BY WENDY PACKER
After interviewing Yazemeenah, we at GRAND were curious about the success of other models over age 60. Turns out, they’re fabulous too. Here’s just a peek at a few we found who, like many of us, are vibrant, vivacious, and still packing a punch of “Va Va Va VOOM!”
Today, there are models and modeling agencies the world over featuring women beyond age 60. Five years ago, you could comb the Internet for hours and find barely a handful of models over forty. It seems now that ageism is diminishing in the fashion world. Women with gray/silver/white hair are becoming more visible every day.
Look how popular and fashionable Helen Mirren, 72, has become as she gets better with age. Lauren Hutton, Isabella Rossellini, Charlotte Rampling, and other actresses/models all seem to be making a comeback. Thank goodness.
These models are now being hired by some of the biggest modeling agencies, which is also a great step forward. Some faces you may recognize and others you may not. But if you love fashion, you will be seeing these faces more and more.
Daphne Selfe
Our oldest living Supermodel turns 90 this year. Daphne hails from London where it seems people are much more appreciative of women aging gracefully. Just look at QueenElizabeth! She’s always dressed to a “T.” Daphne has been featured in various ad campaigns in recent years. Her grace and poise as she ages make her a terrific role model.
Carmen D’ell Orefice
Carmen, 86, American, has been modeling since age 14. She’s “uber glamorous” with a career spanning seven decades! Carmen was winding down her career in the early 2000s when she lost all of her money in a Ponzi scheme. She had no choice but to return to modeling. She’s been featured in many print ads. Several designers had her on the catwalk during Fashion Week in her 80s! Today, she is probably THE most famous model over 60.
Maye Musk
Canadian Maye has been modeling since she was just 15. (Her children have also enjoyed success. One of her sons is Elon Musk, inventor of the cutting-edge car, the Tesla.) Maye’s look is somewhat edgy as she often sports a very modern short haircut that designers love. Maye always looks like she’s having fun and she probably is. Even she marvels at her popularity as she turns 70 this year.
Beverly Johnson
Beverly, now 65, was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine in 1974. She was 21 at the time and has been modeling ever since. Diversity has continued to be a vital issue in the fashion world. The New York Times named Johnson one of the 20th century’s most influential people in fashion in 2008.
YAZEMEENAH ROSSI
Yazemeenah RossiYazemeenah is a gorgeous model who has constantly reinvented herself with flare. She modeled in her younger years but has distinguished herself as a wonderful “over-60″ model. With the figure of a 30-year old and a beautiful head of thick gorgeous silver hair, she has a look that’s hard to miss. She’s living proof that aging does not mean giving up our sensuality. She swears she owes her success to clean living and a happy loving spirit.
Pia Gronning
Pia, 68, is from Denmark and also an actress. she has that stunning Scandinavian blonde hair blue-eyed look that has been so popular in America since the ’60’s since Cheryl Tiegs was the “ideal” beauty. Pia continues to model for print and film ads. She lives a quiet life in New York, but travels all over the world as she is in demand everywhere.
Roxanna Gould
Christian Soriano who blasted onto the fashion scene by winning “Project Runway” the fourth season broke the barrier of ageism in fashion and embraced diversity by designing fashions for women over 50. Wisely her choose Roxanna Gould to showcase his new collection. Roxanne won the genetic jackpot for being almost six foot tall and as striking as can be. You will see her even more as other designers decide to include our demographic in their collections.
Eveline Hall
At 68, Eveline Hall is the archetype of a modern women; her courage and ambition helped her define a career that most could only dream of. She has been a ballerina, an actress, a Vegas showgirl, and now she’s hosting the TV show Austria’s Next Top Model. She started modeling in her 60s and now she’s seen every where from the runway to magazines and ads. She lives in Germany but is known worldwide.
Lauren Hutton
Lauren Hutton, 73, famous for, among other things, her iconic gap-tooth smile is the total package, from model to actress to celebrity spokesperson for a myriad of products. But we think perhaps this one story sums up her beauty and career longevity. In 1993, Calvin Klein chose her to walk his runway and in 2017 he chose her to appear in a lingerie ad. Yes, at age 73, an underwear model! Let that sink in.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – WENDY PACKER
When I was 58, after sending my kids off to college, I started writing about my lifelong passion, fashion. My blog is FashionOverFifty. com. I’m on a mission to encourage retailers, designers, and advertisers to pay more attention to our demographic. I also produce fashion shows with women over 50 as models. Please contact me at wendy.fashionoverfifty@gmail or join me on my Facebook page.
