 |
| Photo: Getty |
This was going to be called 'Not Invisible.' Or given Charlotte Rampling's honorary French status, 'Pas Invisible'. My attempt to challenge the idea that women
beyond the age of 46 (on this side of the Channel, at least) disappear from view. Arguably, there are fewer older women in the public eye. Fewer older women in ad campaigns, in parliament, on TV, in films. And the pressure to stay young-looking is immense, but ageing shouldn't affect our standing in the world or our self-esteem. I may not be as energetic as I once was and I don't have the bone structure of a movie star, but I certainly don't feel invisible. Just because I'm getting on a bit, doesn't mean I'm fading from view - surely the abundancy of blogs featuring women of a certain age has put paid to this old-fashioned notion? That's Not My Age will continue to celebrate older women by making this a regular feature, starring female role models who feel the same. First up is 66-year-old Charlotte Rampling, who told
The Times earlier this year:
'We live in a sexist society, we live in an ageist society. So when we start looking a bit tired and old, we're put out to grass. I can fight it more because I'm not in the system.'
 |
| Photos: Greta Illieva. |
The Essex-born, Parisian-based star refuses to indulge in Botox and fillers and says of the obsession with plastic surgery, 'They've all gone to the same surgeon so they've all got the same faces. But I've got a good face...' Adding, 'They need older women in films, and Hollywood is having a lot of difficulty finding people who look that age. So don't change your face, and you can get really interesting parts. And not just granny parts - you can get sexy parts too.' And she's not wrong. Rampling is currently playing a femme fatale in her latest film
I, Anna.
 |
| Photo: Harper's Bazaar. |
"If you focus on it , it becomes alarming, but you can just... dance with it and really not worry about it.'
 |
| Photo: Helmut Newton. |
Famous for getting her kit off in
The Night Porter and for Helmut Newton in this 1974
Vogue shoot, age hasn't deterred her. Rampling posed nearly-naked for a 2003 Marc Jacob's advert, shot by Juergen Teller.
 |
| From the same Juergen Teller shoot. |
And again for Teller in 2005 when their creative partnership resulted in the book
Louis XV.
As Charlotte Rampling proves, attractiveness is related to
confidence and the way you feel about yourself. What are your thoughts on the Invisible Years?
This is a fabulous post and she is a fabulous woman. I loved reading about her.
ReplyDeleteShe looks amazing and is lucky (or maybe hard work) to still have a great body. It's true about becoming invisible in this country from a certain age and I think it's a lot worse here than in France. She's made the right choice living there ;-)
ReplyDeleteShe is just gorgeous in that top picture and so inspirational with her stance on Botox and such. I think we have to do exactly what you are doing...control the message and continue to get the word out that 45+ is a vibrant, exciting time of life. I am happy to join you in that pursuit!
ReplyDeleteI think she looks fantastic in all pictures. I am so glad that she spoke about plastic surgery and roles in film. Confidence is such a great thing!
ReplyDeleteFirstly let me say I really appreciate your blog - its excellent. Secondly, I loved the film I, Anna and particularly loved seeing Honor Blackman and Charlotte Rampling looking like older women. However, despite this fact - they certainly dont look 40 - I do think that some cosmetic work has been undertaken by them both. Charlotte Rampling, seen running in slow motion in this film, sadly does not have the moveable face of a woman who hasnt had any work done, in my opinion. I may be wrong, but it'd be good to hear others' opinions who have seen the film.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're going to make this a regular feature on your blog. I've always loved Charlotte Rampling. I'm 60, and don't feel invisible yet, or maybe I haven't noticed or cared?
ReplyDeleteIt´s no news that young, bold and beautiful is how women are expected to look in US and other countries too.
ReplyDeleteFor some time now, older women have stepped on stage and wish to be regarded as they should be.
CR makes no exception. She looks good for her age, she has a slim, nice figure.
The pictures of her are ok, but why oh why the totally naked picture?
Another great profile of a gorgeous woman who inspires and stuns. I'm looking forward to her latest film. I agree with her philosophy on aging. What's not to love about 'dancing' with the aging process.
