Hat Parade

The Advanced Style Ladies are known for wearing bold accessories and wonderful hats. I think the pictures above are proof enough that hats are having their day in the sun. Which are your favorites?

Lauderhill, FL

Tziporah Salamon Signed By Models 1

 

I am excited to report that our dear friend Tziporah Salamon just signed with Europe's leading modeling agency, Models 1. Tziporah happened to be in London during my panel discussion at The Royal Academy of Arts where she delivered the wonderful news. This has been a dream of Tziporah's for many years, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for her. Check out Tziporah's portfolio on the Models 1 website HERE.

Portraying Life at The Royal Academy of Arts

Daphne Selfe in a suit from Old Ladies Rebellion

This past weekend, I joined 83-year-old model Daphne Selfe, designer Fanny Karst, and Nigel Hartley from St. Christopher's Hospice for a panel discussion at The Royal Academy of Arts in London. We had a very special conversation about the interplay between aging, illness, and physical appearance. Audience members joined in for a lively conversation reinforcing how creativity can positively influence one's mood and outlook. I was especially struck by a point made by Mr. Hartley that we must find ways to engage with communities of seniors who are often overlooked and not as vibrant as the men and women that I tend to photograph. My goal has always been to make older people as a whole more visible and valued in our society, so this topic is one that I hope to continue to address more completely in the future.

Welcome to Sue Kreitzman's Wild and Wonderfully Colorful World(VIDEO)

As promised here is a small video tour and some photos of Sue Kreitzman's amazing home in London. For more on Sue and her incredible art work CLICK HERE. Please excuse the quality of the video, when I am on the go, I only have my little Flip camera with me.

An Artful Life

Sue Kreitzman in a coat by Lauren Shanley

 Sue Kreitzman lives a life devoted to art and color from the clothes that she wears to the paintings and sculptures that she makes and collects. Stay tuned for a peak into her amazingly inventive technicolor world.

Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg

Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg in an original coat by Pierre Balmain

While in Stockholm, I had the honor of meeting and presenting Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg with an award, celebrating a lifetime of style, from M-Magasin. After the award ceremony Countess Marianne asked if Joyce and I would like to join her for a coffee at her home in Stockholm. Joyce and I were thrilled to receive this wonderful invitation and we joined Countess Marianne at her home the next day. 

The Countess told me that she has loved fashion ever since she was a child. She explained that style is something that she feels one is born with and that, " A thing of beauty is a joy forever."(Keats) Now 88 years-old, she has acquired an incredible collection of couture items from friends like Pierre Balmain. Countess Marianne is in the process of lending some pieces from her collection, spanning over 50 years of couture, to a local museum, to be exhibited later this year. Joyce and will always remember our time in Stockholm and we can't wait to return to catch Countess Marianne's upcoming show.

How To Live To 100

I met Lena  and Sybil during my visit to Forest Trace, and was instantly struck by their incredible energy. I was amazed to learn that they are both in their 100s and was curious to know what the  secret to their vitality was. Lena told me that in order to make it to 100 you have to be strong. She said" You have to be in love with life. Some people think that life may be coming to an end, but for me I am having so much fun. This is just the beginning." Sybil concurred and added, "Yes you have to have fun and never stop having fun."

Ingmari Lamy

I am finally in Seattle to celebrate a friend's wedding, after a few weeks of whirlwind travel. It's hard to explain how incredibly insightful and moving each of my trips has been. I am constantly meeting so many inspiring people, hearing their life stories, and it's difficult to process everything that is happening at the moment. On Tuesday I am off to London for a few days, and then back to New York for a few weeks, where I hope to write more in depth about these incredible experiences.

I met Ingmari Lamy in Stockholm and asked  her to share a few words about her experience as model  working in her 60s below.

When I came into modeling at the age of 19 and shortly after that did my first cover for Harpers Bazaar, I was a young woman loving nature and the world of fashion was art to me. Using make-up was great during the photo-shoot itself, the playfulness and the transforming possibilities. I loved it! Even so, I always took my make up off after work and was " a natural". That`s the way it was for me. Being in the world of fashion today, still modeling at the age of 65, I have kept these habits of staying natural. For my skin I use organic olive oil, that`s the way I like it. I want to inspire women, young and old, to know their true inner beauty and strength. I want them to know that their beauty is always there every moment. Always present. And then we can play with make-up and clothes! I love the way your women are colorful and expressing a true personality. Maybe when I get older I will be wearing make-up as well.

