Is The Media & Fashion World Finally Embracing Women Of All Ages?
With even teen girls concerned about ageing (which blows my mind), it is reassuringly exhilarating that older women are making a power move to hold the limelight. As Grazia recently hit the news stands, it wasn’t Lily Collins that graced the cover, but her undeniably glamorous Emily In Paris co-star, Philippine Leroy Beaulieu. At 61, the French actress is just one of many getting the media to take notice…
There have been whispers of change over the years; a slow push for both diversity and age inclusivity. And finally, those whispers have turned to a roar. Women of all ages have carved out a place for themselves on social media and as a result, big brands, fashion houses and media outlets have had to take notice. With undeniably huge advances still to make across size, gender and ethnicity, the autumn/winter ’24 runways were at last a wonderful spectacle of age. Not to take away from the rising stars, the hungry young things with bright futures, but it was a season to celebrate the extensive population over 40. A demographic emerging from the shadows and stealing the show. Long may it continue.
American lawyer turned designer, Batsheva Hay, dedicated her whole FW24 line-up to women over 40. Women she discovered through her connections, her friends or simply out and about, minding their own business. It was pure joy. At Balmain, 20 out of 57 models were older than 35. Creative Director Olivier Rousteing told the New York Times, “We tend to forget that the future is also held within women that have had a life. For me, that’s what I wanted to show: women that have lived and continue to live their lives, instead of just young girls that have their whole lives in front of them.”
Beauty has no age , beauty has no boundaries , elegance is BALMAIN – Olivier Rousteing
These designers were not alone. YSL, Chloé, Vetements and Schiaparelli all celebrated the older woman. We’re talking middle age and beyond. In fact, in an illustrious attempt to prove that style has no sell-by date, a number of septuagenarians took to the catwalks. Yes, we’ve seen this before when, back in 2017, Dame Helen Mirren and Jane Fonda graced the runway for a L’Oréal Paris fashion show and when 71-year-old Veruschka modelled for Giles Deacon in 2010. However, and I genuinely hope I’m not wrong, something feels different. It feels bigger, bolder and more certain.
At Miu Miu FW24, Miuccia Prada cast Qin Huilan, 70, a Chinese doctor turned social media influencer from Shanghai, alongside Spanish actress Ángela Molina, 68 and Bafta award-winning Kristin Scott Thomas, 64. Once again cementing Prada’s sister label as one of the freshest, most ground-breaking names in the fashion industry.
Spanish luxury label Loewe is yet another breaking boundaries and stereotypes. Creative director Jonathan Anderson is not afraid to take risks and in doing so has created a legion of loyal fans. In 2023, then 88, Dame Maggie Smith was cast as the face of the brand. This season sees 68-year-old Leslie Manville assume the role, one that has elevated The Crown star to fashion icon status.
Fashion aside, the movie industry is trying to nurture the idea of the older woman getting the younger man. Less Mrs Robinson, more of an equal-sided, healthy romance. Most notably, The Idea Of You starring Anne Hathaway as a 40-year-old single mum who begins a relationship with a 24-year-old boy band singer – totally normal. Then there was Netflix’s foray into the genre with The Family Affair. Despite big-name stars Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron, it didn’t hit the mark, proving there’s still a long way to go. Although, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Kidman is barely off our screens, starring in everything from American spy thriller, Special Ops: Lioness to the more recent murder mystery, The Perfect Couple.
Then there is the exemplary Kate Winslett, not only respected for her acting skills, but lauded for her championing of the real woman. This month sees the release of her biographical drama, Lee, depicting the life of war journalist and photographer, Lee Miller. It also stars the acclaimed Marion Cotillard and Andrea Riseborough – both in their forties
People want to be able to relate and see their own stories portrayed. It’s so important that productions reflect the world that is watching.
On the small screen, which appears to be at the forefront of this revolution, Adjoa Andoh aka Bridgerton‘s Lady Danbury, speaks both eloquently and passionately about being seen and heard. Nuanced roles, previously geared towards men, are seemingly more readily available to women in middle age. Note Reese Witherspoon‘s celebration of female protagonists in The Morning Show, Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere – all stories people were eager to hear and see.
