Mature Ladies Shattering Fashion Industry Glass Ceiling

For as long as the fashion industry has been around, youthful models have dominated the runaway and fashion magazines. As of late, the industry is being turned around as the baby boomers have grown up, mature women are seen on the runways, in print, and all over social media. Instagram has countless women over 50 who are blogging and modeling with large followings and their base is growing every day. These ladies are a source of inspiration for baby-boomers who are not yet ready to trade in their sexy stiletto heels.

Below we spotlight just a few of these mature fashionable ladies – also known as fashionistas - that are blazing a trail in this previously off-limits industry.

Maye Musk @mayemusk

At seventy-one years old, Maye Musk has had a modeling career that has spanned over 50 years. At the age of 15, she started a career in fashion modeling with ads for cosmetic brands and companies like Colgate. In 1969 she finished as a finalist in the Miss South Africa competition, and in 2017 Musk became CoverGirl’s oldest spokes model.  She is multi-dimensional, not only modeling, but also serving as a nutritionist, published author, and speaker.

When asked how she is feeling, she responded, “Not only am I feeling fine about getting older, I’m having the best year of my life. I pounded the pavement for 50 years, so perhaps I deserve it.”

Her signature hashtag is #ItsGreatToBe70. And in case you’re wondering, yes, billionaire Elon Musk is her son.

Carmen Del'Orefice

At eighty-six, and still a striking beauty, Carmen Dell’Orefice is the oldest working model in US history. She was discovered at the age of 13 in New York City and has graced the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other couture fashion publications throughout her vast career. Most recently, Carmen has shot campaigns for Sephora and H&M and closed an haute couture show for Guo Pei. She is also the subject of an upcoming documentary titled, “Carmen Dell’Orefice - The Legend Down the Hall.”

Carmen is certainly an inspiration for mature ladies everywhere!

Zaklina Berrido Pisano @realfashionist

If ever there was an award handed out for Fashionista of the Year, Zaklina Berrido Pisano would most certainly make the finals. With an Instagram feed closing in on 500k, Zakilna treats her followers to stunning pictures of her wearing haute couture fashion and traveling world-wide; to glamorous places like Rome, Dubai, New York, and Istanbul. She recently turned 50 and embraces all of her life experiences. She often reminds her followers that even though her life may seem all perfect and glamorous, she has had heartbreaks in life such as losing her only son in a car accident several years ago. She is a proud grandmother and has adorable pictures of herself with her two grand-daughters on her feed.

Her signature hashtag is #grandmotherthatlovesfashion.

Lyn Slater @iconaccidental

 With close to 600k followers on Instagram, 63-year old Lyn Slater is certainly in the “rock star” category on Instagram. Lyn’s day-job is university professor. Her new-found fame and passion as an Instagram model/blogger was accidental as a paparazzi mistook her for a celebrity. As you scroll through her feed, you will see her stylishly dressed in casual streetstyle all the way to Hamptons “chic.” 

One interesting thing about Lyn is she is always rocking sunglasses in her photographs. Hopefully soon she’ll be sporting EyeDope!

Angelique Miles @angeliquemiles

Let’s give a standing ovation to Angelique Miles for her age-defying lifestyle! Previously a record industry veteran, she is now a fitness influencer. At fifty-two, she has a body women half her age dream of having. She has 40k Instagram followers and growing. Her feed is filled with pictures of her in bikinis and fitness attire. There is even an image of her with Carrie Underwood.

Her Instagram tagline is, “Sweat, beauty, lifestyle.”

These five ladies aren’t even the tip of the iceberg. There are countless ladies online and offline making the most of their lives over 50. Congrats to all of them for setting a positive example and proving that age is truly just a number!

 [author name="Carlyne Rachele" bio="Caribbean Travel Writer and frequent EyeDope Blogger" image="cr1.jpg" ]