Naomi Campbell back on runway for Versace

Supermodel Naomi Campbell returned to the runway for a show for Italian fashion brand Versace for the first time since she was attacked and robbed on a street here last December.

Campbell, 43, looked fit as a fiddle when she opened the show for Versace Couture at the Paris Fashion Week here June 30.

She garned attention in a sheer bejewelled basque, which showed off her long legs. She paid a tribute to creative director Donatella Versace's late brother Gianni.

"I'm so happy to be here in Paris tonight to walk for Donatella. We've known each other over 25 years now. Straight away I felt like part of the family, everybody was so warm and supportive. And of course there was Gianni," contactmusic.com quoted Campbell as saying.

"Apart from being one of the most inspirational and respected of designers of all time, he was like a brother to me...always there in good and bad times the memory will never fade. So as you can tell this is an emotional evening for me. It really is a great privilege to be here," she added.

Campbell hadn't walked for Versace in 15 years and thus, was greeted by cheers from the surprised fashion pack as she emerged onto the runway.

Donatella Versace, vice president, Versace Group, said: "I started this Atelier Versace collection by dreaming about the perfect aesthetic of the black-and-white era."

"I wanted to make it new, and pictured a sexy and sophisticated woman with a strong attitude. Only a true icon like Naomi Campbell could open this show," she added.