‘Germophobe’ Naomi Campbell creates line of antibacterial clothing with Hugo Boss

Naomi Campbell has designed a clothing collection inspired by her “germophobe” attitude to travel, featuring garments that she claims are antibacterial, anti-crease and “anti-stress”. 

The collection, for German label Boss, also includes a compression suit to prevent blood clots while flying.

During the Covid pandemic, the supermodel travelled by aeroplane wearing a full hazmat suit and goggles, in addition to her mask and face shield.

“I’m not doing this for laughs,” she said at the time. “This is how I feel comfortable travelling.”

Even before the pandemic, Campbell wore a surgical mask and disposal gloves on planes, and would begin a flight by cleaning the area around her seat with anti-bacterial wipes.

‘Designed to empower women’ 

Launching the Naomi x Boss “travel capsule” range, Campbell explained: “This collection is designed to empower women to embrace every moment with style and grace. It’s about creating fashion that complements her dynamic lifestyle, making her feel like she can take on the world, one stylish step at a time.

“Today’s woman has a million things on her plate, and the last thing she needs to worry about is her outfit, especially when on the go. We’ve incorporated technology into the fabric to make life a bit easier.

“Everyone knows I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so of course we’ve added antibacterial properties to ensure freshness and cleanliness.

“There’s also an anti-crease feature, which means you move from one meeting to the next without worrying about wrinkles.

“The tracksuit set in the collection features a special print with proven anti-stress properties, promoting a sense of zen and balance.”

Antibacterial pieces include leggings and a white cotton shirt. The “anti-stress” design is leopard-print, and comes in purple or ivory.

‘Perfect for those moments you want to make an entrance’ 

Campbell singled out her favourite piece as a compression suit - a full bodysuit, although the effect can be achieved by purchasing leggings and zip tops separately - which “hugs every curve, elongates the silhouette and exudes confidence. It’s a statement piece that’s perfect for those moments when you want to make an entrance and leave a lasting impression.”

Boss said that the compression styles were developed “to help circulation and prevent blood clots when flying, while still being super-wearable”, but made clear that “this is not medical compression”.

Campbell likes to fly in compression-wear, and has shared her in-flight hygiene routine on social media.

“I was born travelling. I love being in the air, I love being everywhere but yet nowhere at the same time,” she explained in a video.

Digging out a pair of latex gloves and Dettol wipes, she cleans the table, seat, TV screen, remote control, window and overhead switches before sitting down. “This is what I do on every plane I get on. I do not care what people think of me. It’s my health and it makes me feel better,” she said.

She does not sit directly on the plane seat, but covers it with a blanket. “I change them every week. I just buy them in the airport. They’re always hand-washed in every hotel I go to, and then I switch up.”

Boss, a spin-off brand of Hugo Boss, appointed Campbell as an ambassador in 2022.

Last year she was criticised for designing a collection for PrettyLittleThing, the fast-fashion brand.

She responded by saying of her critics: “Do they say anything when caucasian models have worked with fast-fashion brands and done collaborations? They’ve said not a word. They’ve praised them. So why are they coming for me?”