Nickie Summers, A Fan From Facebook, Shares Her Inspirational Story

AT 51, NICKIE SUMMERS DOES NOT LET AGE KEEP HER FROM LIVING HER DREAM OF BECOMING AN ACTRESS. IN TWO WEEKS, AT 51, SHE IS OPENING AS  THE STAR OF "MRS. BILLINGSLY"

HER STORY IS INSPIRATIONAL TO SAY THE LEAST

Nickie Summer's favorite phrase is: "Bloom where you're planted." Nickie truly believes that whatever the circumstances in your life, there is opportunity to be productive, creative and to contribute in your life. 

She certainly has lived by her philosophy that self-imposed limits should not prevent you from pursuing your dreams.

About 2 years ago, when her daughter was going off to college, her daughter asked her if there was anything her mom had always wanted to do, but didn't? That simple question caused Nickie to pause and consider;" what is her passion, her joy, her true self?" Her answer was acting and modeling. She had dabbled in it in her early '20's, but never followed through. So, she set a course and began taking steps that would move her in the direction to pursue her passion.  

"The last two years has lead me on a journey in the entertainment industry, fulfilling experiences I left behind years ago."

On February 16th, at the age of 51,  she will walk on stage performing the lead role in the theater production, Mrs. Billingsley, and will follow that up this spring with a role in the stage play Slavery to Freedom, both produced by TY Martin Studios.

"Age can be a self imposed limitation whispering in one's ear 'pursue your dream? what's the purpose?' When in reality, this is the best time to come full circle in life,  get re-engaged with joy, and bloom! Life is about endurance, living life with vitality at the age of fifty and over as we did in our twenties...live your life not your age...how fun is THAT???!!!! The difference between today and tomorrow is the will to start...Define your goal, Set a course, Move it forward!"   Nickie Summers

Thank you so for sharing this Nickie. Break a Leg!!

Vivienne Westwood

AT 73, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, THE "MOTHER" OF  PUNK ROCK DESIGN THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, REINVENTS HERSELF FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME TO DESIGN COSTUMES FOR THE ROYAL BALLET 

Vivienne Westwood,72, grew up in a part of England that came to being during the Industrial Revolution.  Despite having no exposure to Culture, such as the Arts or Theater, she became the Matriarch of the Punk Rock movement and has designed her way to creating for the Royal Family and now the National Ballet of London.

Vivienne attended Art school for one semester studying fashion and silversmithing, but dropped out after one semester. She utlimately started her career as a school teacher, and married Derek Westwood in the early 1960's.They had a son, Ben, and her life seemed pretty well established. Then she met Malcolm Mclaren, an art student. Vivienne left her first husband and the new team of Vivienne and Malcolm led to an everlasting change in the culture of not only England, but countries around the world, including the United States   

In 1971, Malcolm opened a Boutique on Kings Road in London, called "Let it Rock" The name was changed four more times until it took the name of "Sex". Mclaren conceived the idea for clothing taking inspiration from bikers, fetishists, and prostitutes, which Vivienne designed into clothing. Mclaren also began managing the Band, the Sex Pistols who began wearing the Mclaren/Westwood designs.The shop and these designs became a hub of the Punk Revolution. They also had a child together, Ben.

Malcolm  also taught Vivienne about the political power of art and encouraged her to develop her own individual creativity which she has continued to do for more than forty years. At that time, in the early 1970's, the movement was a reaction by the youth against older generations considered oppressive and outdated.  Through Malcolm's inspiration and her own creativity she designed a most rebellious line of clothing that evoked such visceral reactions as dirty, ripped, scarred, shocking, cruel, traumatized, sick or alienated. Needless to say, Vivienne Westwood also became a controversial influence that had much weight then, and  now. 

However, even after the Punk Movement faded, Vivienne remained rebellious and often setting the fashion curve . The couple looked toward romanticism in their next venture which emerged 1979-1981 as the Pirates collection.The collection was highly influenced by 18th century men's clothing fused with North American Indian and Pirate which rendered an androgynous overtone, greatly shocking Britain once again.  

By 1981, Westwood and McLaren launched their line on the catwalk in London, Westwood's first foray into established fashion. Britain was not about to embrace Westwood, however, Italy hailed her work as genius.  She received financial backing from a wealthy business mogul and her design future became more secure. Nontheless, by 1983, the business began to have financial problems and Westwood split from McLaren and joined ranks with her Italian business partner and now lover.

