Guillaume Roemaet, a New York-based Belgian photographer, likes to explore beauty in all its extent. Last year he photographed his grandmother and aunt, two elegant women in their nineties. This awakened his interest in the preciousness of age and inspired him to gather this impressive group of women. Nine models who continue to work in the industry, spearheading a revitalised sense of aesthetics.
GILLEAN MCLEOD
Introduce yourself.
My name is Gillean McLeod, 63 years old, living in Los Angeles, CA.
What's your story?
I got into modeling late in life, my first job was for AARP and I was 52 years old. A photographer friend shot a portfolio for me, and lo and behold I had an agent. Lately there has been more demand for me in fashion and beauty, which is really thrilling. It's great to collaborate and experiment with people who are at the top of their game.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
The perception of aging has changed, no more the norm of short hair after 50, or the expectation that one has to color away the grey. This is a different generation from the prior two generations which came before me. I'm delighted to see woman of all ages included in today's advertising. Personally I love fashion, so when I am asked to participate in a shoot with beauty and good styling, it's very exciting.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
Definitely there is a change, but this past week felt like we slipped back in time 50 years. There is still a lot more work to be done to change attitudes of "being in charge" of women's rights.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
I'm passionate about my family and friends and shelter animals.
LISA CROSBY
Introduce yourself.
I’m Lisa Crosby, and I’m 62. I’ve lived in the United States all of my life.
What's your story?
I entered the modeling world at the age of 17 largely by accident. I hoped to become a professional ballerina after graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts. It was disappointing when I suffered an injury and was unable to continue dancing. Encouraged to try modeling, I arrived in New York City and made the rounds of modeling agencies. Eileen Ford signed me on my first day and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. I have worked with a number of the greatest photographers, including Horst, Avedon, Scavullo, Norman Parkinson, Sarah Moon, and many others**.**
I had a great time living between Paris, and New York City, partying with the Stones, flying on the Concorde, and hanging at Studio 54. I was very excited to book my very first TV commercial for Old Spice. I did many more commercials after that and appeared in several movies. At dinner one evening in Paris, I met Salvador Dalí. One of my greatest regrets was turning down his offer to paint my portrait.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
Aging is an interesting topic. Youth is embraced and applauded. It is also misunderstood. By that, I mean the young believe they will be young much longer than is true. At the first signs of wrinkles or gray hair, I, and many other models, took advantage of age-erasing products. Would I do it now? Probably not. In my opinion, aging should be embraced and applauded just like youth, but that is said in retrospect. Contemporary fashion has come a long way toward addressing aging. Many commercials use older models. However, I don’t see fashion magazines or runway shows doing that enough.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
I’m glad that women’s voices are being heard now more than ever and that is a right and good thing. It is my belief that women have a different system or way of perceiving and solving problems. They tend to see the smaller intricacies of situations that men might miss. I think also that women have to make hard decisions about careers, especially when one factors in children. I really can’t say that any of this has affected my life in a way that can be observed, but it does make me more confident as a woman.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
I’m passionate about my husband, family, close friends, dance lessons, exercise and photography. They keep me grounded. I also love fly fishing and hiking in the mountains of Montana. Now, I’ve begun work on a coffee table book, titled “Montana Horses.”
NANCY OZELLI
Introduce yourself.
Nancy Ozelli, in my mid-70s and live in New York City.
What's your story?
