Naomi Campbell has revealed her shock at seeing an issue of Hello! magazine that she says presented a "completely whitewashed" London.
The supermodel said diversity in fashion and advertising has improved but that progress has come late and there is more to be done.
The catwalk queen spoke in The Hague ahead of an appearance at the One Young World summit closing ceremony, an organisation she said is needed now more than ever in a divided political world.
"I picked up a Hello! magazine today and if I was not from London I would think 'My god, London is completely whitewashed', she told the Press Association.
"That's what it sells you, it's awful.
"London is one of the most diverse cities and cosmopolitan cities in the world and we have a huge diversity of people."
Of the magazine she said: "I was shocked. I was just like 'wow'."
Campbell credited her friend Edward Enninful who took over as editor of British Vogue last year, with helping to bring about change in the industry.
"It's (his editorship) uniting a whole different culture of people and innovations, and young people coming together and speaking out and I hope that it continues, it will continue to stay that way, not going back."
Campbell, who began modelling as a young teen, said while she is an optimistic person, change with regard to diversity in fashion has been a long time coming.
"I'm more the person that will say better late than never - but it's late," she said.
Australian Associated Press
