Bloomindales Offers Fashion Over Fifty and Mark Carter the Opportunity to Produce a Fashion Show with Only Women Over Fifty!!

Introducing Eight of the Ladies of Fashion Over Fifty and

Preparation for the big SHOW at Bloomingdales on Dec. 6. 

Fashion Over Fifty and

 Mark Carter Begin.

Our first fifteen women to walk down the runway at Bloomingdales.  Many women committed, but due to unforeseen circumstances, had to drop out at the last minute. Scrambling. Putting a fashion show together is all about scrambling.  Schedules change, security alarms go off in the store the day of the rehearsal, flights are delayed, you name it.  Finally, we get thirteen of the models together and the other two will come later. After all the scrambling, here we are. 

 What a wonderful and diverse group of ladies. Ranging in ages from fifty-two to NINETY!! Sizes ranged from Size 2 to Size 16. From all walks of life, all races, and many socio-economic groups. But, they all have one thing in common.  They are all women Over Fifty and each woman had her own reason for wanting to push themselves to do this.  When life gets too comfortable, that's the time to challenge yourself. All of these wonderful women did just that. The time and effort they put in paid off for them individually and for the bigger cause, Women Over Fifty.

Our runway coach, Mark Carter, has produced his own fashion shows for years. Never, however, with only models Over Fifty.  For Mark, not a problem. One of the most professional coaches ever, along with being kind, non-judgmental, and encouraging.  All of the women felt so comfortable with his direction and style of teaching, it was great.  Nonetheless, still hard work.  Head up, shoulders back, stomachs in, quarter turn, quarter turn, and quarter turn, were only some of the things each woman had to remember while nervously modeling down the runway.

This is Laural. Mark is walking with Laural, as he will do with each model, to help them feel confident, and to help them with their techniques. Laural is enjoying this, and  enjoyed so much of it. Last year Laurel had decided that she was going to work on herself and her self-confidence. It's hard to think of a better way to that than this. At the end, Laural was so happy that she had done this and that it had come at the perfect time.

Laural was touched by the camaraderie among the women. Everyone really encouraged each other whether it be in modeling, or trying on clothes, or just being supportive. "It felt like a sisterhood of women encouraging other women." Now, isn't that the way it should be?   We think so.

Laural has accomplished so much in her life. She has 2 Master's Degrees and she in now working on her PhD. She was also an early childhood educator for many years but has retired. However, Laural has no plans on slowing down. She volunteers, and is working on being the best sister she can be. Now, she can add this to her list of things she has accomplished.  Thanks so much Laural.  Your presence was a gift to all of us.  

This is Blanche.  Blanche is 61. Blanche Romey sells Real Estate in the city of Chicago. At almost six feet tall, she played basketball in college. Her athleticism came in handy for this job.  She was right at ease and we all wished we were as tall as Blanche.  Just being tall made Blanche look like a model!!  Not fair.                                                                     Blanche was one of 12 kids. Hardly a "fashionista", as she wore mostly "hand-me-downs". She believes that we are each each other's landscapes, meaning that when you look at someone and they look good, it makes you feel good too. It makes everybody feel better. Not everyone is perfect or even beautiful, but as long as you can be the most beautiful person that you can be, there is a great sense of self-contentment.                                                                                            Blanche was a beautiful landscape at the fashion show. As the tallest and probably most athletic, Blanche made it look so easy.  Thanks so much to Blanche for her participation. 

 This is Eileen. Eileen was a Public School teacher for many years.  She has also been a business owner, an event planner, and now she even does Improv around Chicago, along with singing at the Old Town School of Music. What doesn't she do?

Eileen recently had an epiphany when a young girl apologized for accidentally running in to her.
The young girl said that she hadn't seen Eileen, and suddenly Eileen realized that she didn't see herself either. This modeling opportunity helped Eileen on her new found mission to get a picture of who she really is. Watching her walk down the runway, you could just see that she is beginning to see herself in a beautiful and confident light.

