Naomi Campbell Defends Fashion Industry

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has waded into the size zero debate and declared: "Don't blame the fashion industry."

The Streatham-born beauty said underweight girls on the catwalk were suffering from a psychological illness and were not being pressured into looking skinny.

Speaking at the Elle Style Awards, where she was honoured with the model of the year title, Campbell said: "You can't blame the industry for a psychological disease. It is a disease, like alcohol or drugs, and the industry is not to blame."

Campbell praised recent initiatives to ban girls aged under 16 from the catwalk. And she said her agency, IMG, had issued guidelines to make sure girls at fashion shows are well fed and that the backstage area is an alcohol-free zone.

Campbell was fashionably late for the awards at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London. Her car apparently failed to turn up and she had to hail her own taxi.

Asked to name her style icon, she chose her best friend and fellow model, Kate Moss, who was across town at the National Portrait Gallery exhibition opening.

Madonna won the top style icon award but failed to turn up.

Actresses Penelope Cruz, who lost out to Dame Helen Mirren at the Baftas, won best actress for Volver.

Ashley Jensen picked up the best TV award for Ugly Betty. Thandie Newton won best actress and Jude Law was named best actor, while Stella McCartney took home the award for best designer.