The fashion world was left in shock at the news of Giorgio Armani’s death at the age of 91. The maestro of minimalist elegance was a designer and a visionary who reshaped modern fashion and built an empire on sophistication and simplicity. As condolences poured in from every corner, including royalty, Hollywood, fellow designers, and devoted fans, it became clear how deeply Armani influenced both style and culture.
Among the countless voices honoring his legacy, two stood out for more reasons than one. Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista took to social media to share their heartfelt tributes, which celebrated Armani, but in true fashion-world drama, they also reignited whispers of their long-standing feud.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyA Maestro Remembered
Julia Roberts remembered him as “a true friend.” Donatella Versace called him “a giant who made history.” But it was Naomi Campbell’s post that especially caught attention. Sharing a vintage photo of herself, Armani, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford, Naomi praised him as a man of “precision unmatched” and “a perfectionist in the purest sense.”
Linda Evangelista, in turn, called him “the master of fashion” and expressed gratitude for the privilege of working alongside him. Her tribute was tender, brief, and respectful, yet it carried an unexpected twist. Instead of reposting the full group image that Naomi had chosen, Linda uploaded a cropped version that excluded Naomi entirely.
Fans immediately picked up on the edit, interpreting it as a subtle but sharp reminder that all is not well between the two icons of the ’90s runway.
Naomi vs. Linda: The Long Cold War
The rivalry between Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista has been an open secret in the fashion world. Once part of the legendary supermodel pack that defined the late ’80s and ’90s, their bond fractured over time.
© Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesIn 2023, during the star-studded Vogue World fashion show, Naomi shared images from the event but left Linda untagged, a seemingly small detail that ignited a firestorm among fans. Soon after, eagle-eyed followers noticed both had unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Neither addressed the tension directly, but the silence only fueled speculation. Reports suggest professional jealousy and personal clashes could be at the root, though neither has ever spoken openly about the reasons.
© Getty Images for Apple TV+Since then, their public appearances together have been icy at best, with distant seating at shows, polite avoidance at events, and no collaborative projects, even with the Apple TV+ documentary "The Super Models" putting them under the same spotlight again.
Two Icons, One Shared Legacy
Despite the feud, both women’s tributes to Giorgio Armani reveal a shared respect for the designer who helped define their careers. Armani’s creations draped their bodies during some of fashion’s most iconic moments, shaping the images that made them legends.
Naomi’s words about his unmatched vision and Linda’s acknowledgment of his elegance prove that, even divided, both understood Armani’s power and place in fashion history.
© Getty Images for VogueTheir feud may add drama to an already emotional farewell, but in the end, it also highlights Armani’s unique ability to bring together, even indirectly, two of the most powerful women to ever walk a runway.
For the new generation of models and designers, Armani leaves behind a blueprint of timelessness. As for Naomi and Linda, whether their feud fades or flames on, their intertwined legacies will always circle back to the man they both chose to honor.