Eileen seemed to blossom like a flower during the week. On the final day at the fashion show, she was like a different person.   All of her hard work paid off, and it was great having her aboard. Thank you so much.

 This is Cindi. Cindi came all the way from California. Her youngest daughter recently left for college and she is going through the empty nest syndrome. I talked her in to coming because I thought it would be the best thing for her to get back on her feet.
She actually had a really good time, but unfortunately, couldn't stay for the fashion show. We were all so sorry to see her go!!

This is Carol.  Hard to believe
but Carol is 71!. Carol worked for the Lyric Opera of Chicago for many years and knows a lot about a lot of things. She was also very kind to arrange for us to use the community room in her building for us to practice.
As the very kind and generous person that she is, she had coffee and refreshments ready for us each morning when we arrived. The ladies were all so grateful, especially for the coffee.

Carol's building was also right in the heart of the city, near all the action.  It was especially fun for the out of town women to be front and center in the hub bub of Chicago.

Carol loved this experience so much, she wants to be in other Fashion Over Fifty fashion shows. I think she has a new career at 71. She could and should definitely be a runway model.

Carol was the most eager and caring person always ready to do a favor for anyone. We couldn't have done this without her.  Well, we could have, but it wouldn't have been nearly as nice.
Thanks Carol, for all you did and for being who you are.

This is Maureen Mohling. Straight from Central casting with her gorgeous silver/white hair. She even showed up looking like a model the very first day.  Even though her beuaty may have been intimidating, she was the nicest and most down to earth woman.  She too sells Real Estate in the
city of Chicago, with Blanche, and they can be my Agents any day of the week. If she is as professional in real estate as she was in modeling, you can't go wrong. She was a school teacher first, but has been in Real Estate for 35 years.  She has 3 sons and 7 grandchildren.

She also loved how all of the women were so supportive of each other. The camaraderie of the group was great. Maureen also learned that your posture and the way you carry yourself say so much about you. By standing tall, with your head up, and in the right position, it helps you feel so much more confident about yourself.

Maureen's confidence was contagious.  Just being around her, helped the other women feel more confident as well.  Thanks so much Maureen.

This beautiful woman has children in their late 30's.  You would never know it. She too has done a million things in her lifetime. Her latest career has her as the Senior Director for Community Development at the Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center.

Anne was the perfect role model for every woman Over Fifty. She believes that when life gets too comfortable, it's best to push the envelope. Anne developed a new comfort in her own skin after being in the show.

Anne was a great participant and always so encouraging to the other women.  Thanks so much Anne for your contribution.

Though just over five feet, this woman, Wilma, is full of more life than many people you will meet in your lifetime.  At 77, she has no intention of slowing down either.  In fact, she had one of the hardest times making it to the practices because of her busy schedule.

Whether playing cards, Mah Jong, or traveling, Wilma is always on the go. With 4 children and 8 grandchildren, she is also very involved with her family. As the matriarch of the family, she is a great role model for all the females in how to live your life to the fullest, no matter what age.

We don't think there is one shy bone in Wilma's body. She owned the runway and had the best time while doing it. She certainly knows how to have fun, and after all, isn't that what life should be about?
Thanks so much Wilma.

So, these are the first eight ladies out of sixteen, Cindi left early, so there were fifteen in the show.
Two more ladies came the following day all the way from North Carolina.  Stay tuned, and you will meet the next eight models, also dynamic and beautiful women who made this fashion show as amazing as it was.  Thanks again ladies.

Fashion Over Fifty's Fashion Show at Bloomingdales Dec. 6, 2014

                   How Fashion Over Fifty Came to do a Fashion Show at Bloomingdale's in Chicago!!         

