Art Of The Trench
— by Alyson Walsh
Gulp. I have been debating whether or not to post this picture of myself for days. Most people would love to be a part of Burberry’s Art Of The Trench campaign and have their portrait splashed across tube stations, and apparently, on billboards at the Hammersmith Flyover (not sure whether that last bit’s a joke and I am certainly not going all the way over there to find out) during London Fashion Week. The posters were timed to go up on the day of the Burberry show and thankfully, I missed them. Yes, I missed my own 15-minutes. Shame. Whilst some bloggers are happy to post ‘Today I’m Wearing’ photos ad infinitum, I’m not. I hate having my picture taken, always feel incredibly uncomfortable – even more so when it involves standing in the middle of Regent Street at rush hour – and this anxiety is usually reflected in my face. Well, that’s my excuse anyway. I’m all for the increased visibilty of older women in the media, just so long as it’s not me.
So. This is what late-forties sans Botox looks like. And after seeing this photo, I’m convinced that I suffer from some sort of facial dysmorphia because when I look in the mirror, this is not what I see. Now I feel bad about my neck/saggy jaw/marionette lines – and I wish I’d remembered what Bianca Jagger told me at London Fashion Week (yes, really) a couple of years ago, ‘Don’t let anyone take your photo from below!’ Let that be a lesson to you all.
Discussion (41 Comments)
- Amber Bailey-Nel says:
I think we all feel the same, and I think you look fab, very Stella McCartney. Love your style and your so British sense of humour, keep up the good work.
Have a great weekend honey. ax - Pam @ over50feeling40 says:
My first year of blogging I looked like the headless horseman! I refused to post pictures of my face..but I was coaxed out of shadows by other bloggers and it has been, well, freeing! I think they created a monster! But, my confidence level is up and I do not run from cameras any longer. I hope you will do the same and come out more often…you look great! Oh how I am jealous of your thin frame! Just trying doing this a little more and you will not dread it so much!
- Judy C says:
When I take a pic of myself I'd give anything if it looked like yours. You have a great figure for clothes. Love the outfit, the coat, the earrings etc. You just looked like you might have been in a hurry.
- Young at Heart says:
I hear your pain but you look very cool in your trench….. thanks for taking one for the old birds sans hair/make-up/controlled lighting /air-brushing etc!! I was catching up with your previous blog re-Nicholette and I'm pretty sure it was she who owned a shop of Chapel Market in Islington about 25 years ago that sold amazing jewellry and lingerie and other beautiful stuff long before that hood became groovy and fashionable….bought some very successful french knickers there!!
- ElleC says:
I think you look very cool and I would be thrilled if I looked as good as you.
Don't you wish that cameras and mirrors would agree on what you look like?
- Donna says:
I have the same dysmorphia thing you have, so I understand your angst. But honestly, I think you look very very cool. I like the sans Botox face, the silver streaks, your great bod and stylish clothes. And the trench with the sleeves rolled up — yes!
- Chicatanyage says:
The reality looks great. More often than not this negative stuff is in our heads. The strategy I often use is hats and sunglasses covers a multitude on a bad hair day.
- lyn says:
You look great – as many have said before me. Just not happy at that moment because of the photo, which is odd as you look great, as many etc etc.
Now come on, where did you get those fab keks and t-shirt?
- High Heeled Life says:
We are certainly are own worse critics. You look natural and great! May you start posting more photos of you and your great fashion sense. xo HHL
you look uber-cool! and you are rocking that trench!
- MyStyle says:
Hi there! You have a great style going on, love the hair-so natural and it's inspired me not to dye mine and stay salt & pepper. The trench makes your whole look and I agree with Pam, more photos will definitely improve your self confidence, go for it more often I say!!
- mette says:
There is absolutely nothing wrong in this picture of your´s.
You wear relaxed clothing and the self-esteem you have shows through in the picture.
No need for explanations.
We women are too critical, especially when we examine ourselves.
Keep these pictures coming : ). - Patti says:
I'm loving reality more and more. I think you look great – like a stylish, confident forty-something woman who's not succumbing to the knife at every corner! Yay for our team : >
- Sarah says:
Agree with Mette, we are all perhaps too self critical… Husband sent me a photo of myself he'd taken recently and my reaction was "why am I looking cross – I wasn't feeling it at the time" ?!!! Great that Burberry took your photo – you look very laid back and cool and how wonderful that you were part of Burberry's campaign.. Congratulations. (I did not know about not being photographed from below… will make notes for future reference!) x
- Patricia G says:
I know what you mean about not recognising yourself in photographs. Love the red bag and earrings but most of all your attitude.