After a long and satisfying career as a foreign language teacher in New York City, I began my modeling career in my late 50s by being chosen to play various versions of New York society ladies on seasons 4 through 6 of Sex and the City. My very first print job, in thigh-high boots on an offshore rock by the star photographer Carl Posey, resulted in my being carried to shore by the crew as the tide came in. I have vivid memories of the internationally-honored photography duo Markus Klinko & Indrani guiding me through an abandoned factory with missing floorboards and crashing water underneath, and being kind enough to give me a poster size gel print of their amazing creation. My good fortune includes too long a list of outstanding and famous photographers to name all, and it would be unfair to omit any. Even the great sports photographer George Kalinsky deviated from his usual genre for a fashion shoot with me.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
At the time when my modeling career began, there were very few grey-or silver-haired models. I let my hair color change naturally, and convinced several other models to do the same. As a group, we silver-haired models have helped make the elegance of natural aging as socially acceptable for women as it has always been for men. Perhaps more important, the fashion industry and advertisers have come to realize that today’s older people are vital, have purchasing power, and are a lucrative market for appropriate products and services including high fashion.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
I suppose that I chose to become a teacher because my mother told me that was one of only a few career paths open to women. I smile over her telling me that because, according to a newspaper article of the time, she was the first female U.S. Postal Service truck driver, but she told me that happened because they thought that her name “Sally” was a nickname for Salvatore. I do not regret my years influencing young people to broaden their world view by learning other languages, and am especially proud of teaching English to thousands of young people whose families moved to the U.S., and do not know whether I would have chosen a different use for my love of languages had other options been available to women at the time.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
I am proud and pleased to support all of the arts, especially fashion as art, as a member of the Admissions Committee and co-founder of the Fashion Committee of the National Arts Club, support the performing arts as one of four Goodwill Ambassadors and a member of the Board of Governors and Admissions Committees of the legendary Friars Club, and contribute to the support and education of my colleagues in SAG-AFTRA on both the National and New York Conservatory Committees. Other favorite charities are The Actors Fund, which provides all manner of support to everyone who is involved with performing art, and Housing Works, which began as an organization to raise money for HIV/AIDS-affected people and now operates a chain of resale shops that employ people in need as well as providing aid to the homeless population.
MICHELLE STEVENS
Introduce yourself.
Michelle Stevens Childs , 62, USA.
What's your story?
Began modeling in 1977 with Zoli agency in New York. Spent the next 5-7 years working in editorial, catalog, and fashion magazine shoots until children and family demanded more attention and time. I was honored to work with many of New York's top fashion photographers of that time like Uli Rose, Patrick Demarchelier, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Francesco Scavullo, and most favorite and best of all....Arthur Elgort! Some of the best location shoots included a Bloomingdale's catalog trip to China in 1979, and an American Vogue editorial shoot in Egypt along with Nancy Kissinger shot by Arthur Elgort and Ross Whitaker complete with pyramids and Camel rides in the desert! Most memorable trips were to Europe either Paris or Rome with Italian Bazaar and on rare occasion with Elgort and Mademoiselle or Self magazine to the Caribbean islands along with her "wannabe model" boyfriend Star.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
As with everything we experience in the world as we mature, ageism has always existed and especially so in the fashion industry, but there are chinks beginning to show in that armor. Mature women today have shown that aging and beauty are not mutually exclusive and by adhering to a regular regimen of exercise and attention to skin care and diet, all women can maintain their radiance, grace, and energy well into their golden years. As for the fashions, any woman who has taken good care of herself over the years can bring life and beauty into any designs and outfits that will complement both her inner and outward beauty.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
It is a very important time to speak up for women's rights and thankfully many women are rallying to that cause. The current climate of anti abortion measures, women's health care cutbacks, and openly misogynistic behaviors will not stand, and we will see more and more women take on the leadership roles they deserve. This is already happening in many corners of the world. Women truly care about the future of our planet and the right livelihoods of their children and grandchildren.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
Tai Chi, Pilates instruction, NIA dance workshops, and my adult children along with my animals; especially dogs, goats, and horses. Daily, I look forward to long walks in the countryside with my husband and soon to be our new grandchild.
DAYLE HADDON
Introduce yourself.
Dayle Haddon - 71. I am Canadian.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
I think it would be nice to see images of women at all stages of their journey in life. It's more authentic, more inspiring and more inclusive of the world we live in.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
I find this moment really uplifting. My career has spanned decades where women’s voice haven’t been heard. It inspires me that this change is happening and I admire the women leading this change. I stand with them in solidarity!
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
Passionate about girls education with my nonprofit WomenOne focussed on quality education for girls globally and Gender Equality, having been a member of the first Gender Equality Advisory Council for the G7 under Prime Minister Trudeau. It is time to expand the idea of beauty to all of our journey in life. Its the time for the wisdom of beauty as well as the generosity of beauty with as we move through the ages. It is a merging of who we are with what we look like and hopefully to move through the wonderful stages of life with grace, wisdom, generosity and kindness.
THEA
Introduce yourself.
Thea Westreich Wagner, 77 years old, USA.
What's your story?
