I am extremely happy to see that Mary Portas new collection at House of Fraser is aimed at the over 40's. As she says, it's this market segment that has money to spend - not the one populated by the 20-somethings. (Sad as that may be). So why are the models in magazines so young? Maybe, like sex, youth sells?
I thought it was interesting that at the same time as Mary has began a crusade for women looking beautiful at any age, my mother has been approached to model clothes for a fashion boutique in Stockholm. In spite of being in her seventies, she was told she is the perfect shape to take part in their fashion shows.
In a way this came as no surprise to me; she follows the trends - in a grown-up way. Also, in addition to dressing fashionably, she's always looked much younger than her age. When we're out together, I am often (in fact almost every time) mistaken for her sister. People are genuinely astonished to find that there is an age gap of over twenty years between us. When I was a teenager this was intensely annoying, now I am rather flattered and hopeful those same genes will serve me well too. (I am an optimist by nature).
So here's to older women looking beautiful. I will check out Mary Portas collection at
House of Fraser on Oxford Street as soon as I can. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of The Mannequin, a nickname my step-father has coined for my mother.
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| My mother in Östermalmshallen in Stockholm |
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| On her 70th Birthday |
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| With me, in the kitchen, preparing for some party or other.... |
