Diversity in the modelling industry has become more and more of a hot button issue in the past few years. Runway shows are no longer whitewashed, curvy girls are creating waves in the industry, and some runway shows have even seen models in wheelchairs. However, the industry still remains fairly ageist, with very few mature models being seen in fashion shoots and on runways. Here are 10 of the top models over 40 who are shaking up the industry and breaking down barriers.
By Monique Courtney
10. Nicola Griffin
Nicola Griffin was discovered in 2013 in a bank in Nottingham by the White Hot Hair company and was asked to model for the shampoo company. She accepted the offer immediately and has been modelling ever since. Nicola has been photographed by SLiNK, a U.K.-based lingerie publication, has been a part of the latest Swimsexy campaign, was featured in Kinetik Beauty advertisem*nts, and has modelled for plus-size designer Anna Scholz.
Nicola is the oldest model to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated thanks to the Swimsexy campaign. She has twin daughters, both at college, and her hobbies include staying fit and eating healthily.
Image Source: noticiaspositivas.org
9. Daphne Selfe
Daphne Selfe is the world’s oldest supermodel. She was discovered when she was just 21 years old in 1949, when she won a local modelling competition and was signed to an agency in London. Daphne took a break from modelling to raise her three children with her husband in Hertfordshire, but was rediscovered by the agency Models 1 at age 70 after her husband passed away.
She has an extensive modelling experience, including working with fashion powerhouses such as Gucci and Prada. Daphne has written and published a book telling the tales of her modelling adventures and has founded her own foundation—The Daphne Selfe Foundation—which collaborates with different charities and humanitarian organisations.
She says that the secret to maintaining glowing skin as you grow older is eating right, exercising, and lots of fresh air—and, of course, removing makeup before bed!
8. Jacky O’Shaughnessy
Jacky O’Shaughnessy was discovered In Greenwich Village in New York and started modelling lingerie for American Apparel quickly after. She was included in advertisem*nts in The Gentlewoman in 2012 and has since been featured in Vogue Italia and Fashionista and has been photographed in campaigns for Diesel. Jacky has walked the runway at the TOME show in New York and is regularly casted by Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin.
She also boasts an impressive acting résumé, having made appearances in films and television shows such as the Addams Family trailer, Ned & Stacey, Growing Pains, and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.
Age: 66
Instagram: @jackyoshaughnessy
Image Source: pinterest.com
7. Marie-Sophie Wilson
Marie-Sophie Wilson has been walking runways since the 1990s, appearing under labels such as Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, and Azzedine Alaia. Most recently, she walked the Simone Rocha runway in the label’s A/W17 show in London. She has been photographed by Peter Lindbergh and Mario Testino and has a famously laid-back and androgynous style and a punk attitude.
Marie-Sophie lives in the French countryside with her children and is currently producing a documentary on musician John Cohen.
Age: 54
Instagram: @fruitbat2000
Image Source: pinterest.com
6. Benedetta Barzini
In 6th place on our list of top 10 models over 40 is Benedetta Barzini. Benedetta was discovered in 1963 when she was just 20 years old by Diana Vreeland of Vogue U.S. Benedetta was flown to New York and was shot by Irving Penn, which kickstarted her modelling career. She has graced the cover of Vogue Italia on more than one occasion and, more recently, walked the runway in the Simone Rocha A/W17 show. Benedetta is known for her air of detachment and her general disinterest in fashion and beauty.
She has been known to speak openly about her struggles with anorexia, her turbulent family and home life, and raising her children as a single mother. Along with modelling, she now teaches a feminism class at the University of Milan and is a member of Unione Donne Italiane, or The Italian Women Union.
Age: 73
Image Source: pinterest.com
5. Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell became a household name in the 90s as one of the biggest supermodels of the decade. While her primary focus nowadays is on philanthropic endeavours and working as a contributing editor of British Vogue, Naomi shows that models over 40 are still a force to be reckoned with in the modelling world. She appeared on the runway at the Versace Spring 2018 show in a stunning, slinky gold dress, proving that true beauty never ages.
Image Source: allure.com
4. Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson was born and raised in Australia, but her modelling career kicked off after she was discovered while on a skiing trip in Colorado. She has modelled lingerie for Victoria’s Secret, popped up on pages of Playboy, and has appeared in many TV commercials and ads. Her biggest claim to fame, though, was when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, which catapulted her to supermodel status.
Nowadays she owns and runs her own business—a lingerie line—but still makes time to appear in various advertisem*nts, landing her the #4 spot on our list of top 10 models over 40.
