You’re Only As Old As You Feel
It’s a sad fact of life that elderly people are often stereotyped as being unattractive, boring, lonely and ‘past it’. But that negative and misguided perception was challenged recently when an 85-year old pensioner, living in a care home in Surrey, was ‘spotted’ by a top fashion photographer – and it was revealed that she had been a catwalk and print model for Yves Saint Laurent.
Lesley MacLennan, now 85, made her name in her twenties in Paris, but over sixty years later she is now in a care home and is rarely asked about her modelling career. That all changed when Vogue photographer, James Muller, visiting another resident, was struck by Lesley’s inherent beauty and her ‘striking hands’. Lesley, who suffers from dementia, told him all about her career and he was inspired to create a photoshoot at the care home itself.
James has said that he hopes the beautiful photos will be a challenge to ageism: ‘Age to me is just a number,’ he said. ‘During our shoot, Lesley was ‘that’ model again. Age made no difference. I’m sure she has worked with many a top photographer so for me to get the opportunity at her age is simply incredible. ‘I think there aren’t enough older models out there in the media. In many ways, social media etc. is telling us that it’s wrong to age, but it’s such a natural thing. ‘There is so much beauty in ageing too – we’ve just been taught to look at it the wrong way.
And if the catwalk has always appealed to you, it seems it’s never too late to start! “Less of the ‘old’ please, I’m still a teenager inside!” says Daphne Selfe, who claims to be the world’s oldest professional fashion model. Born in 1928, she has been modelling since 1949 and now in her nineties, she says: “I am busier than ever and loving life – campaigns all over the world keep coming!” Her ambition is to inspire people of all ages and stages of life, to embrace new opportunities – and says she believes “life just gets better and better!”
Many people fall into the trap of perceiving care home residents as faceless old people – but we should never forget that the elderly have had wonderfully rich, productive and interesting lives as doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers, scientists, parents, actors – even models! And just like everyone else, many of them go on to enjoy a wonderful – and interesting life in a care home!
Other articles you may like
- Slow cooked beef casserole
We love Nicky Corbishley’s take on a lighter version of this classic British dish. It’s become a staple over the summer and our resident’s have enjoyed the fresh variation, which makes use of crisp vegetables and couscous. - Why routine matters later in life
As we grow older, familiarity often becomes increasingly important. Small daily routines – whether it’s enjoying a morning cup of tea, reading the newspaper after breakfast, tending to the garden, or listening to a favourite song before bed – can provide comfort, confidence, and a reassuring sense of normality. - Kentish Treacle and Lemon Tart
Chef John always creates the most delicious desserts, and he hasn’t missed with this one either. The mouth-watering Kentish lemon tart has not disappointed and is super easy to make. We have taken inspiration from BBC Good Food. - How can we protect our residents in the sun?
A few years ago, we’d be lucky to see a summer that would hit mid-twenty degrees. July would usually fall between 19°C to 23°C, and whilst it would be hot, it was nowhere near the mid-thirties! - Chicken Caesar Salad
Chef John’s salads are always a hit, so here’s another variation on a timeless classic. Chicken caesar salad uses little ingredients to create maximum flavour, and the dish is easily customisable to whatever you fancy. We’ve taken inspo from BBC Good Food for this one. You can also boost this dish with extra veg, like cucumber, carrot, radishes and tomatoes. In this heat, veg with high water content (such as lettuce) is also great for staying hydrated. - What are the different roles in a care home?
At Birchwood, everyone plays their part. We take so much pride and care in the work that we do, and knowing we can make a difference in our residents’ lives makes all the difference. We genuinely care about our residents, and the connections we make is what makes us so special. We make sure every resident can enjoy their time here, and feel cared for every day with loving, qualified staff. And because our team is nothing short of exceptional, we thought it’s time to introduce everyone! Here, we want to spotlight all the different roles in our care home, and just how each person supports our residents’ wellbeing. - How can we support adults with neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is increasingly talked about in care, especially when it comes to meeting emotional needs. And whilst it’s so good to see this happening, sometimes older adults are left out of the conversation. Focus tends to be on children, particularly for school support and early diagnosis. - Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlée
The Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlé offers a sumptuous take on a timeless dessert, balancing comfort with sophistication. Hidden beneath its signature, shimmering caramel crust is a silky custard, enriched with the warm, floral sweetness of golden honey. - Prawn and chorizo pasta
This prawn and chorizo pasta offers a perfect mix of sweet and smoky flavour. The prawn brings a lighter, more delicate touch, whilst the chorizo gives the dish a richness. Plus, the fat from the chorizo is great for creating the sauce base! This one is from BBC Food and it’s super easy to prep and make, mixing lots of flavours in a way that feels warm and comfortable. Perfect for spring!
