babushka magazine

Too old or just told?

If fashion is an art, then why is it more obsessed with numbers than mathematics ?



On a crisp January evening, I promenaded Nevertheless as commendable as I find their effort to make a difference in down the roundabout of Fransesc Macia in breaking the mould, what seems most Barcelona, Spain. disappointing is the almost utter lack of action from houses who hold the gaze of In a chic cafe establishment, I observe one the general public, specifically in showing specific table that always catches my attention. haute couture. Within the past Spring 2022 A group of female friends chat nonchalantly, Couture week, only one runway show, sipping bubbly, as they play the popular card Valentino, featured older models. Viewing game of “Botifarra”. Spotted on one’s feet are couture shows as an epitome of fantasy, rather a pair of tall, très Hedi Slimane Celine boots than necessarily the reflection of the brand’s and a natty lace shirt. Another, in a pink tweed reality may seem like an easy trap to fall into. jacket with cream trousers, and exuberant Regardless of the house’s actions, the older bejewelled earrings. All four at the table look couture client will continue being faithful no to be at least eighty years old. Observing the matter the age of the models, as per the model scene with slight variation throughout the casting culture throughout the last century. It seasons, my fascination and admiration for the may seem questionable that these high society style of these women has written a clear ladies would want their shopping to be turned question in my mindscape; what lies beyond into a political statement. However these very the fashion industry’s obsession with the three claims pinpoint the root of the issue, the ambiguous elixir of youth? We live in an age discomfort of seeing ageing, in the ready-set of growing pains, with the shifting of the age- context of fashion media. It is this initial old gears within fashion to become more discomfort, which can eventually take us diverse and inclusive, yet as the fight for through to the other side, changing the progress continues, age which eventually meaning of beauty from a number to a state of affects every human being, has only truly been mind. If heritage brands, such as Dior or reached by this wave of change in the last Chanel would show older models on their decade. Yet are the current actions enough to couture runways, it would make an make a difference, and is fashion casting as invigorating impact on the rest of the casting age diverse as it aims to be? in the industry, making older models not a singular addition to the lineup. Considering The simplest answer is inconclusive. While we that Maria Grazia Chiuri, the current creative may live in times of unprecedented change, it director, positions herself as a femenist is unfortunately easy to find a set back for designer, an effort to be more age inclusive most advancements. Take one of the key would be a far more positive influence than t- components of fashion media, runway shows shirts with slogans, a change for women, by and lookbooks. The practice of casting older women. In fact, representation is what can models on the runway is by no means new, directly change the ways in which older beginning in the 90s through trailblazers such women perceive themselves. In interviewing as Jean Paul Gaultier, yet thirty years on, age several older women on the ways in which diversity remains rare for most of the bigger getting older changed their perception of players in the game. In fact, the most fashion, noticeable efforts in casting older models are currently underway by younger, up-and- Zoya, 59, answered ; coming brands. During the latest January shows, both KidSuper and Casablanca presented lookbooks with multiple silver and white haired models, posing in 70s style suiting, while at Y/Project, an older model wore one of the trompe l'oeil colourful ensembles.

‘If only media resources had more older people, with weight, some wrinkles–dressed in interesting and well-made clothing, this would display to the public that not only younger people can be beautiful and stylish, but that with age, women Aavgnusdta, 89 years old men can remain interested in fashion and to experiment’. The poignant response made me think all the way back to what intrigued me into investigating the subject; older women being comfortable in their own skin, with confidence, who show that an interest in fashion does not have an expiration date. A young woman myself, I have caught myself subconsciously fearing growing older. Yet I do not want to grow old in a context where fashion will become limiting rather than liberating. The only way to change our formed neuron patterns in seeing and seeing solely youthfulness in campaigns and on runways, is to make age diverse casting not solitary occurrence, but a regularity. Until we no longer have to celebrate a brand for choosing to be more age inclusive, and are no longer surprised to see older models on runways, the aims for age diverse casting in fashion will not be completed. Pictured in the photographs , my great-grandmother, Augusta, 89.