Meet the “world’s oldest supermodel,” 86-year-old Daphne Selfe, whose modeling career literally spans seven decades.
Selfe began modeling in the 1950s and went on to pose for Dolce & Gabbana, Nivea, Olay and even Vogue after the age of 70. The woman is the poster child for aging gracefully, though, so you wont find her in the plastic surgeon’s chair.
“I’ve never had anything done to my face,” Selfe once told the Daily Mail. “Not that poison, not a face-lift. I think it’s a waste of money. Anyway, I couldn’t afford it!” (via HuffPo)
Check out some iconic pics of her below, theb read an interview with her about her beauty routine.
From NineMSN:
What’s your daily beauty routine?
I do the famous cleanse, tone and nourish routine. I use rosewater to tone and then I put on a moisturiser. I’m very fond of Nivea but I use whatever people give me – good old local chemist stuff. At night I put on some nourishing cream of some sort.
You must have tried a lot of different brands. Is there a difference between the luxury products and the high street buys?
The luxury ones might smell better! I don’t think it makes much difference though. I don’t spend a lot on my make-up and things.
What’s your exercise routine?
It depends on how much time I have. I do ballet and dance, and I do Pilates and yoga. I do a combination of all those things before I have my breakfast.
Have you ever considered doing anything drastic in the name of beauty?
No. I don’t believe in that. I believe you should just eat well and drink water. What you eat and drink is much more important. It shows on the outside. I can’t see the point of chemical peels and all those things. If you’re going to get old you’re going to get old, whatever. A smile is as good as a face lift, they say.
Your career trajectory is the opposite of most models’. Why do you think that is?
It’s really difficult to say, but I think I’m still a very curious person. I have a very good work ethic, I’m disciplined, I do what I’m told and I behave myself professionally. And yet, I’m adventurous as well. I’ll help people to do things. I was brought up in the war when you had to make do and mend. We had to be resourceful and optimistic. I think it helps if you can just get on with it.
Also, you can fall out of favour in fashion, and that’s okay. You just have to think, “well, it’s not my fault I was rejected. I’m just not what they want”.
Do you think there’s more space for older people in fashion these days?
I have quite a few friends modelling who are over 60. You don’t have to be what I call a “granny type”. You don’t have to frumpish or miss out on things. I think sometimes people start to make themselves invisible. They forget to take an interest in the world.
How would you describe your style?
I’ve always loved dressing up and wearing the latest clothes. My daughter calls it “classy funky”. I quite like long skirts. My feet are not my best feature these days, and I find it difficult to wear high heels, so if I can wear comfortable shoes under a long skirt, that sort of dictates the look.
Do you have a fashion or beauty regret?
In the ’80s I permed my hair. Everyone was doing perms and it didn’t really suit me.
I keep my hair long now because I like to wear it up. I don’t know why people cut their hair off when they get old, it’s a shame. I’d rather spend my money on going out somewhere than always having to visit the hairdresser.
Who is the most stylish wearer of glasses you know?
I have a friend who lives in London and she’s an artist. Her name is Sue Kreizman and she always looks amazing in her glasses.