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Challenging the Conventional Image of Elderly Women
There is a preconceived idea among many that there is a correct way to grow old, especially for women. To grow old gracefully is a familiar expression, so what about those that challenge this adage? Who deems what is graceful and what is not? There is a conventional image of elderly women. However, just because society considers one way more acceptable, the reality is that there is no right or wrong way to dress. There is a distinct lack of representation of more mature women modelling current styles. There are fashionable older women who do not necessarily follow the ‘grandma’ trope, but there are not as many that push the…
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The Forbidden Beauty of Age in Fashion
Everybody ages, that’s a given. Yet the image of age is very rarely represented in the fashion world and is sometimes frowned upon. OK, you’re right, there are symbols of older beauty in popular culture, with people like Idris Elba and George Clooney winning the title of Sexiest Man Alive in their older years. But although they may have had a grey hair here and there, they hadn’t even reached 50 when the earned the title. The absence of age in beauty standards In the age of representing diversity, the fashion industry is performing poorly. Most brands that we see and consume have standard for their models. Their models are…
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Does the Fashion Industry Have an Ageism Problem?
The discussions surrounding diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry are now commonplace. Yet these discussions tend to rarely extended to include the lack of age varied representation, particularly the older generation. Ageing is a process of life, so why is it that this process, through the older generation, less represented than the younger counterparts? With the lack of representation through advertising and targeting clothing brands, there could be a gap in the market. Fashion can be about self-expression and inclusivity. Fashion cannot be fully diversified whilst a demographic of customers are not seeing themselves represented and reflected within the industry. Is fashion catered towards young people? There is a…
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Does Fashion Have an Ageism Problem?
Diversity is a hot topic in the fashion world, however, one of its lesser known elements – ageism – is rarely covered. We are used to seeing young, vibrant figures lining the pages of magazines or striding down the catwalk, but we never think to question it. Why aren’t there more older models, and why does most fashion seem to be aimed at younger people? Unfortunately, ageism is an issue that is rife across a wide variety of industries, but fashion’s unwillingness to accommodate for older people is particularly glaring in an age of mass consumption and rapid fashion industry growth. Missing mature models Models are a major part of…
