\nWhat is it that makes \u201cgrowing older\u201d seem like a four-letter word in our American society? We worship beauty and youth as though sooner or later, someone will find a way to keep it. Unless mind transplants or full body replacement surgery becomes possible, we all grow old. Some were better than others but we still age. The inescapable should not be looked at as a horrible and ugly punishment of living life large and showing that wear and tear as trophies of that life. Like the old song of Elton John\u2019s,\u201d I\u2019m Still Standing\u201d! In fashion, age is mostly considered the death toll of a career. You are starting to see exception with older models being used but the one thing they all have in common is they are remarkably beautiful\u2026not just beautiful but over the top gorgeous! So, it\u2019s as though they make an allowance that they have wrinkles\u2026but still are skinny as hell! Now the ugly part comes in. It seems aging is also equated with being butt ugly too.
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Zara recently introduced its new Timeless clothing collection with ads featuring models over 40. (What does that mean?…over 41 or 42?) People were elated to see aging models included in the collection in the notoriously narrow world of fashion, but the positive messaging about aging was sadly overshadowed. That\u2019s because Zara\u2019s campaign confusingly highlights a statement that links growing older with getting \u201cugly.\u201d Bad move!
\nThe fast fashion retailer\u2019s new line is fronted by models Kristina de Connick, 53, Malgosia Bela, 40 and Yasmin Warsam, 41, according to Pret-A-Porter. On both Instagram and Zara\u2019s website, the three women give personal testimonials about various subjects, including aging.
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\nIn one testimonial, Bela delves into the subject of getting older, but uses some cringe-worthy language even as she says she likes the older version of herself. \u201cI prefer myself so much better now than 10 years ago or 20 years ago. Obviously, it would be nice not to get old and ugly, but the mental process is only for the better,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s a paradox: more confidence and you are getting old. But it\u2019s… I kind of like it.\u201d
\nThe company highlighted her statement in a pull quote on its website, next to her photo. Linking \u201cold\u201d to \u201cugly\u201d only reinforces gender stereotypes about aging women and Zara\u2019s unfortunate choice flies in the face of the fashion industry\u2019s healthy progress. Models over 50 were represented more than ever during this Fashion Week. Allure magazine was praised for banning the term \u201canti-aging\u201d in an effort to help embrace growing older as an opportunity and a blessing, rather than an undesirable horror that saps a woman\u2019s beauty and worth. Sadly, such missteps are becoming routine for the Spanish brand. Back in March, Zara used thin models for a \u201clove your curves\u201d ad. Really?<\/p>\n
Youth and beauty will always be worshipped as it is an all too fleeting moment in a long life. And when we are young, we don\u2019t notice it until after its gone. As the old saying goes, \u201cYouth is totally wasted on the young.\u201d Lol!\n<\/p>\n
Temperance:<\/b>
\nHarmony and balance of a situation. There is a happy medium to the aging process but it must start with how aging was once respected and honored. Until that is restored, aging will be the big bad wolf at the door.\n<\/p>\n
\nKnight of Pentacles:<\/b> Inverted (Upside Down)
\nSolid honest male energy with integrity but can also be stubborn. Since the fashion business is showcased by women but financed by men, the financial bottom line is whatever is hot at the moment and sells their line. Point for Zara, they are trying.\n<\/p>\n
Two of Swords:<\/b> Inverted
\nStalemate and unable to make a decision. Since inverted, I feel it represents that aging will always be seen as something we would all like to avoid but we could become much more accepting of what older beauty really is as we become used to seeing it visually represented in a beautiful way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Designer Line \u201c Zara \u201d Used Models Over 40 For Ad Campaign And Totally Missed The Point What is it that makes \u201cgrowing older\u201d seem like a four-letter word in our American society? We worship beauty and youth as though sooner or later, someone will find a way to keep it. Unless mind transplants or<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":7303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1562],"tags":[1392,1391],"class_list":{"0":"post-7305","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world-news","8":"tag-timeless","9":"tag-zara"},"yoast_head":"\n