard she had to fight for it.”

The September Issue is a 2009 behind-the-scenes documentary following editor-in-chief Anna and her staff as they produce the September 2007 issue of the magazine.

Naomi was also the first black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue, making her debut in 1988 after Yves Saint Laurent threatened to pull his advertising from the magazine if they refused to put a black model on the cover.

Asked about how she had broken through racial barriers, she said: “There have been some challenges, absolutely, but I have found a way to get around those challenges. I don’t accept ‘nos’.”