Opinion: We May Have An Old Woman Problem Here

Superstar models of my youth are gracing the covers of the big magazines and walking in many of the shows. Elder actresses are walking shows and being featured in advertising, too. Marvelous. Almost. These older models and actresses are also always commented on for how age-defyingly fit and youthful-looking they are. 

I’m a ‘mature’ large-sized model, and in conversation with my agent at Ford Models in New York, I found out that I’m the only one in North America.

Let me repeat: I’m the only one. 
And I’m not getting booked.

I’m good with not getting booked because another model fits the casting brief better, but I’m the only one. So, if there were a casting brief, I would be the only one to choose from. Ipso facto, there is no casting brief for a mature, large-sized model.

Why?

We may have an old-woman-at-the-top problem here — specifically, the women in charge of the fashion business. 

Big, voluptuous young bodies are great, but I have the sneaking suspicion that big, voluptuous old bodies are seen as having been Let go.  Unappealing.  Maybe even a little shameful. 

Being old and large-size, it seems, is bumping up against those unwell stereotypes we were raised with, the unconscious, ingrained, generational, and tired, anorexic aesthetics of heroin chic. 

I believe that we (old women) are so deeply ingrained with these stereotypes that we can’t see ourselves with the same grace and empathy that we see others. Instead, we lament our aging bodies and lost youth — and my cohort is actually in charge of the fashion world.

The fashion industry has the power to show our daughters and granddaughters that authentic grace and beauty can exist for aging women.

We have the same moral obligation to demonstrate that being beautiful while being old comes in as many shapes and sizes, ethnicities, and quirks as it does while being young. 

I think it’s time for the old women at the top to wake up, show some empathy — to themselves first — and then fight for some grace for the rest of us by wielding their power for cultural good.  Write the casting brief. Start with New York Fashion Week. 

For our culture to be well, we need to see an authentic range of role models of aging. 

Article by Alicia Johnson, is a a model/global brand marketer/author, who has a book coming soon, titled Buried Treasure: A Field Guide to the Life-Changing Magic of Revealing Yourself.