70 is the new 30: why a modern woman can do anything at any age
'24.11.2019'
Source: New Time
Among the residents of the post-Soviet space, the stereotype is popular that there are things that can not be worn in 40, 50, 60, 70 and especially 80 years - this is a wild atavism with which the world defiantly says goodbye, writes stylist Katerina Kravchuk-Rudometkina for New Time.
Recently I watched a new part of the Terminator franchise with her favorite characters - Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, and, in fact, the Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger. I will leave behind the scenes the impressions of the film, since what impressed me most was not its artistic merit, but the fact that most of the time on the screen was the 63-year-old Hamilton with arms in her arms and defiantly gray hair. And this despite the presence of young actresses nearby. And the fact that young actors with pumped up bodies in characteristic tight-fitting clothes are considered to be typical heroes of blockbusters. For me - an impressive tectonic shift in ageism.
Or just the other day, an advertising campaign for decorative cosmetics of the L'Oreal and Karl Lagerfeld brands was launched, the face of which was 74-year-old actress Helen Mirren. You ask, what's so shocking about that? And the fact that this is almost the first time in history when the face of a brand of decorative cosmetics, and not a cream from wrinkles or ointments from back pain, becomes a woman of such a great age. The most interesting thing is that Helen appears as the late brand founder Karl Lagerfeld. And the latter, although he was the undisputed authority of the fashion world, had a weakness exclusively for skinny and very young models, who usually did not even come of age. At the same time, Lagerfeld often spoke harshly to aging and especially plump women. So it’s hard to imagine that under him Mirren’s bargaining chip could become the face of the brand.
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In the past few years all over the world, the desire for eternal youth and the denial of growing up and aging has gradually come to nothing. Two years ago, Vogue Italia came out with the 73-year-old actress on the cover and the slogan “70 is the new 30”. Since then, much has changed and continues to change, shifting the stereotype that in 40, 50, 60, 70 and even 80 you can’t do something, you can’t wear something or you can’t look something like that. And this is absolutely logical, given that today people began to live a longer and better life, allowing them to continue working at any age, lead an active lifestyle, travel, create families, dress beautifully and so on.
And after two years in Italy, where I see active, beautiful, confident women of all ages everywhere, the stereotypes supported in the post-Soviet space plunge me into a light shock. My close friend, a native of Western Ukraine, once said in a conversation that in her homeland, if a woman divorced after 35 − 40, her life should be over. All that she can afford is to worry about the children who have already been born, the house, work where she works now, and not lean out too much. Preferably with a scarf on the head.
When I hear this, I immediately want to share a photo of reckless Buddy Winkle, an installer from California, whose feature is short shorts, neon shirts and reckless accessories. And this is in her 91! You will say this is America, California and a commercialized instagram. In real life, this is not so. But the trick is that everything is possible, the main thing is to afford it.
As a stylist, they constantly ask me what women can and cannot wear after 40, 50, 60. Moreover, issues related to style and age arise mainly from my compatriots. On the whole, this formulation of the question confuses me. What does “what can” mean? If earlier I was still trying to make some sample lists of things, then after several years spent in Europe, it seems to me like wild atavism.
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Italians wear everything quite calmly, and often they don’t look as chic as the 50-year-old Jennifer Lopez, for example. They shamelessly wear short shorts and dresses, and not just, but with high boots or heels. They put on tight-fitting bright things, don’t shun t-shirts with tattered inscriptions and pictures, jeans and overalls. They can dye their hair in all the colors of the rainbow, but they may not dye it at all, pacing with the obvious gray hair and not a bit ashamed of it. At the same time, not everyone looks stylish, and some are even inappropriate. But the fact remains - they allow themselves to look the way they like.
And this is my dream. So that my compatriots begin to allow themselves to look as they like, wear and do what they like. Allow yourself to enjoy this day and this year, the current state of the figure and appearance in general, a love of black or bright colors, short skirts or wide trousers. When this happens, the next step will be to understand how to wear what you like, stylishly and appropriately, how to be harmonious in it.
In a word, as a stylist, I recommend starting an experiment - to wear what you always liked, but never lacked in spirit. What seemed to be laughed at by public transport and would not approve the mother-in-law. What has long been liked and even already bought, but it was never worn. And this courage to look the way you want, will be passed on to everything that you have to do with it. Be brave! Do not put off until tomorrow.
