I have been a little negative in my past posts, giving vent to my mistrust of femvertising and pro-age. I was feeling dissatisfied and quite unhappy at what seemed the commercialisation of a good idea. I feel a bit more relieved, it's not all gloomy. There are also those who are genuine and are trying to make a significant political point; they are not in it just for the money or self-aggrandizement.
Are you aware of StyleLikeU?
Founded by Elisa Goodkind and Lily Mandelbaum, who are mother and daughter, StyleLikeU is meant to empower women. I loved their series of short videos for The What's Underneath Project, in which women discuss themselves while stripping down to their underwear.
You have to see the videos, saying it like that may give the wrong impression. Actually, the stripping is important, it suggests getting down to the essence. It's a brave act and it leads to self -acceptance.
It's hard to indicate a favourite, as there are so many videos that truly speak to me; but the first one I saw was the one with Jackie O' Shaughnessy, the former American Apparel model, interviewed at age 62 - my age now - about five or six years ago.
What she said totally resonated. She talked about the invisibility of older women, the 'epidemic of poor body image for women, especially at my age'.
I could never understand who would be so foolish as to call her names and say she is ugly. Six foot tall and never-ending legs, surely Jackie embodies our contemporary beauty ideal, which privileges slim bodies and height, only she is in the older age group. But clearly, the stigma of being old/older affects everyone, no matter their body shape.
It is with immense joy and pride I can announce my collaboration with StyleLikeU - all will be revealed in due course, all I will say for now is that I am really looking forward to it.
StyleLikeU is also currently casting; the casting call is on Instagram, see below.
Still in the context of age and age divide, I saw an article the other day about senior models in South Korea and I was stuck by it. Older people modelling are becoming more visible in this part of the world and the Koreans have implemented a systematic approach to it, with catwalk training offered at welfare centres. According to official sources, almost half of South Korean baby boomers live in poverty - the highest number among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Korean ageing population is growing at a very fast pace. Modelling has proved lucrative for a handful of senior Koreans, many of whom are forced by unfavourable economic circumstances to take up more unusual work.
The age divide in Korea is felt a lot more than elsewhere. There is a generational conflict. The baby boomers are not as affluent as elsewhere. Ageism is rampant and extremely ugly in its manifestation, with derogatory terms used by young people to refer to seniors, such as teulttakchung, a "denture-wearing insect" and yeongeumchung, a "pensioner insect".
An intergenerational divideis also apparent in the UK, in relation to Brexit, but many social commentators have been quick to point out that it is more of a class issue, rather that one related to age. It is also significant that the ageing population in a country such a Britain tends to be middle class and relatively affluent, unlike Korea.
It brings me back to the point I made in an earlier post: when we talk about age and ageism an intersectional approach is necessary.
Meanwhile let's celebrate the greater visibility of older women and men in fashion and advertising, beyond stereotypical representation.
Are you aware of StyleLikeU?
Founded by Elisa Goodkind and Lily Mandelbaum, who are mother and daughter, StyleLikeU is meant to empower women. I loved their series of short videos for The What's Underneath Project, in which women discuss themselves while stripping down to their underwear.
You have to see the videos, saying it like that may give the wrong impression. Actually, the stripping is important, it suggests getting down to the essence. It's a brave act and it leads to self -acceptance.
It's hard to indicate a favourite, as there are so many videos that truly speak to me; but the first one I saw was the one with Jackie O' Shaughnessy, the former American Apparel model, interviewed at age 62 - my age now - about five or six years ago.
What she said totally resonated. She talked about the invisibility of older women, the 'epidemic of poor body image for women, especially at my age'.
I could never understand who would be so foolish as to call her names and say she is ugly. Six foot tall and never-ending legs, surely Jackie embodies our contemporary beauty ideal, which privileges slim bodies and height, only she is in the older age group. But clearly, the stigma of being old/older affects everyone, no matter their body shape.
It is with immense joy and pride I can announce my collaboration with StyleLikeU - all will be revealed in due course, all I will say for now is that I am really looking forward to it.
StyleLikeU is also currently casting; the casting call is on Instagram, see below.
Still in the context of age and age divide, I saw an article the other day about senior models in South Korea and I was stuck by it. Older people modelling are becoming more visible in this part of the world and the Koreans have implemented a systematic approach to it, with catwalk training offered at welfare centres. According to official sources, almost half of South Korean baby boomers live in poverty - the highest number among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Korean ageing population is growing at a very fast pace. Modelling has proved lucrative for a handful of senior Koreans, many of whom are forced by unfavourable economic circumstances to take up more unusual work.
AFP/Jung Yeon-je
An intergenerational divideis also apparent in the UK, in relation to Brexit, but many social commentators have been quick to point out that it is more of a class issue, rather that one related to age. It is also significant that the ageing population in a country such a Britain tends to be middle class and relatively affluent, unlike Korea.
It brings me back to the point I made in an earlier post: when we talk about age and ageism an intersectional approach is necessary.
Meanwhile let's celebrate the greater visibility of older women and men in fashion and advertising, beyond stereotypical representation.
Comments
Post a Comment