I think often about aging. I probably fear it a little. Modeling forces you to think about the way you look every day, for better or for worse, and none of us are getting any younger. Looks do not always fade, sometimes they just change, evolve effortlessly and graciously. When I picture a woman who has aged well, the image involves wrinkled but still soft and luminous skin (think present-day Diane Keaton), and a classic, simple style of dress. Perhaps most importantly though, I think of a beautiful mind. Intelligent, thoughtful, retaining a lust for life and for absorbing new information. Through modeling I have almost become more conscious of retaining my intellectual beauty. I always want for people to understand (and for myself to remember) that I am more than a face, and the older I get the further I will gravitate away from our culture's traditional standard of physical beauty.
I was lucky enough to meet with a family friend over the weekend to see her husband's art in a gallery and to have lunch. The Honorable Kate Toomey (yep, she's a judge) is the epitome of a woman who has aged gracefully. She radiates physical beauty and positive energy, and is intelligent and interested in the people and things around her. She was kind enough to let me snap a few photos of her on Saturday.
Look at how adorable she is. Do you see what I mean about radiating positive vibes? I mean, look at that smile. Aging well physically has a lot to do with classic style to me, it's easy to seem either dated or like you're trying too hard to be trendy and look younger. Neither look good. Kate is proof that at no matter what age, you can never go wrong with black, white, and leather.
Also, let's take a good, long minute to appreciate these shoes. You can never ever ever ever ever go wrong with menswear inspired anything. Ever. These shoes are my favorite part of the outfit. It's all in the details. These oxfords are by a brand called Gravati, and can be found here.
Thank you Kate for your awesome company on Saturday, for letting me take these photos, for being genuinely interested in my life since I was 12, and for being the perfect example of what we all should strive for in our search for inner and outer beauty.
xo
-Hadley
