telophase | (no subject)

I'm browsing through

foto_decadent and find pics from what has to be one of the most awesome fashion spreads ever, which is an over-the-top spread of exceptionally pink and fluffy clothing using elderly women as the models.

The comments start out reflecting more-or-less what I think, which is: it's wonderful they're not using "perfect" models; it's wonderful they're using older women*; you can see how much fun they're having on the set vamping and parodying both fashion and stereotypes of elderly women.

And then ... you start getting commenters who think the models are being exploited. Apparently once you age past A Certain Point, you're supposed to lose your sense of humor. I especially like the one who's positive the models could have no idea that we weren't taking them seriously, like younger models. Bzuh? NEWSFLASH: AGING DOES NOT MEAN GETTING STUPID. You really think the models didn't look in mirrors? Didn't talk to the people organizing the photo shoot about what the concept of the shoot was supposed to be? Didn't get to look at some of the shots as they were taken?** Didn't get tear sheets for their portfolios?

GAH. The stupid is strong in lots of people.

* In the fashion industry, defined as "over 25."

** It's mostly digital these days, so you know what the shots look like almost instantly.

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I clicked through to the spread before I read your comments and had the same reaction! I think the ladies are glorious and I bet they had an absolute blast. The one thought I did have is that these women have some serious years on them. My mom is 84 and the models seem to have at least ten years on her. How cool would it to be in a fashion shoot at 95!

Yes! And I love the concept: these grande dames are wearing the clothes and makeup that they would be if they were 25 right now, and the way that underscores that the point of fashion is to have fun, not to get uptight about it.

ETA: And how it's inverting the usual trope of young women being dressed and photographed in styles reminiscent of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents' time. (I've just looked through a bunch of shoots of 1980s style, 1970s, 1950s, and 1920s.)

Ooh, love the idea of the vintage trope turned around. Fun!

The pink is very flattering on them! I imagine I should keep that in mind for the future ... .

> takes notes <

My mother once told me I would mature into the sort of woman who could wear hats.

I look forward to being Bella Abzug. XD

I look forward to riding public transportation and sitting next to grumpy teens, "You look JUST like my grandaughter!", I'll lie. XDDDd

It's obvious those women were having a /blast/. You can see it... despite the overdone make up, they were very vibrant with expression... the redhead was my favorite. She just had this vibe that spoke to me that she was a very dignified woman in her youth, and she' capturing that by going 'See? I can still have fun.'

These are beautiful. I love the smiles and just-barely-not-there smiles in the pictures! It's impossible to think these women were exploited, and demeaning to them to suggest so. Their perfect, alert expressions suggest just the right touch of mischief - they knew EXACTLY what they were doing, and proud of the opportunity to poke a little fun at fashion.

I especially love the one with all the ruffles puffed up around the woman's face, the hat, and the big doe eyes.

That was awesome.

First, the photos are wonderful, and hilarious, and gave me hope for my (rapidly approaching) old age. Especially the lady with the Chanel bag. The clothes - not so much...

Second, some of the commentators talked about old people as if they were like tiny babies or animals, as if they had no minds, humor or agency of their own, and were poor helpless things being cruelly exploited. It occurred to me that a lot of these women looked like the sort of rich old bat who might actually be able to afford these clothes in real life, rather than the skinny impoverished looking waifs you usually see in them. Do these posters think that old people automatically lose all intelligence and humour as they get old? Idiots.

Oh, how fun!

As I was looking through the pictures, I was wondering who was going to pop up and comment "OH THOSE POOR GRANNIES!!" I guess I could smell the st00pid coming.

I love that grace is still apparent in some of those old gals and that they still have the spirit to do something like this.

I want to be like them when I grow up!

People are so dumb it hurts.

I love the photo shoot--those great ladies having a fantastic time.

Hee! I remember thinking, when that was posted, that I wouldn't stick around to read the comments. XD

You made a wise choice, Grasshopper.