Friday, October 15, 2010

Aging Gracefully

Yesterday, I found these images on Style on a String's blog:

A number of weeks ago I read about some unauthorized, unretouched photos of Madonna being released on the internet.  Madonna is 52 years old.  Yet the final, official photograph makes you think she's still a teenager.  While some have touted Madonna as a strong, feminist role model as she is her own person, a savvy business woman, etc., however, I beg to differ.  Our society is sending a very bad message to teenagers and young women, that there is something wrong being who they are.  The woman in the second photo doesn't exist and never really did.  But thousands of women see photos like this one and think they're damaged because they actually look normal.  There are few true role models for what beautiful is.  Lauren Hutton is one.  

One of the first supermodels of the 1970s, she has aged gracefully.  This quote sums up her attitude about getting older:  "We have to be able to grow up. Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and who we want to be. I don't think I will ever cut my face, because once I cut it, I'll never know where I've been.” 

I'd like young women to have more role models like her.


7 comments:

Deanna said...

I totally agree with you. We need more public examples of graceful aging. I think Diane Keaton is doing it well.

Adrienne said...

I've seen untouched up photos of that woman and she looks like she's been "rode hard and put away wet."

The photoshopping that goes on today is ridiculous.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I completely agree with you. It is so hard when virtually every image you see has been doctored in some way. It is bad enough for mature people but sends a horrible message to young people who are still trying to determine who they are.

Fiona Ferris said...

Madonna is still quite young at 52 but I think she looks older, due to all her hard exercising, dieting and high-pressure life. The different between Madonna's two photos is shocking!

J'adore role models on how to age well like Lauren Hutton and Diane Keaton. One of my personal favourites in Andie McDowell (she's 52 as well, she seems younger than Madonna).

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

I think Isabella Rossellini is an amazing role models for aging, then again, she has some great genes.

LRS4AMANDA said...

It's funny that you did a post on this because I am becoming increasing aware of how many celebrities are having work done, it's so obvious. I will never get surgery (even botox) because (a) my husband won't let me and (b) I don't want to have that plastic look. People have always mistook me for looking 10 years younger but now that I am 52 I don't get those comments as often...guess I had better learn how to age gracefully!

Linda

Cherie said...

Ladies, I see you're all on the same page as me.

Deanna and Fiona, thanks for pointing out Diane Keaton as a mature woman who shows the world what a real woman looks like.

Adrienne, you're so funny! But you're right about how we've gone overboard with the way we use technology.

La Vie, we really do need to help young women know that it's okay to be real - and that it's what true beauty is.

Shona, yes, Isabella Rossellini is a great example - she's so beautiful just as she is.

Linda, I'm with you as to never having any "work" done. Besides being fake, it's down right dangerous. I read one celebrity's story (can't remember which one) who had permanent damage done to her facial muscles by having botox.