Paulina Porizkova and the inevitable sell-by date for ageing women.
Did you know that all famous women have a sell-by date? As soon as a woman is visibly ageing, the media and journalists worldwide whip out their special “ageing woman” dictionary and start to use words that have never so much as been whispered in reference to her before.
Actually, all women have a sell-by date. Just that us mere mortals are only violently reminded of it every day by the media, in relation to other women. Famous women. Those women are reminded it about themselves. Ugh.
This sell-by date is a date where supermodels go from just plain “supermodel” to “former supermodel” and actresses go from being cast as the sexy girlfriend to the soccer mom who never has sex (because moms don’t have sex… you know that, right? Once we have borne the seed of a man, we are no longer useful as sensual beings, obviously – our pleasure is irrelevant, we were designed for good use).
You see, there’s a point in an actress’ career where she goes from only-good-for sex to no-longer belieably f**kable (as explained so eloquently in this skit by Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Patricia Arquette, if you haven’t seen this yet, you must).
Life, as an ageing woman, is a constant internal battle. Should I be using fillers? Is it lazy if I don’t? What do these dark spots mean? If I can afford to tighten my skin a bit, shouldn’t I? What about the people who can't? Is that grey hair? Another wrinkle!? Is my face sagging??? Why does JLo look so good? Why can’t people stop talking about it?
I’m tired of this narrative now.
Paulina Porizkova IS a supermodel. One of the greatest supermodels of all time, actually. She is the definition of beauty, grace, ambition and commitment to making things better. She’s a writer and an actress. She’s, all in all, a very impressive woman.
And, she’s doing a lot of work to improve the standards of beauty worldwide.
She uses her Instagram to spark conversation about the wildly unrealistic standards of beauty for women and ageing and addresses this dilemma that women have been battling for millennia; I. must. not. get. old.
How do you avoid the inevitable?
As women, we’re always left in the most impossible of circumstances. If you use botox, you’re vein, if you have wrinkles, it’s time to get out the knitting needles and sew up your vagina.
But, what if it’s ok to be both? Neither? All of it? Any of it?
What if we get to make, break, and change all of these ludicrous rules? What if aging IS sexy? What if experience, intelligence, a clear life focus and a sharp wit are the ULTIMATE definition of sexy?
Well, if you read any of Paulina’s Instagram content and see any of her photos, you might just agree.
She’s championing both sides of ageing. The botox with grace, and the letting nature take its course. She talks about working out and using laser, and grey hair, and wrinkles.
She recently wrote this caption about ageing and femininity:
“A woman of a certain age is often described as elegant. Stylish. Even handsome. Do you not notice something? All those descriptions are masculine. It’s like after a certain age- we lose our license to be women.”
Paulina Porizkova
And, isn’t it interesting? Masculinity and ageing are sexy. It’s normal to see them together. They’re the peas & carrots of a Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign. But, femininity is young. It’s soft. It’s supple and easy-to-lead.
Well, Paulina is here to change the story.
Paulina Porizkova
Or, at least, inspire us to think differently through owning her own process so openly and honestly. She says when she was considered in her “prime” is probably when she felt the worst about herself.
That there was always someone with better legs, a better smile, a better this or a better that. Living in a world where you are judged on simply what you look like, looking into the face of ageing can be a terrifying risk to your identity.
She follows up with, “dammit! I feel in my prime now!”
And, by all that is ripe, does she ever look it.
What if your prime is the time of your life when you feel best inside your own skin? When you’re so sure of who you are? When you know what you stand for? When your work really begins to make a notable difference and impact in the lives of others?
What if beauty IS experience? Proof of living? The YOUness that is your scars, and wrinkles, and grey hairs and dark spots?
If more people are growing older and healthier as generations go on, shouldn’t we be celebrating the heck out of it?
I don’t know about you… but I’m feeling 50 being the new 20.
Who’s with me?
WHATS UP NEXT…