                                                                          PART ONE

As we get older, it's common knowledge how important it is to keep your mind active. In fact, many people believe that once you start to feel too comfortable, it's important to push yourself into something new. That is also my philosophy. So, as fate might have it, one day as I was cautiously walking down the flight of stairs at the Apple store so as not to trip and kill myself, I was approached by this very tall  handsome black man.   He stopped me midway down the stairs and told me how runway models walk down the stairs so as not to fall. He started demonstrating how to do it, and I knew instantly that he was the "real deal". He looked so graceful and confident.  It struck me that I must have looked pretty pathetic or else he wouldn't have stopped me. Was I getting that old that I looked like I needed help? Knowing that this meeting was no coincidence, I asked if I could buy him a cup of coffee. 

 As it turned out, this handsome man was Mark David Carter, a Runway Modeling Coach. We talked a lot. I told him about Fashion Over Fifty and how I try to promote the self-esteem of women Over Fifty. He told me about his extensive background in training models and producing fashion shows.  Instantly, I thought, how great would it be if we could somehow combine our interests. He  told me that I should come to one of his classes on a Sunday and so, the next Sunday I showed up in heels and wearing black as he instructed. Needless to say, I was the oldest one in the class!! The class was much harder than I expected.  How many years had it been that I  hadn't been walking with my shoulders back, stomach held in, and my head up? (Boy, did my stomach muscle hurt for the next few days.)  When did this happen? When did I become unconscious of how I was presenting myself to the world? This class woke me up in SO many ways!! 

 

When I left, I was on cloud Nine.   It hit me that somewhere between Forty and Sixty I had ceased to be aware of myself, and that along with that I had lost some femininity.  During class I could see how different I looked when I stood up tall and looked forward. Standing in the Model T, which is not easy, also made a difference in how I felt about myself. Merely standing with my feet in this feminine position and looking confident, made me feel confident. A surge of empowerment and creativity came over me. I couldn't wait to go back again and again, but I had so much traveling ahead of me, it wasn't to be. Nonetheless, it stirred in me the desire to help every woman Over Fifty feel what I was feeling.

As you can see, I was the oldest in the class, and the shortest. However, that didn't stop me from feeling like I was young again and that I could do anything!! The dream began that I must share this with other .....

                                WOMEN OVER FIFTY!!!

Professional Runway Coach, Mark David Carter, demonstrating how to walk ...

What A Sad Time for Carmen De Lavallade. Just Recently, Her Husband of Almost Sixty Years Passed away.

Carmen de Lavallade , 83, is an amazingly talented and award winning dancer and
choreographer. Born in  Los Angeles in 1931, she  married her husband,
Geoffrey Holder in 1955, while still in her early twenties. Carmen and Geoffrey would
have celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary next year, however, sadly he passed
away on October 5, 2014.

Anyone born in the last thirty years could have known Geoffrey in one of many ways.  He was
not only a dancer, who danced on Broadway; an actor who played the villain in a
James Bond movie; a painter, a director of plays on Broadway, but do you remember
the 7 UP commercial where a deep voice called it the "Uncola"? Yes, that too
was Geoffrey.

Carmens' career was also illustrious. She started dancing in 1949 and in 1955 was offered a
position with the prestigious  Alvin Ailey Company where she became a lead dancer.
She danced on Broadway early in her career and and met Geoffrey while doing
a production together. Carmen went on to do other phenomenal things, especially
considering that Black ballerinas were very rare. She danced at the Metropolitan
Opera; she joined the Yale School of Drama as a choreographer and performer in
residence; and also became a professor at the Yale Repertory Theater.

Between Carmen and Geoffrey so many awards were won. Both of them were extremely
successful at what they did. They shared so many thrilling moments together; it must
have been so much fun. Their marriage was really like something out of a fairy tale.
It is hard to imagine being married to the same man for almost sixty years, and even
harder to imagine losing someone so dear after all those years.

We pray that Carmen has the strength and the courage to mourn the loss of her
husband. We also hope that she will continue to be the wonderful role model
she has always been to women in America.
She is an icon of grace, intelligence, talent, and style. She has
now lost someone so very dear, our prayers go out to Carmen and her family.

You haven't heard of Nina McLemore, 69. It's time she takes her place among the Visible rather than the Invisible.