Image Source: twitter.com
3. Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer is another name that has been huge in the modelling industry since the 90s. She’s had—and continues to have—a very impressive career, starring in campaigns for Guess and Valentino and Chanel. She has also appeared on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Time, and countless others. Claudia still models for Aquazurra and has her own line of sheer tights, which she models herself. She has recently been featured on the cover of ICON Magazine and walked the runway alongside Naomi Campbell in the Versace Spring 2018 show.
Claudia also has a strong interest in philanthropy; she is an ambassador for UK Goodwill, a spokesperson for Make Poverty History, and is heavily involved in UNICEF projects.
Image Source: pinterest.com
2. Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford was one of the most famous models of the 1980s and 90s. Publications such as Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Allure have seen Cindy on the cover. She has walked in runway shows for Dior, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana and has been a part of advertising campaigns for Balmain, Hermes, Guess, Gap, Revlon, Oscar de la Renta, DKNY, and Valentino. She walked alongside Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell in the Versace Spring 2018 show.
Nowadays, Cindy has two children, Presley and Kaia Gerber, who both model. She owns several of her own businesses, including a homewares and furniture line and a line of beauty and skin products. Her key to looking so good at her age? Taking care of her skin, avoiding the sun, drinking lots of water, not smoking, and getting plenty of sleep.
Image Source: famousboard.com
1. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is most famous for her role as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, but her modelling career began much earlier when she was just 15 years old. She walked in a whopping 25 shows during her first Paris Fashion Week in 1991. She has broken down tons of barriers throughout her career, being the first woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the first African American woman on the cover of GQ. Her modelling résumé is massive, including Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria’s Secret, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, and many more. She has appeared in music videos alongside artists such as Lionel Richie, George Michael, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. But it doesn’t stop there: Tyra has been featured in tons of TV shows and movies such as Gossip Girl, Blackish, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tropic Thunder, and Love & Basketball.
Recently she has modelled for Paper Magazine, has published a book, and still judges on America’s Next Top Model, proving that models over 40 really can do it all.
Image Source: Getty Images
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As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the modeling industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the transformative landscape of diversity within the fashion world. I have closely followed the evolution of modeling standards, witnessing the paradigm shift that has propelled inclusivity to the forefront of the industry's agenda.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article, focusing on the top models over 40 who are challenging age-related stereotypes:
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Nicola Griffin (Age: 56):
- Discovered in 2013 by White Hot Hair company.
- Featured in SLiNK, Swimsexy campaign, Kinetik Beauty ads, and for plus-size designer Anna Scholz.
- Oldest model on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
- Active on social media platforms.
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Daphne Selfe (Age: 89):
- Discovered in 1949, won a local modeling competition at 21.
- Extensive experience, worked with Gucci and Prada.
- Founded The Daphne Selfe Foundation supporting charities.
- Advocates for healthy living and skincare.
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Jacky O’Shaughnessy (Age: 66):
- Discovered in Greenwich Village, New York.
- Modeled for American Apparel, The Gentlewoman, Vogue Italia, and Fashionista.
- Walked the runway at the TOME show in New York.
- Active in acting with appearances in films and TV shows.
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Marie-Sophie Wilson (Age: 54):
- Walked runways since the 1990s for labels like Marc Jacobs and John Galliano.
- Laid-back and androgynous style with a punk attitude.
- Producing a documentary on musician John Cohen.
-
Benedetta Barzini (Age: 73):
- Discovered in 1963 by Diana Vreeland of Vogue U.S.
- Graced the cover of Vogue Italia multiple times.
- Openly speaks about struggles, teaches feminism at the University of Milan.
-
Naomi Campbell (Age: 48):
- Supermodel of the 90s.
- Philanthropic endeavors, contributing editor of British Vogue.
- Walked the runway at the Versace Spring 2018 show.
-
Elle Macpherson (Age: 54):
- Discovered while on a skiing trip in Colorado.
- Supermodel status after gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated.
- Owns a lingerie line, involved in various advertisem*nts.
-
Claudia Schiffer (Age: 47):
- Supermodel since the 90s, campaigns for Guess and Valentino.
- Ambassador for UK Goodwill, spokesperson for Make Poverty History.
- Featured on the cover of ICON Magazine, walked the runway in Versace Spring 2018 show.
-
Cindy Crawford (Age: 52):
- Famous model of the 1980s and 90s.
- Walked in runway shows for top designers.
- Owns businesses, including a homewares and furniture line.
- Emphasizes skincare, avoiding the sun, healthy habits for maintaining looks.
-
Tyra Banks (Age: 44):
- Model since the age of 15, walked in numerous shows.
- Broke down barriers, first woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Involved in TV shows, movies, modeling for Paper Magazine, and judging on America's Next Top Model.
The presented models not only defy age-related norms but also contribute to the industry's evolving definition of beauty and success. Their stories highlight the ongoing transformation toward a more inclusive and representative modeling landscape.
