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Are older models trending?

— by Alyson Walsh

Jackie O’Shaugnessy aged 62.

Older models are in the news and I’m wondering if this is a paradigm shift? Don’t think I’ve ever actually used that phrase before but even David Brent-style management speak can be useful at times. Could fashion brands and magazines finally be realising that we want to see clothes on mature women, not teenagers?

One designer who deserves praise for consistently embracing diversity is the fabulous Gudrun Sjoden:

The Swedish designer’s bonkers-tastic, bohemian style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but look beyond the floral print smocks and polka dot harem pants and some of the simple jersey items and homewares are actually very good. The quality is excellent. I have a coffee-and-black stripey long-sleeved t-shirt from the autumn/winter collection that I wear all the time (I’d show you a picture but it’s in the wash). It’s very chic and so are my matching stripey bath towels.

At London Fashion Week recently, I was stopped a couple of times by
street style bloggers looking for older material. I blame the leopard print coat. It’s like cat nip to all those students lurking about on the
cobbles at Somerset House. Big Cat Nip. And then the Guardian ran a feature on older models at the weekend, I posted the link on Twitter, Facebook and Google + but if you missed it you can read it here. So. Is this a change in attitudes – out with the airbrush, in with the wrinkles – or are mature models simply trending? What do you think?

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David Hockney exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery

Jackie O’Shaugnessy aged 62. Older models are in the news and I’m wondering if this is a paradigm shift?