I love women. Diana Adams, from Bit Rebels is one of those women. I met her on-line and came to know her as funny, supportive, talented and bright. She works tirelessly to help the homeless in Atlanta, GA, USA, where she lives. (How can you not love her for that alone?) She also writes a “mean” article. And it’s one of those articles, World’s Oldest Successful Supermodel At Age 82 that I’ve posted and linked to . It’s a splendid follow-up to Tuesday’s How Old Is Too Old To Wear A Bikini? Uggs?
Here’s Diana’s amazing story about Daphne Selfe and the importance of breaking stereotypes on beauty and aging.
World’s Oldest Successful Supermodel At Age 82
As a woman, I know firsthand what it’s like to feel pressured by society to look a certain way in order to be considered beautiful. The interesting thing to me is that as teenage girls, we actually believe that our beauty is wrapped up in how we look. As adults, we know better. We know that beauty comes from within; however, the fascinating part about it is that even though we know that, we many times don’t feel comfortable in our own skin unless we conform to society’s image of beauty anyway. [emphasis added]
For me personally, I weigh the same thing now as I did in high school, but it took a year of practically starving myself to get there. Was it worth it? Some days the answer is yes and some days the answer is no. It depends on how hungry I am in that moment. Aside from weight, many of us struggle with aging. We do everything we can to maintain our youth because we live in a youth-obsessed society.
I love it when I can write an article that helps to break down the stereotypes and ridiculous standards that society tries to attach to us. I remember how good it felt to write Curvy Women Are Beautiful because you know what? They are. I wanted to make sure everyone knew it. Today it’s all about aging and supermodels. When we think of supermodels, the words that come mind are young, skinny, and pretty, right? It’s that supermodel image that drives teenage girls to develop eating disorders and self-esteem problems.
I’d like you to meet Daphne Selfe. She is an 82-year-old supermodel with an impressive portfolio and client list. While she’s been in her ’80s, she’s modeled for Dolce & Gabbana, Olay, Nivea, Tata-Naka, Michiko Koshino, Gap, Wunderkind, Red or Dead and more. She’s appeared in Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar, Italian Vanity Fair, Tatler, The Observer, The Times and countless other fashion magazines.
Daphne modeled when she was young, but then took several decades off to rear her three children. She didn’t get back into modeling again until she was in her ’70s. She credits good genes and luck for her sought after looks, although she does make a point to exercise everyday by doing yoga, pilates and gardening, She says she’s never had plastic surgery and doesn’t intend to. Her grace, elegance and charm shine through in her photographs, along with her long gray hair. When asked what her favorite item in her wardrobe is, she answered that it’s a mauve cardigan she bought in 1971. What a beautiful story about a special lady. Suddenly growing gracefully growing old doesn’t seem that bad, does it? Screw what society says. Let’s just be ourselves and smile!
Thanks to Diana and Bit Rebels for allowing me to share this article.
Diana Adams and the crew at Bit Rebels write articles on a variety of topics – all interesting. They are a Geek, Technology, Design and Social Media News Guide. As their founder Richard Darell wrote “Our articles are meant to give you that second perspective on any given topic, that perspective that you might have missed if not for the Rebels sites.” You can find them at http://bitrebels.com and can follow Diana on Twitter @adamsconsulting
I would love to get to know you! Join me on 
What an inspiring woman! There are more women out there like this than you would believe.
I met a woman named Donna Lancaster. She was born in 1932 with a congenital birth defect that left her without knees, lower legs or hip joints. Weighing less than four pounds at birth, doctors said she would never be able to walk. But at 11 months, Donna did walk, proof of a strong character that would go a long way in helping her get through the obstacles to come.
She spent 30 years of her life walking on wooden stilts and eventually went back to walking without them to show the world the “real” her.
She continues to accomplish many goals in her life including: becoming a pilot, a medical technician, and an inspirational speaker for groups such as Al-Anon.
You can read more about her at http://www.donnalancaster.net
Peace to all,
Danielle
Wow Danielle. Thanks for sharing Donna’s story. It’s another example of how we shouldn’t listen to doctors prognosis (they can’t predict the future) and other naysayers or their words can become a self-fullfilling prophecy. What Donna did and does is so impressive and she probably just thinks it was a natural part of who she is, which is also true.