In the last couple of months, global magazine covers have applauded women of all ages, but it was those over 40 that got our attention: Susan Sarandon, 77 (ELLE España, August), Demi Moore, 61 (Interview Magazine, Sept), Nicole Kidman, 57 (L’Officiel Magazine, Sept), Catherine O’Hara, 70 (ELLE Canada), Isabella Rossellini, 72 (Vogue Italia, Sept). All sat beautifully amidst the shelves of young, break-out stars.
It’s a slow process, but it is happening. With fashion week just around the corner, let’s see what happens. Whatever your age, doesn’t it feel refreshing to see all walks of life? Real life? Not just a bubble of filtered faces and rules on body shape and age. Until this becomes the norm, we will continue to mention age and celebrate seeing those numbers. As Qin Huilan wrote following her walk on the Miu Miu runway, “I took action to prove that age is not a problem!”
Follow women proving that style is all about attitude, not a number:
1. Anja Poulsen
At the age of 49, Poulsen has only recently returned to the world of modelling. She is a true advocate for natural ageing and refers to herself as a ProAge model saying, “Every job I get I feel I represent all the women out there being in the “grey zone” women from about 43-60 that barely have any representation in the fashion & media world today… I am on a mission here, because we do MATTER .. remember that.”
2. Dr. Qin Huilan
Back in 2022, the Guangxi-born retired doctor discovered a whole new stylish world. Encouraged by her son to start experimenting with fashion, she posted her first image on Instagram. Today this remarkable 70 year old has 51k followers on Instagram and was personally invited by Miuccia Prada herself to walk the Miu Miu FW24 runway.
Therefore, I also want to encourage everyone who is confused at a certain point, never give up on your dreams! Before the age of 70, I only cared about my patients as a doctor. Who would have thought that at the age of 70, I would be standing here on the runway today. Come on! Look! This is Paris! Look! This is miumiu’s runway! Look! This is 70-year-old Qin.
3. Irina Frankild
As a Danish actress and model, Frankild has those spellbinding features meant for the silver screen. At 46, she is fronting campaigns once reserved for the youth and sashaying the catwalks for AW24. She oozes that pared bared back scandi cool, that should never be ignored.
4. Tracee Ellis Ross
Not only is Tracee Ellis Ross an actor, producer, director & founder/CEO of PATTERN Beauty, a haircare company for the curly, coily and tight textured masses, she is also exquisitely cool. And er, she’s Diana Ross’ daughter. Granted she comes from one seriously esteemed background, but at 51, she, like her mother, is a creative powerhouse. Plus at 80, Diana Ross is still proving that age must not stop you from ever owning the spotlight.
5. Bethany Nagy
Spotted on the runways at Saint Laurent and Balmain, this striking American 53 year old is also a regular on magazine covers, not to mention billboards around the world.
6. Renia Jaz
Aka @venswifestyle, this stunning fashion creative is well known for her style on Instagram. Often starting her reels with, ‘I’m 58 (now 59) and this is how I wear Adidas shorts…’, she is at the forefront of the fight against ageism. You’ll see her sporting Dior bikinis, rafia corsets and the most covetable collection of heels.
7. Folake Huntoon
I’m ashamed to say I only recently discovered Huntoon. Her style is perfection. It doesn’t matter if she is 27 or 47, but for the purpose of this article she is 47 and fabulous. Having seen older picks, this woman’s fashion, outfits and all round sartorial vibe has evolved into something of dreams. She is just cool. End of.
8. Denise Boomkins
Based in Amsterdam, the photographer now 49 has made it her primary focus to celebrate women of all ages. Over the years, through her project And Bloom, she has nurtured a community of like-minded people wanting to feel good at every age. In her book, The Art of Aging Unapologetically, she showcased multiple women between 40 and 100 to inspire and offer reflection. She quotes, “My greatest wish is for the current media to represent (much) more older women so we will start to believe that we look normal at any age. I want to feel normal, embrace myself at any age, and be fearless, yes, fearless most of all…I want it for all women.”