Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been unveiled as the new face of French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent – just days after being charged with six offences.

The Mail on Sunday can exclusively reveal she will replace her close friend Kate Moss after signing a contract rumoured to be worth £200,000.

It is proof that controversy does no harm to a model’s career – Miss Moss became YSL’s face last year despite earlier being filmed snorting cocaine.

Changes faces: Kate Moss is being replaced by friend Naomi Campbell

Miss Campbell, 38, could face six months in jail or a £21,000 fine if found guilty of assaulting a police officer during an incident at Heathrow Airport.

She will appear in court next month. But last night the French design house said it would be standing by her. She has just shot their forthcoming autumn/winter 2008 campaign.

She told The Mail on Sunday yesterday: ‘I’m blessed and grateful to be working with YSL again – a house that gave me a start in my career.’

She did her first campaign for YSL in the Nineties and her last show in 2002 when the 71-year-old designer retired to allow others to carry on the brand.

A fashion insider said: ‘Naomi shot the latest campaign in the label’s studio on Avenue George V in Paris during March.

'The advert has a similar feel to the recent ad Kate Moss did for YSL. It has a very arty feel and Naomi proves she can still look as stunning as ever.’

What Miss Moss, 34, makes of being replaced has yet to be made public, but friends say she feels no animosity towards Miss Campbell.

The source said: ‘Naomi and Kate know it is standard practice for a fashion house to change models each season. There is no bad feeling between them.’

Last year Miss Campbell was ordered to do five days of community service in New York after assaulting her maid.

Meanwhile she also revealed yesterday that she has had an operation so she can have a baby and is prepared to become a single mother.