ReplyDeletei LOVE charlotte! and now i love her even more. the idea that an older woman cannot be sexy is just insane to me. i love these posts you do and i'm so glad you are going to make them a regular feature. xoxo
ReplyDeleteEven if visible, we're not supposed to be sexy while old. It's a crime. SWO. Fie on the rule!
ReplyDeleteAnd she is a great actress. I am looking forward to seeing the film. I have seen a trailer. Visible or invisible has never really bothered me. It is more about how I see the world than about how the world sees me.
ReplyDeleteI love Charlotte Rampling and that nude shot at the end is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI'm 46 and definitely don't feel invisible! x
The problem I see with aging if one is an actress is having to choose roles that are stereotypes of old woman being insane, or diseased, or with some major character flaw. I like the message CR is promoting of no Botox needed or surgery even if she is not sticking to it. And if she is able to find roles that portray a healthy vibrant, interesting woman in her 80's and 90's that will be a real treat. I am age 72 and I love the expression dancing with age because it allows each one of us to create our own dance.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought she was absolutely stunning. Her face has such beauty and character.
ReplyDeleteLove Charlotte Rampling. I wonder if she chose to live in France because, (based on a mere six months living here, but also by looking at other national icons and sex symbols like Catherine Deneuve), the aging woman isn't considered the horrific spectacle she is in North America? I am now experiencing reverse culture shock when I see or read American media and encounter the cult of youth, at all (or any?) costs.
ReplyDeleteShe is quite wonderful, no question. that said, it is easier to break barriers when you are and always have been extraordinary looking. A far greater challenge for those of us living with modest assets.
ReplyDeleteI love her expression of "dancing" with age! She's stunning and confident and very far from Invisible.
ReplyDeleteShe has been beautiful in all her ages. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh noes, I only have a year to go before I become invisible! :-D
ReplyDeleteWe were so inspired by her and posted on her as well, http://bit.ly/UTVrVW. I love that she remains so bold with her film and modeling decisions. They prove the face and body are beautiful at any age.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post...Charlotte inspires me to embrace the beauty of age...I'm looking forward to this series ;-)
ReplyDeleteCatherine
xx
i'm 51 i don't feel invisible i know what looks good on me the secret is once you start thinking about age it's a downward spiral....also don't live in the past the only way we're going is forward embrace it! this means being open to new music, art and ideas it means being willing to learn,think outside the box, stop moaning, loving the body you're in if it's not the body you want work at it and no it doesn't take longer to get in shape thats a myth!! it means never saying 'i'm too old to do that' it means being positive, open to change, if you want to rock the tats and piercing DO IT! and as for sex well if you spend all your time thinking i'm too old, or it's disgusting or it's boring then that's what it will become,every misconception you harbour about age comes from your own mind.....
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing. It's so refreshing to see someone like her after continually seeing older women pulled stretched and shellacked beyond normal.
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing. It's so refreshing to see someone like her after continually seeing older women pulled stretched and shellacked beyond normal.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I'm 45 and believe that a backlash against all the plastic surgery has started. When everyone looks the same, there's no beauty in it, it just becomes banal. True beauty to me is in the imperfections, the very signs of aging, I hope I would never want to erase those. Charlotte is and looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI like to think that with age comes the confidence, you made it this far, most probably healthier and wiser than a generation ago so make the most of it! However, I am conscious about not going to the extreme either, I like to dress classic but youthful and take more care with grooming, that's all. This is the time of life when thoughts and experience should matter more and the woman herself is of importantance.
Love Charlotte Rampling but can honestly state she has fillers and botox - don't mean to be a snitch but there you go!
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many facial lotions you apply, there is no way to stop the clock of ageing. The wrinkles and deep lines will start becoming visible on your face over a period of time. The middle aged people are often puzzled that when is the right time to get cosmetic help. Botox injections can effectively help in minimising or even removing wrinkles and fine lines appearing on the face because of ageing. In some cases, it can also treat muscle spasms and severe underarm perspiration. Botox Charlotte does not involve surgery or incisions, which makes it extremely convenient for everyone.
ReplyDelete