There is a designer out there that is dressing some of the most influential and

important women of today. You haven't heard her name at Fashion Week, and 

you haven't even seen models on the Runway wearing her clothes. In fact,

it's a bet that you haven't even seen her clothes in a Department

Store.  Well, this is one genius woman who YOU need to know about,

because for the Woman Over Fifty, she is a great solution to the lack 

of clothing made for our Age Demographic. 

Her name is Nina McLemore. 

Everyone says it, that women Over Fifty become invisible.

If you are Over Fifty, you have probably felt it at some time or another,

or maybe you feel that way all the time. (We hope not).

Everyone also knows that there is a HUGE VOID in clothing made

for the demographic of Over Fifty. Nina knew this too. So, after investigating

a most exhaustive collection of stores along Madison Avenue in New York,

Nina decided she needed to fill that void. In 2001, thankfully, she came out of

retirement and launched her own line of clothing. Her line is aimed at

professional women, most of whom are Over Fifty or for the more mature 

woman who has trouble finding the more tailored look that is oftentimes

the most flattering, but hard to find.

The materials are made in Italy and the quality of the clothing is

comparable to many of the finest designers. However, her designs are not

meant to be seen in Vogue or in celebrity photos, but rather, on the more

distinguished woman, professional or not. And though the quality is  "designeresque",

her price point is about one third to one half less than say,

an Armani suit, for example.

One of Nina's philosophies is that women no longer need to dress like men in the work place, and that women should not be afraid to stand out, no matter what age. Her range of colors is vast, from basic black, to the brightest and boldest. The style can carry a woman from day to night with ease, something so important to older women executives and more mature women in general.

For someone who doesn't think women should stand out, however, she has maintained a pretty low profile. For a long time, her line was only sold through personal representatives who met with the client personally. Today she has fourteen independent stores throughout the U.S. , including Boston, Seattle and San Francisco. Of course you can also find her clothes on line at NinaMcLemore.com. 

Though not really a "Celebrity", a woman of great importance and notoriety, Hillary Clinton, has been wearing Nina's clothing for quite some time. 

Nina also carries a more casual line that is meant more for weekend or vacation wear. As far as her casual clothing, however, it remains almost as prices as her more tailored suits. This is one area where she hasn't been able to fill the void because the average woman can not afford this type of clothing at an expensive price. Her stores and her representatives do not shy away from telling you that her line is meant for a household making over $250,000.00. However, no matter how much money you have, you can find just as stylish casual clothing for a lot less. Your money would be much better spent on a stylist who can stay within your style, but who can add a bit of flare, for a lot less.

Here are a few of her suits from her online store at NinaMcLemore.com 

Lanvin's Elber Albaz Says That Any Woman, Any Age, Should Break All the Rules!! He is Every Woman's Best Friend.

 Women of all Ages LOVE Lanvin and He LOVES them. "Curves are Marvelous. Wrinkles are Hypnotizing. Why not just be happy with who you are?"

Number One Rule to Break: Ignore the Time of Day:

Why? "No one is in the same humor every morning or all day long.

When a woman's clothes are in harmony with her emotions, she shines from within."

 How about? 

Armani Prive for Daytime?

Number Two Rule to Break:  Don't Dress Safe

Why? "Formulas are fine for baking a cake but not for looking amazing. Nowadays we all strive to be pragmatists, but what fun is fashion if there is no room to dream?"

How about?

Dior for anytime!!

Number Three Rule to Break: Let Your Accessories Dominate

Why? "Since women spend more on their shoes and jewelry and are more adventurous with their choices, they can indulge in the luxury of framing a simple, well tailored dress with a complementary extravagance."

How about?

Lanvin, by Elbaz himself

Number Four Rule to Break: Pick Fabrics That You Love 

Why? "It's the material that allows a designer to create innovative silhouettes that are flattering to women...Experiment and you will find new sides to yourself."

How About?

