Fabulously Fifty
Brief: To create press worthy images on women over 50 using NB product
Client: NB Brown. Ed Watson Global Marketing PR
Style is not bought or learned because style is confidence.
But before you feel abandoned by those of us who work in fashion, let me say that clothes confidence CAN be learned.
It’s one of the reason’s why Jane and I created our body shape e-books all those years ago and they are still with us today, downloadable from this here!
Clothing Confidence is about understanding what suits your body and feeling happy with who you are, so when we got the opportunity to work with 5 amazing women all fifty plus for the client N Brown, we jumped at the opportunity to promote both a dose of stylish femininity and the wisdom of women fifty plus who have been and there and done it!
Our casting involved looking for the right combination of bodyshape, skin tone and beauty diversity and I think we cracked it…oh and added to that each woman is mother to a current celebrity!
Jane and I were also insistent that there should be minimal post production of the Chris Floyd Images. Yes his lighting is amazing that is one of his many skills, but what you see here is an authentic representation of each woman.
The catalogue we created was a resounding success. Read on for words of wisdom from our marvellous model matriarchs!
Ruby Hammer
RUBY HAMMER:
“Everyone’s body changes with age, no one is exempt and accepting that is key. What you don’t have to accept is that your style should suffer as a consequence. You need to make peace with that process and embrace the change. Enjoy your life fully and in doing so, pay attention to yourself. I am clear about what I like…and what I don’t like, I change. Know yourself and with that knowledge – if necessary get expert advice on enhancing your assets. Be open to exploration and don’t be afraid to say no if someone’s style recommendation isn’t for you. Use that inner-confidence to carry off your own individual look. But let me reiterate – you have to look in the mirror and see yourself, don’t allow yourself to be distracted. If something bothers you – do something about it. If you don’t look how can you find your solution? I always treat myself the way I would my best friend – no one tries to pull the wool over their best-friends eyes do they!”
Karen Clancy
KAREN CLANCY: “Who says you have to let it all go once you hit the big 50? I’ve finally got to that point I’ve always dreamed of, and after 17 years of raising my family as a single parent, I’ve got the time to start living life for me. I’ve never felt better in myself, my kids have left home and I feel like I’m beginning an exciting new chapter. I’m at that stage where I still want to be in style. I want to wear the latest trends, but I need them tweaked so they fit and feel comfy to wear. I’m so excited to be part of JD Williams SS15 campaign. Working with Caryn was such an inspiration, and from a woman like myself who never wears anything other than black, she’s worked miracles in introducing me to the world of colours. I love it!”
Melissa Bell
MELISSA BELL: “Six years ago, my entire wardrobe was black. I wore black because life felt black…having just been registered disabled after being diagnosed with kidney failure & heart problems – both of which were life endangering. I believed I was going to die, so quite simply, I gave up. Fast forward to 2014 – fitted dresses, bold colours, florals and stripes are my fashion staples. I turned fifty and in doing so, chose to turn my life around. I realised I wanted to live, and was ready to fight…because if you don’t fight, you lose. I still have 8 hours on a dialysis every day, but my doctor said ‘You look great’ last time I saw him, and for the first time, I thought – yes I do! You can’t change what life throws at you, but you can overcome obstacles. If I can set an example to just one woman that you must not succumb…you can be ill but still look fierce. What I have realised is: my disability doesn’t affect my ability.”
Debra Leng
DEBRA LENG:
“Having reached what used to be defined as ‘middle age’, I feel so lucky to be living here in the Western world at this present time. Women are no longer expected to fade quietly into their middle years in terms of their personal style. Fashion is waking up to the fact that the women from 40-60 and beyond are an instrumental part of the buying public, and designers are finally creating clothes to suit our bodies and our life style. I hope that other women feel as I do, confident in their bodies, embracing life and enjoying looking good. Let’s celebrate our ‘middle years’ together!”
Janet Ellis
JANET ELLIS: “I’ve always adored clothes and I can’t imagine a time when I’m not excited about them – that’s everything from browsing to choosing to wearing . But if something doesn’t make me feel good, I won’t buy it just because it’s ‘in’ . I’ve seen trends come and go (and come back again) and it was fun to play with disposable fashion in my youth but, now I’m in my fifties, I’m all about style. I’m never going to settle for discomfort and I pay a lot of attention to detail. You know that expression: ‘Happy in your skin’? To me, it doesn’t matter how old I am, that’s how I want to feel. And in the right clothes- I do!”