I was asked by Eckhaus Latta to model for them about three years ago. I was then signed on by Midland Agency.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
Aging is a fact of life but older woman relate and respond to fashion and buy. It’s good for fashion labels and it's good for the self-image of older broads like me. I love it - fashion that is, not aging.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
I started expressing my views as debater in high school and have continued speaking my piece through the years. In fact, I built a thirty-year business advising private clients on art collecting with focus and alacrity..
The more women, people of color, and people of varied sexual orientations speak out, the more accurate, fulsome and compelling will be the portrayal of our time.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
My passion is art and creative activities of all kinds. I guess this makes my interest in fashion understandable and inevitable…fashion is an art. My husband and I have been actively engaged in publishing artists books for the last thirty years or so. We recently joined with Stephanie La Cava to publish a series of seven children’s books. The first of which is by the exemplary artist John Baldessari. The next to be released in the Fall will be by John Kelsey and soon after another one by Philippe Parreno.
EVELYN KUHN
Introduce yourself.
My name is Evelyn Kühn/ Sokolsky.
I was born in Selisia in 1944 and grew up in Berlin Germany.
What's your story?
I started modeling in Germany, working all over Europe and eventually all over the world. I worked with the most famous photographers like Avedon, Penn, Scavullo, Rico Puhlman, Bill King, Melvin Sokolsky, Jimmy Moore, Bert Stern, F.C.Gundlach, Norman Parkinson, Saul Leiter ,Guy Bourdin etc.
The most important thing that happened to me after having the first highest paid contract with REVLON for 8 years was, being painted by Andy Warhol, Larry Rivers and Allen Jones. Recently a book of Andy Warhol came out with 2 pages about me. I am so grateful to be included with all the great celebrities, it is like being in the Hall of Fame.
It was an incredible era of creativity and talent and I was so lucky to have lived and worked at this special time.
I am still very active with trying to get my perfume line going on a big scale, internationally and it turned out much more involved than I first thought. I have a beautiful flowery natural fragrance, that I used to sell very successfully in my little Gift boutique in Greenwich,C.T. for 21 years. People loved it and encouraged me to bring it out on the open market.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
We women today are very lucky, because at no time in history had a woman as she gets older so many choices in fashion. Almost everything that a young women can wear, can also be worn by an older women. Of course it has to be right for the person, but that rule is important when you are young as well, always consider your body type, coloring and occasion. Plus today almost anything goes, you can wear any hem length, color and style you like and fits you personally best.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
It has always been great women, who helped me along my path in life, like Eileen Ford of Ford Models was my idol and inspiration for a successful women.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
My latest challenge is to have a painting of Jackson Pollock authenticated. It takes a lot of research and patience and my husband of almost 50 years is by my side, helping me in everything, like he has always done. I am very lucky to have had a great marriage, 2 sons and 3 soon 4 grandchildren.
I feel, that I not only lived a long life, but I also lived the width of it.…
The most important thing is, never to stand still, always keep moving, especially your brain and not thinking of the number of birthdays, that will keep you young…
ASIA DYRKACZ
Introduce yourself.
My name is Janina Dyrkacz but everyone calls me Asia. I am 61 years old and I was born in Poland but immigrate to America in 1981 and became USA citizen. I am the Founder of Models Against addiction Foundation and SupeRoleModels community.
What's your story?
As a model, I have been experiencing an unusual yet fascinating career. I started modeling relatively late at 40 with Elite Model Management. However 20 years ago I felt the modeling industry was artificial and I wanted to make changes. I tried to get attention from top designers even going so far as sending 20 white roses to Calvin Klein for his birthday introducing myself and my ideas of promoting real woman in his campaign. The fashion world and society were not ready at that time to accept beauty concepts with imperfection. In the past, I have been walking runways many times in Paris for Hermes as a favorite model for Martine Margiela. He was much ahead of the times by using real women to represent this luxurious brand to potential clients with classy and authentic look models.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
This society is becoming more conscious and real in every aspect of life. I believe we now have more appreciation for mature women who have more experience and wisdom which younger teen models do not. Beauty is about inside out and can be expressed with confidence, truly knowing yourself and what you stand for. As mature role models, we can inspire the young generation and help them to be more authentic and follow their dreams because life is what you create.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
We do live in challenging and transforming times when finally women are able to unite around the world and start the necessary conversation about abuse and harassment without fear. This creates an amazing sisterhood and support for each other. I am a victim of abuse from my childhood. The movement for women allows me to open up and start healing and share my story with other women including my family.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
I'm the founder of Models Against Addictions. For many years I have devoted my time and energy to my charity. Its became my passion to raise the awareness of removing the stigma of addictions and integrate meditation for people in recovery. Last year inspired by the #metoo movement I formed SupeRoleModels. a powerful modeling community united to help, support and inspire each other to make a positive change in the fashion industry. We are committed to fostering self-empowerment, cultivating diversity and bringing mindfulness into the fashion world. We provide individual and group consultations, workshops and events for models to live a more healthy and balanced life. We organize wellness activities including but not limited to guided meditation, creativity workshops, and nutritional consultations. We also practice backstage meditation with models during NYFW.