Since then, she has had various Signature looks including, witches, Harris tweed, and Cut, Slash and Pull. She has remained a vocal advocate of the underdogs and of societal maladies. Despite the success that she has ultimately achieved, she has remained true to her humble beginnings.

Today Viviennes Empire is vast. She has a semi-couture line, Gold Label; a ready to wear line, Red Label, and perfumes along with a successful range of knitwear and accessories. She was named British Designer of the year in 1990 and 1991. She was made Dame Vivienne Westwood in 2006.
She has moved on to other social issues, including climate change. In 2013 she rebranded the English National Ballet with costumes of her design.

If there is anything that can be said about Vivienne, she is a constant surprise and contradiction of terms. Ranging from the Sex Pistols to the National Ballet, and everything in between, she continually reinvents herself, even at the age of 73. 

If You Don't Know Carine Roitfeld, then You Don't Know Fashion

WHERE TO BEGIN? ONE OF THE MOST , IF NOT THE MOST, ICONIC EDITORS, STYLISTS, FASHIONISTAS, RE-INVENTORS, AND GORGEOUS WOMEN OF ALL TIME..

Carine, 59, has done more in her life than most. Her start came by luck when she was noticed by a photographer's assistant on the streets of Paris. At 18, she was asked to model. She did not last as a model for very long before she started to freelance as a stylist and writer for Elle France. In 1990, she met the photographer Mario Testino and the two went on to collaborate for years to come.

From 2001-2011 she was Editor-In-chief of Vogue Paris. In 2001, she earned the coveted and highly revered position of Editor-In-Chief of French Vogue. This position she held with great esteem until 2011. During that

time, Mario and Carine collaborated on some of the most historic and evolutionary fashions of all time in both Vogue and French Vogue.

Carine and Mario

In the mid-1990's, Tom Ford asked Carine to help him revive the struggling Gucci brand. Initially, she refused, but later, both Carine and Mario stepped in to help. Roitfeld's influence helped create a very stylized 70's provocative line.

It was dubbed "porno chic", but Carine preferred the term "erotic chic".

Gucci circa 2000

In 2004 Ford left Gucci and Missoni then recruited Carine. Again, Carine had the Midas touch, with Missoni recreating its brand. Roitfeld's touch was what she liked to call " a bit of sex...there must be a bit of provocation."

Missoni on Vogue Photographed by Testino

In 2001, Conde Nast Chairman, Jonathan Newhouse asked her to take over as Editor-In-Chief of French Vogue, which she did. she reigned supremely during her stay until 2011. Carine was not afraid to experiment, and many of her experiments worked. During her tenure at Vogue, revenue increased almost 10 percent and circulation 27 percent.

Carine in 2010

Since leaving Vogue, Carine has not lost a beat with her flair and influence in the world of fashion. She currated a book, Irreverant, that featured images from her favorite fashion shoots where she was taking her own photos.

 Carine most recently was the "star" in the movie so aptly named ," Mademoiselle C". The film is directed by Fabian Constant and is about Carine's' next journey which is the launching of her own fashion magazine "CR Fashion Book".  Does this woman ever stop?  It also chronicles her position as Editor-In-chief at Vogue Paris.  Basically, the movie features every and any person who was famous in the fashion industry including models, designers and photographers. 

As a personal aside, I was in New York the earlier part of this month, January.  I was browsing through the Sale rack on a really COLD day. I looked next to me and this very thin and ultra chic (hard to do in really COLD weather) woman, with the coolest Down jacket and spike-heeled boots was standing next to me. I knew I knew her from somewhere, and before I had the chance to tell her how much I admire, worship, and adore her, she was gone. Too bad. 

More Favorite Picks from Spring Couture 2014 for Women Over Fifty

Zuhair Murad

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

                                   

Daphne Selfe, 85, a Symbol that the Trends in Fashion Are Changing. Keep Your Fingers Crossed!!

DAPHNE SELFE, MORE POPULAR IN HER '70'S THAN IN HER 20'S . PRETTY MIRACULOUS IN THIS DAY AND AGE, DON'T YOU THINK?

in an age obsessed with youth, it seems highly unlikely that any model could still be working at 85. In her 60th year in front of the camera, she not only makes more than $1,500 per day, but she has more jobs now than when she was young!! Thanks to her striking cheek bones, slender figure and beautiful long gray hair, she is helping to shape the newest trends in fashion.