Carolina Herrera

This article inspired greatly from Bazaar December 2013, Article by Hal Rubenstein

Have you Always Wanted to be a Model, but Think You are Too Old? Not so!!

Great news for women Over Fifty.  On Saturday Dec. 6 at 2:00 p..m.
there will be a fashion show at Bloomingdale's in Chicago on  Michigan Avenue
with only OVER FIFTY models!!  Fashion OverFifty, along with the highly experienced Fashion Expert, Mark Carter, will be conducting a 20 hour runway modeling class the week prior to the event.

If you have always wanted to be a model now is your chance.
Retailers are beginning to realize the purchasing power the Baby Boomers.
This is a great first step on the part of Bloomingdales to reach out to
our audience.  How groundbreaking of this World Class Department Store.

Other options will be available, including: makeovers of hair and makeup,
full modeling portfolios, Videos of your walk down the runway,
 Full Page of your own on the Website Fashion Over Fifty, and more.

The class will commence on Sunday, November 30 and finish on December 6
with the Grand FinaleFashion Show on the Runway in Bloomingdales!!

More details to follow!! For more information you can contact
Wendy.fashionoverfifty@gmail.com

End of Summer, Thinking Fall

Last winter was so terrible, it's hard to think about summer ending. Why does it always go so fast?

One way to prolong it, fashion wise, is to mix summer clothing with warmer tops or vice versa.

James Perse makes the greatest cotton clothing. It is soft and luxurious at the same time. It also has elastic in the fabric, so it gives. Here, I am wearing the James Perse pencil skirt.  It is good if you have no hips, like me.  Not all women are so fortunate, but then it's not so great health-wise to carry your weight in your stomach area, which is how I am built.  The belt around the middle helps give the illusion that I in fact have a waist, when I don't. They call this body type, the glass of water.  It's more of a male frame, also not great for delivering babies!!

That said, however, Kim Kardashian was recently photographed in the dress that is the counterpart to this skirt. She looked very sexy with her ample bottom; if nothing else, she has done so much to bring backthe beauty of an ample and full figure. You must give her credit where credit where credit is due. So, if you are daring, and have a sexy derriere, you might want to try it.

The skirt is great for summer/fall fashion because it is a medium weight cotton. Opaque stockings with some cute shoe-boots on cooler fall days makes this so versatile. It is also stretchy so you can bring it as low over your leg as you want.  I like to cover my knees since they are beginning to sag, sadly enough!!! With opaque stockings, however, you can smoosh it up higher for a more youthful look.

This was taken on a cooler August night in Chicago.  As the weather changes every 15 minutes in that city, it's better to be prepared for anything.  The top is a long sleeved BCBG light weight T-shirt material. Not too hot, but provides enough warmth in the event of a cool breeze off the lake or freezing air conditioning in restaurants. Again, I put a belt around the waist to give the illusion of a
waistline. It also breaks up the stripes for a more interesting look.

Air conditioning can really be a problem, especially when the weather gets cooler, and the restaurants forget to turn it down. A good rule of thumb is to always bring a sweater.  In the summer, it's a good idea to bring at least a shirt as a cover up so you don't have to do what I do, and get at least 10 napkins and use them as a blanket!!!

This is a great DKNY mesh knit sweater that I have had for years.  It NEVER goes out of style and it

goes with so many things. She comes out with a variation of this sweater every spring, and it is highly recommended to buy one.  You won't regret it..

Lastly, the outfit is pretty bland, gray, white and taupe. So, time to pull out a fun summer bag. What a great way to add a little life, and it feels so nice to wear something whimsical when summer is about to end. The purse is by Tilly of Malibu, and she sells online.  Anthropologie used to carry them, but this summer, I didn't see any. 

That just about completes the outfit except for the Via Spiga Gladiator-type sandals. Those photos will be added later since the picture seems to be on another computer!!

Here's the entire look, and hopefully, it will inspire you to experiment with simple styling with a dash of whimsy and practicality. Have fun.