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“I think America may be growing up and accepting the fact that the bulk of life exists beyond 50. Because demographically ... the vast population is over 50,” she said. “This is not to negate the young people coming up. But what kind of an example are we giving young people?” Carmen Dell'Orefice
Carmen Dell’ Orefice via |
It has been said that growing old is not for the sissies-tell that to Carmen Dell'Orefice. She has been "showing up for the job" since the mid 1940s when at the age of 15 she graced the cover of Vogue for the first time. Carmen Dell'Orefice I think is more beautiful today than ever, and she is, at the gracious age of 81, still a working model, seen in numerous advertising campaigns and this fall on the runway at NYFW in two shows for Norisol Ferrari and Marimeko.
Norisol Ferrari collection via |
With
her legendary chiseled cheekbones and shock of room brightening
white/silver hair, Carmen owns any space she walks through. She put the Super in Super Model.
“Carmen is a born image maker and an expert editor of herself... In an industry built on hype, hyperbole and
the lure of passing fad Carmen’s astonishing 66 year career is
testament not only to her beauty, but to her wit, wisdom,
professionalism and unshakable resolve.” David Downton
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"Like every other model in the world, I longed to work with Avedon...
finally he noticed me"
"For me things picked up again in the early 1980s when I was 49. I
hadn't been working very much just modelling flannel nightgowns for
Macy's and such,
and one day Norman Parkinson showed up. He said, "You
know, for an old bag, you don't look so bad. How about some pictures in
Paris."
Those pictures were in French Vogue and they were wonderful.'"
At The Heart Truth Runway 2005 via |
by Tim Petersen via |
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"I projected a strong personality for a grey-haired ageing population -
I gave them the permission to be themselves."
When asked recently if she had any "work" done she easily replied “If your ceiling was falling down, wouldn’t you fix it?”
In an industry that celebrates and very often exploits youth Carmen stands apart, as she always has... to watch Carmen still working at 81 means maybe the fashion world finally gets it--women don't stop living at 17-real beauty has no age, and neither does Carmen Dell'Orefice
“I may be the last link to a golden age and
I’m going out with my high heels on…” – Carmen Dell’Orefice.
Carmen Dell’Orefice by Giuliano Bekor via |