Gunilla Revisited

 I promised that I would share some more shots of Gunilla, so here we go...

A Delightful Encounter

I met this gorgeous woman at my book signing at Forest Trace  last week. She just moved to Florida  from New York where she worked in the fashion industry for years. She told me that she made her  headband especially for my event and apologized for her missing dentures. She had to have dental surgery and didn't want to let this stop her from coming to the event. I was incredibly moved by this wonderfully talented woman and couldn't wait to share her photo with you all.

Gunilla Ponten

Ever since my last trip to Stockholm, it has been my dream to photograph 83-year-old design legend Gunilla Ponten. Today my dream came true when Gunilla met me at my hotel armed with bags full of her wonderful accessories. Gunilla has so much energy and was even cooler than I could have ever imagined. I can't wait to share the rest of the shots next week.

Elsie

I met Elsie during my trip to Florida last week. She just moved to Forest Trace from Canada two months ago. She is absolutely gorgeous both inside and out.

By the way if you happen to be in Stockholm this week, Joyce and I will signing books.
Location: NK Bookstore in Stockholm.
Date: Tuesday, February 12.
Time: 17.00

SuSu

As part of my book presentation at Forest Trace, they put together a wonderful fashion show with some of their residents modeling dresses from Sondro Boutique. Joining the residents in the show was model Susu Smith. Susu has been modeling since the age of 16, and now in her 60s she looks better than ever !!!

Beverly, Forest Trace

I have spent the past three days presenting my work at Forest Trace senior living community in Lauderhill, Florida. This was my first visit to a retirement community, and I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived. After spending a few days with the residents, I discovered that it was an inspiring and vibrant community of active and vital seniors. Beverly, one of Forest Trace's best dressed residents, was born in New York and has been living in the community for over two years. I asked her what her style inspiration was, and she replied, "I love fashion. I have always loved fashion. You get up in the morning and you look in the mirror and you can't ignore what you see. Why not make the best out of what you've got and try to always look your best?"

Karen Walker X Advanced Style

I have been a long time fan of Karen Walker eye wear, so I was thrilled when she approached me to shoot her latest campaign with some of the Advanced Style ladies. I cast some of my favorite women and shot all the photos in their own homes. I am proud to present The Karen Walker Spring 2013 Forever Campaign starring Ilona Royce Smithkin, Joyce Carpati, Linda Rodin and Lynn Dell.

Linda Machado

I met Linda Machado at my book signing in Phoenix last month. Here is a beautiful email that she sent to me:

"Flamenco dance is a powerful, passionate, improvisational art form that allows me to explore my individuality, sharpen my creativity and keep in shape.  I started dancing when I was 40 and never stopped.  Flamenco dance is great for balance, coordination, bone density, muscle toning and cardio – things we need to be concerned with as aging women.  Plus the costumes are incredibly fun!

While I may be a bit “young” at 62, I consider myself an “Advanced Style Apprentice”, learning from those older than me and inspiring those my age and younger.  And with mentors such as the Advanced Style Women and heroes such as you, I am more excited about the next 40 years than I was when I was younger! "

February Book Signings

 I have quite a busy and exciting month ahead of me. Tomorrow I head to Florida for a book signing and presentation, and then I fly straight to Stockholm to do it all over again. If you happen to be in near Lauderhill, FL, Stockholm, or London during my February visits I would love to meet you there. The Advanced Style book is now on it's 5th printing since May, thanks to all of you!!! I have included my February schedule below, just in case...

February 6

Florida

Presentation and Book Signing at Forest Trace

Location 5500 NW 69^th Avenue Lauderhill, Flroida 33319

FREE and open to the public

RSVP required: 954-572-2100 ext.23

1:30 presentation

2:00 pm book signing

February 12

Stockholm

Book Signing at Nordiska Kompaniet

5:00-TBD

February 22

London

Location: The Royal Academy of Arts

Portarying Life: An Evening Lecture with Ari Seth Cohen, Fanny Karst, Daphne Selfe, and Nigel Hartley on how ageing can shift our presentation of self.

6:30-7:30 pm

Book online HERE http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/events/talks/portraying-life,2253,EV.html