- A Well Styled Life says:
I have the same facial dysmorphia!! I think I'm saved because I can't figure out how to take pictures of myself. You look great. Chic and confident with a terrific trench and real. We need to cut ourselves more slack!!
- Une Femme says:
OK…prepare for an intervention….YOU LOOK FABULOUS!!! Are you kidding?? That is one stylish and very attractive woman I see in this photo.
- Une Femme says:
And the earrings…Genius. Seriously, this is such a cool look.
- materfamilias says:
I sympathize with what you're saying, but wow! you look great! And very stylish — love the palette — the bold restraint of that small red bag, the earrings. And I love your stance also. It looks confident despite your claims of anxiety.
- La Maison Citron says:
I think you look fabulous! I would have turned if I had passed you in the street.
- nancyblackett says:
I think you look fabulous – so cool and clever. Love that bag slung across you. I know what you mean though, I have been blogging for nine years now and never posted a photo of my face. I posted a photo of myself and my dad on instagram and was amazed at how liberating it was. We lock ourselves in sometimes, don't we?
- Make Do Style says:
The photo looks great – I love the red bag and no wonder it was chosen for its effortless style.
You look lovely all round – all hail to no botox etc. xx
- L'age moyen says:
Very middle-age hip. What struck me was the blueness of your eyes and the relaxed hair. I know exactly what you mean about having your photo taken I feel the same way, and throw out far more photos than I post. I think it's part of our generation's dna – my daughter, on the other hand, is constantly snapping pics of herself and doesn't have a camera-shy bone in her body. It is, after all, the age of the image. Congrats on being a part of this fabulous campaign.
- Ondo Lady says:
OMG that's who you are??? I had no idea! You look great anyway.
- fabhat says:
LA Walsh – you look fabulous – wish I seen you on a poster – would have shaken me out of my morning commute reviere…xxxx
- the gardener's cottage says:
i actually thought this was a pic of stella mccartney. you look fab. love the trench too.
- That's Not My Age says:
Thank you all for your lovely, generous comments – you had me welling up – I seriously wasn't angling for compliments, just being honest.
For those who asked, everything I'm wearing is old: top from Cos, trousers Rag & Bone, bag, Jaeger and earrings are cheap and ancient (a bit like me!).
The best thing about blogging is the mutual support between like-minded people & the sense of community. Thank you so much.
Alyson x
- That's Not My Age says:
Young at Heart – yes, Nichollette did have a shop!
- J.W. says:
I agree with Mette, though I understand how you feel.
A photographer friend of mine said there were two views of women he did not take (if he liked them 🙂 )…one was the face from below, and the other was elbows from behind.
- didyoumakethat says:
I think you look great, too. I'd kill for your figure and style. In terms of what you see in the mirror: some of us look our best in photos and some of us don't! (I think you look marvellous, but you know how it compares to IRL.) So it may be that you really DO look even better in real life! In which case, more power to your elbow.
You were featured because you are fabulous. It's easy to look amazing in a blog photo or ad photo. You look perfect to me and the photo makes me wish we were best friends.
- Grace Black says:
Take more photos and go public when you feel up to it. One of my regrets is that I didn’t take more photos when I was younger because I had a line -free plump face and now I have little evidence of this. These days I take photos of myself because I don’t what the same regret 20 years hence when I really will look older.
By the way I see an image of a woman who is assured, and elegant. The pose, long earings, hair and flash of red makes it works.
- WendyB says:
I definitely feel a big disconnect between what I see in the mirror and what I see in a photo. (My hair guy once told me, "Photos lie!") But I love this pic of you! Congrats on your moment.
- Angele Style says:
This is a great pic. We need to see more like this in the media. No botox, no dark glasses, no crazy hats, just style. For me it is the red bag that makes the outfit and the way you are wearing it. Wonder what shoes/boots you were wearing with it? I see all these professional photographers kneeling on the ground shooting up at models yet I have heard the same rule to never let someone shoot bottom up. What's the deal???
- Fashionistable says:
You got to be part of Art of the Trench. Amazing. Who took the pictures? How did this all come about? Congratulations Xxxx
- LPC says:
My first thought was, what a stylish woman, with such great hair, wearing her trench SO WELL:).
- Veshoevius says:
I hear your pain about seeing photos of oneself but you really do look fabulous in this photo! Sans botox and all. You're a great ambassador for stylish women in their forties and very glad you've been featured!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I know what you mean about having your photo taken.. I'm exactly the same… I never feel any photo actually looks like me.. Maybe I need to put my glasses on when I'm looking at myself in the mirror!!!
Anyway, the photo is fab.. You look great and I love your style!!