Hope to hear from you again in the future. Cherry
Great article! What a beauty Daphne is! Still a knock-out at 82! She does yoga & pilates and gardening all of which will keep one in great shape, inspire, and keep that youthful glow gowing! That’s why I’m love all those activities. Daphne is the age my mother would have been. I am aiming for Daphne status in my 80′s! I just had dinner with my 84 year old great aunt (by marriage, but still a GREAT aunt!). SHE took ME out. She is super active and has a LOT of spunk. I call her the bionic woman because she has had hip replacements, mastectomies, more stints in her aortic valve than a porcupine, and I don’t know what else, and just keeps on going! She also does volunteer work and sits on several boards. She is a mother, was a housewife and homemaker, a bookkeeper for the school board as her vocation, has helped many, many people, including myself (during cancer treatments) over the years. She’s British by birth (a war bride), American by choice. Her name is Joyce Sklarew and she lives in Davie (Ft. Lauderdale), FL. Joyce and Daphne are the kind of women that make this country strong and inspire us all! (Oh, yes, Joyce is a knock-out, too. Beeeyoootiful thick, white hair. Audrey Hepburn look-alike.)
Thanks for stopping by Jeannie. Daphne and Joyce are both inspirations, as you mentioned. Let’s exchange pics of ourselves when we skip into our 82nd year. Cherry
Wow…great story and very inspiring. Just gives me alot to think about, thinking about inner beauty and accomplishments as a person. hmm, she certainly embodies the idea that generativity can still be happening psyhologically in older age. We can define ourselves and not give in/up to helplessness and fear.
“I second that emotion,” Kathy.
Cherry,
Thank you so much for mentioning me and posting this article. I’m truly honored, and I think the comments on here are better than the article itself. You are such a shining star in the Twitterverse, and I’m blessed to know you!
Diana Adams
Ahhh… You helped make my day Diana. Hugs, Cherry
Beautiful story and so inspiring. It shows in the pictures that Daphne did not give up. She shines and she is beautiful. I hardly noticed the other people in the photo.
Thanks Cherry, great reminder!
Good point Irene, I didn’t notice the other people either. Glad you mentioned that.
Her face looks familiar from the D&G ads! It’s interesting to read you admit to practically starving yourself to get back to highschool weight. I find as my body changes and I get older, that the same weight on me at 18 is definitely NOT the same weight at 28, even if the number on the scale is the same. I’m “practically starving” myself at the moment too, and eat one meal a day plus snacks… Or just snacks.
Really amazing story! When most women in the entertainment industry get turned down and find it harder to get roles, gigs as they age.. And she does this all without surgery! This is the true meaning of aging gracefully. I love it.
Janet,
Thanks for your comment. I have an average set point of weight, and how that weight sits on my body now is different than when I was 28, so I agree with you completely.
Are you starving yourself for weight or because of what you wrote in your blog post about $ and the hobo life? Curious.
Looking forward to more interactions with you, Cherry
haha kind of a little of both. Not having as much money to spend on the extravagant way I used to eat out a lot really helps with the weight loss/gym goals eh ;) I’m a huge foodie but at the same time, I also can eat like a bird and have gone through different phases with food throughout my life..
They can teach you alot, and it seems so many of us have an 80+ yr. old woman friend who nearly parallels Daphne, albeit w/o the modeling credentials. Marie is my Daphne, and she is an amazing 83 in every way. A former nurse, I still call Marie to consult on medical questions. She’s sharp as a tack and goes right into her nurse mode. I met Marie almost 15 years ago and consider her one of my closest and dearest friends. We volunteered together, we laugh together, and totally enjoy each others company. I never consider her old and she is beautiful.
A fabulous and encouraging story about a topic so many endlessly lament–Aging and wisdom are an important part of our inner and outer beauty–We should definitely embrace both. Thanks for sharing this, Cherry.
You’re fortunate to have a fun and inspirational friend in Marie. Thanks for sharing that story, Pam.