Any publication that offers the secret of ageless style or the chance to improve with age, pulls me in like a politician at a News International pyjama party. Even though I know it'll be the usual, same old, same old, I just can't resist. So, on a recent flight back from New York, I noticed the woman next to me reading the April issue of American Harper's Bazaar with a 'Fabulous at every age' cover line. There's so little space in global traveller, I was practically turning the pages for her, and a feature on an up-coming documentary, About Face: Supermodels Then and Now, caught my (red) eye. Photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders has filmed some of the 20th century's biggest models - Beverley Johnson, Cheryl Tiegs, Patti Hansen, Christie Brinkley - discussing their careers and 'surviving in a tough business.' The documentary is out on HBO this summer, and you can read more about it here.
Let's just say, considering their age, some of these girls look surprisingly taut-skinned. So, I was pleased to see this photo of the fabulous Isabella Rossellini, 59, (can't quite believe this is her first appearance on That's Not My Age, I can only apologise) talking about the pressure to stay looking young and the use of plastic surgery and Botox:
'I don't think I'll do it. It's too late. My mother once told me that growing older was the only way to have a long life. So my attitude is, of course we are ageing. And it's natural, and it's beautiful.'
In an industry obsessed with youth, there's an admirable courage (er, sounds a bit like a pub) in resisting the pressure to iron out wrinkles and re-shape your face. Growing old naturally and with confidence is what That's Not My Age is all about.
And when my neighbour in the aisle seat left her magazine behind, it swiftly found its way into the TNMA hand luggage. Not caring what other people think is one of the best age-related improvements, don't you think?
Tee hee - I'd have snaffled the mag too! Great to see Rosselini featured - I was so annoyed when Lancome ditched her for being too old (even to advertise their creams for over 50s for crying out loud!)
ReplyDeleteSorry to quote my own blog as a comment to your post, but similar thoughts must have been flying across the pond this week:
ReplyDeleteIt should be Our Mission to the young 'uns that looking great doesn't have an expiration date, smile lines and their cousins— crow's feet— are the results of a long and happy life. Every scar, wrinkle or jiggle tells your story, and I bet it's a good one.
By the way, I was thisclose to Isabella Rosselini at a cinema event where she was honored. She was sort of "hiding" behind a Chinese-pajamas-type outfit but otherwise looked absolutely gorgeous, natural and enchanting.
She's very authentic looking and although I don't trust anyone totally about having or not having had "work" done, if she has, it's been minimal and natural. A lot of the women we see where their faces are expressionless, or so taut, they look like they're in a wind tunnel, have just gone overboard and done too much.
ReplyDeleteI don't like that look, but I do feel that everyone should be able to choose how they age, and how much they do. I'm quite sure Isabella Rosselini colors her hair, so she isn't aging totally naturally either. It's all a matter of degrees?
I.R. has inherited great features, but I have to agree with Kathy above.
ReplyDeleteHaving the hair colored/ cut / curled, teeth whitened, eyebrows trimmed, using makeup of any kind equals all to a not natural aging thing to me.
One could even ponder, if wearing even contact lenses is the right thing to do, if wished to age naturally.
Not to mention using fashion as a means of " looking younger".
I'd have grabbed the mag myself too! I've always loved Isabella Rossellini - a classic beauty.
ReplyDeleteVeshoevius - yes, very bad form on Lancome's part.
ReplyDeletemichellebeth- great quote and how exciting that you saw Isabella Rossellini in the flesh.
Kathy/Mette - oh yes it is all a matter of degrees and can't speak for Isabella Rossellini but I was talking specifically about Botox and surgery and that hideous 'wind tunnel' look. Nothing wrong with dyeing your hair, getting your eyebrows shaped etc. Women shouldn't feel that they have to alter their faces just because of a few wrinkles.
I've always found her so beautiful. I think her front teeth are the slightest bit crooked, and she never straightened them to be "perfect - love that too.
ReplyDeleteI love "growing older is the only way to have a long life".
ReplyDeleteFabulous. Isabella proves that personal style and a down to earth outlook make for a lot more longevity than hair dye or Botox.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it when I read that she was 60 years old!
ReplyDeleteI've been known to lift an important issue from waiting rooms. Same difference! I love her honest face.
ReplyDeleteGiven that she started off with great genes, it's no surprise that she looks so good now. Unfortunately, the menopause hasn't been kind to me as far as skin,bones,teeth are concerned and I would use every means at my disposal, had I the money, to make certain improvements in my appearance that clothes and make-up can't help. After all, if the 'Real Housewives of OC' can do it....?!
ReplyDeleteI have also been known to nick 'Gardeners' World' from the dentist's waiting room....I put it down to the menopause, naturally.
Absolutely.I only want to be 20 again with the wisdom I have achieved through the years, but who wants to be a bimbo agai??? ahhhhhhhhhhhh, not me.
ReplyDeleteAlways sucxh a pleasure to read you.
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I look to your blog for featuring women who have taken a stand and of course for humor. As for the magazine - recycling.
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes - Isabella is fabulous and I love her take on ageing gracefully. How refreshing to see someone resisting the 'one size fits all' rubber lips and unnaturally tightened face.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful. And yes I agree not caring what other people think is a wonderful age related improvement indeed. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous, if more women could resist the temptation we would be used to seeing the drooping eyes and find it attractive. The problem is that we get USED to seeing the rubber lips (so funny btw!) and it seems normal. Tight faces seem normal. What was freaky 2 decades ago appears perfectly okay and then we want to look that way too. So if more women put their seasoned style out there, the public will get used to seeing that type of look (which is NORMAL) and we won't have to run and get the Daffy Duck lips to make ourselves fit in. Personally, I am still using the silly lip plumpers because my lips have chosen the flat tire route since menopause. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have very strong opinions about the topic of growing old gracefully and naturally.
ReplyDeleteColorin the hair, shaping the brows, whitening the teeth and wearing makeup are non invasive procedures and they don't alter the structure of the face. There should be no mandate that doing those things must end when one reaches a certain age. A woman must be careful to adapt the manner in which she does these things to suit and flatter her changing face/body. Doing these things at 50 or 60 is no different than doing them at 20, 30 , 40. We all want to look our best and we should not be judged as 'not growing old gracefully' or fighting the aging process.
Invasive procedures in most cases are insulting and degrading to women. It is sad to think that we are made to feel so unattractive and invisible unless we surgically reshape our faces and body to suit some societal standard of eternal youth.
I am all for makeup and color the hair and any other intervention that is not invasive. Wanting to look your best does does not equate the denial of aging.
I'm not going to allow someone to stick a needle in my face so that my brows are lifted unnaturally, my lips are poutier and my expression is frozen in faux-youth.
A needle and a knife cannot simulate a youthful appearance.