As personal stylists here at Wardrobe Flair, Sarah and I have always been firm believers in promoting individual style. Couple that with the fact we strongly believe age and size are no barrier to creating amazing personal presentation, which really is all about confidence. Therefore we loved and were amazing to review a forthcoming film called Advanced Style. It’s a documentary based on Ari Seth Cohen’s success from photographing stylish women in New York City between the ages of 60 and 100.
Advanced Style began 4 years ago when Cohen decided to blog about the photos he was taking of these lovely, older ladies. From that came a book and has turned into what is now a movement that has itself grown and blossomed. Just like the ladies who have been photographed.
Some of the subjects have ‘always dressed up’ and see the way they present themselves to the world as a creative outpouring. They ‘use the avenues as their runways’ and believe even during these latter years, if you are creative you are ‘vital’. They assemble and build their style using texture, layers, colour and accessories that have people stop and stare in awe even on the vibrant streets of NYC.
Sometimes this confidence has been only been born with advanced age and you are left with little doubt that that these women are under no illusion at to where they are at in their lives. One lovely lady aged 93 says ‘I feel I came into my own about 12 years ago’. Imagine that? What springs to mind for me is ‘better late than never!’
Not only does this documentary delve into wardrobes, it explores these women’s personalities and snippets of life events that have brought them to where they are today. You get snap shots into their hopes and dreams intertwined with how being adventurous with what they wear has lead them to having experiences they are currently enjoying, with what I must say is heart-warming enthusiasm.
It’s not so much about these ladies wearing current, cutting edge fashion, as them all interpreting their own style and ‘leaving the house feeling and looking their very best’. We were inspired by their attitudes of acceptance of their ages, bodies and their pasts. They made it very clear it was not about trying to look younger, but about looking great.
I believe like these ladies that some people have an inbuilt sense of style, others don’t, but it can always be learnt. Sarah and I have seen this many times during the 10 years Wardrobe Flair has been in business. The merging of fashion, creativity, style, accessories and self-confidence is a beautiful combination and if you have ever thought you were too old for it, go watch this documentary.
Coco Channel wisely said, ‘Fashion changes, but style endures’. Cohen, whose love of his grandmothers began his interest in photographing and promoting this generation of women says on his blog, ‘Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest. Advanced Style offers proof from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age.’ Here here we say!
Here are the screening times around NZ:
Thursday Dec 4: The Rialto & The Bridgeway (Auckland) The Penthouse & Paramount Cinema (Wellington) Metro Cinema (Dunedin) Globe (Napier)
Thursday Dec 11: Alice Cinemateque (Christchurch) Gecko (Motueka)
http://advancedstyle.blogspot.co.nz/
Trudi Bennett set up her personal style consultancy www.wardrobeflair.com in 2005 after discovering a huge market of men and women unhappy with their personal and professional wardrobe and image. Her focus was to give people the tools to make wise, logical styling and shopping decisions, based on their body, budget and lifestyle.
Trudi is a motivational speaker at workshops, seminars & conferences all around NZ sharing her personal styling hints and tips in a humorous and engaging way. She dabbles in TV, is COAST FM’S Fashion & Styling contributor, and is also a fashion blogger for numerous online sites.
Trudi has offices in both Auckland and Wellington New Zealand and her main passion is to help people feel as confident as possible. She is most proud of her work when she knows her clients’ realise anyone of any shape, size or profession can look and feel fantastic.
Regards
Trudi
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