(http://www.modelsagainstaddictions.org/ • http://www.superolemodels.org/)
LAUREN EZERSKY
Introduce yourself.
Hi my name is Lauren Ezersky! I’m from the big Apple in the united states of America! I just turned 65 years old and can’t believe it because I don’t feel it or think I look it.
Her story
As you probably know Lauren Ezersky is synonymous with New York fashion. Hosting the groundbreaking and formative show, Behind The Velvet Ropes (The Style Network) - now a cult classic for anyone living in New York through the 90's and 60 million viewers around the world - Lauren interviewed and collaborated with the fashion elite from Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Isaac Mizrahi, Manolo Blahnik, Gianni Versace, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Bob Mackie, Judith Leiber, Sonia Rykiel and Vivienne Westwood. Her fashion provocateur approach to her own style and slightly irreverent interview style and commentary of others combined with her Yonkers accent has won her fame and favour inside the industry while providing a surreal and entertaining show for her viewers. In addition to producing her own show, Ezersky has been an on-air correspondent for "Fashion File," a cable access fashion program produced by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation that is seen in over 147 countries. For 10 years she wrote "Lunch With Lauren," a series of interviews with prominent fashion personalities that appeared in Paper magazine. She has also appeared regularly on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," CNN News, and Fashion TV on VH-1.
In 2017 Lauren's iconic status is being embraced and celebrated modelling for brands such as L'Oreal alongside Debbie Harry, Diane Keaton, Julianne Moore, Hari Nef and Soo Joo Park for their voluminous mascara, Gaudess Fine Jewellery and her portrait by the legendary photographer, Ruven Afanador, will feature in his new book released later this year.
What do you think about the representation of aging in contemporary fashion?
I think it’s about time that people looked at women of all ages and can still see beauty in us. When I was growing up all the models were blonde blue-eyed with little noses. I always thought there’s so many other women out there that don’t look like that and don’t want to look like that. so where are the women that look like me in the pages of the fashion magazines? I love the fact that today everyone from African American Asian Hispanic and even women with pigmentation difference are modeling. That is way more representative of the world we live in today and I’m so happy to see that. Actually it was the way and the world we lived in then but for some reason it was never shown. The standard of beauty was so limited. Today it’s all inclusive including women that are a little bit more curvy.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in human history where women’s voices are heard. How this change is affecting your life?
Women are using the voices now and why not. We are 1/2 of society. And we know bullshit when we hear it.
What are you passionate about? Are you working on something in particular at the moment?
Right now I am working on Chillaxing! I want to travel around the world and spend some time in different places seeing different ways of life. Doing this shoot for Italian Vogue was so empowering! It shows women are still beautiful and we’re still here we’re not going anywhere we’re just getting better. A few years ago I was shot by Ruven Afanador and that was another highlight. I’ve also been lucky enough to be in a few books throughout my life because I am definitely one of a kind and want to keep it that way!
Team credits
Talents
Nancy Ozelli
Dayle Haddon
Lisa Crosby
Gillean Mcleod
Evelyn Kuhn
Michelle Stevens
Thea
Asia Dyrkacz
Photographer
Guillaume Roemaet
Photo assistant
Kevin Drelon
Art Director
Lisa Christine
Stylist
Jennifer Hartman
Stylist assistant
Jasmine Morales
Makeup Artist Marla Belt
Hair Stylist Rita Marmor
Manicurist Kana Kishita
Set Designer Eric Mestman
Producer Felix Cadieu
Casting Tasha Tongpreecha
Q&A by Francesca Marani