Daphne never grew up wanting to be a model and never thinking she was the right type. In 1949, her friends convinced her to enter a competition to be the cover girl for a local magazine. Of course she won, and then the rest is history, so to speak.

She started off as a model for a fashion wholesaler and then for a furrier in London. Back then, she got free weekly manicures, and hair appointments, but she was required to look good off camera as well as on, unlike today! Daphne was always bigger boned and a little heavier than other models, but no one complained. Until 1954, there was rationing in England, so no one could afford to be too picky about what they ate, either. 

In 1953, Daphne met her husband and married the next year. For the next 10 years she had 3 children and loved being a mother. She never thought she would return to modeling, especially when models like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton became in vogue in the 60's.She knew there was no way she would fit back in, so, instead, she decided to try working in commercials and as an extra in film and television.

In her 20's Daphne became a model. Back then,
she had  a manicure and  her hair styled every week.
It was required that she look as good during her
off time as she did during her "on time".

In the 70's, styles again started to change; the models weren't quite as thin, make-up wasn't so thick, and hair was looser. By this time she was in her 40's and her hair was beginning to gray. Nonetheless, she  continued to have small roles on television and modeled in department store cafes.

By the 1980's Daphne was in her fifties. Never did Daphne have a beauty regime, she washed her face with regular soar and used Nivea as her night cream.  When she began to see wrinkles, it didn't bother her(can you imagine that today?, My, how things have changed.) because they told the story of her life."Age happens to us all, no one is immune" She felt the same about her hair and let it go gray forgoing dye.

In her 50's Daphne didn't care that her wrinkles started to show.
She said that they told the story of her life.
"Age happens to all of us, no on is immune."

The realm of "senior modelling" was happening for Daphne in the 1990's until her husband had a stroke. She cared for him for 4 years until he died. Wanting to stay busy she wasn't sure what she would do until her Agent asked her if she would like to do a fashion show of the edgy label "Red or Dead". From there, it was like the Angels were shining down on her. That stylist told her Vogue was looking for models for an article on how it felt to be old. So, in 1998, at the age of 70, Daphne was indeed in Vogue!! A talent scout for the Agency Model 1 saw her and signed her up.

The rest truly reads like a fairy tale. At the age of 70, she was jetting all over the world. She got more stamps in her passport in those first two years than in her entire life before. She did start doing yoga and circuit training to keep herself fit.  Not bad, starting those at 70! fifteen years later, she can't believe she is still working. She now commands top dollar to pose for leading fashion houses.

She is proud to say that she has never "had anything done to her face" The best thing of all, and for all of mankind, is that she says "the younger models look up to her"  At last, a role model for all of us to look to with admiration for staying true to herself!!

Favorite Picks From Spring Couture 2014

Armani

Armani

Armani

Armani

Armani

Giambattista Villa

Giambattista Villa

Ulyana Sergeenko

Giambattista Villa

Once Again, Bazaar’s choices for ’60′s and ’70′s is so inappropriate, why bother?

You don’t have to be a fashion genius to figure out “what’s wrong with this picture”. I mean, absolutely no thought o r concern went into this article. All of the fashion magazines and social etiquettes tell us that as one becomes more “distinguished”, that it is best to tone down colors. Of course, if you are of Advance Style, the brighter the better, but we are hopefully trying to encourage more women to express themselves and not let society tell us what is right or wrong. This “all pink” Lanvin suit is way over the top. Even though Lanvin’s Elber Albaz says that:” Any woman, any age, should break all the rules”, I don’t think he would agree with this choice. Black slacks, or a black blazer instead of the all pink would be much more sophisticated and lady-like. I also think you have to be really TALL to carry off this bold monochromatic look. Then, whoever the Editor is, decides to put a photo of Helen Mirren in all pink to show that she would agree. I have seen hundreds of photos of Helen Mirren and I have to tell you this is one of the most unbecoming photos I have seen. She looks short and somewhat stocky. She doesn’t even look pretty, and she is so stunning. I say, “Fire this editor”. Please, there are so many of trying to advance the image of women over fifty; this is putting us back years!! Designer sandals, yes, even ones that are comfortable, are coming out this Spring. Isn’t that wonderful? These look a bit bulky but I would have to see them on; otherwise, they might bring a matronly look with them.

Okay, now for the Fabulous at Every Age for the ’70′s. YUCK!!! This Narcisco Rodriguez outfit for someone over 70 is the PITS!
Where to begin. I guess the pants. If you are going to have a color-block jacket, you do NOT have color-blocked and striped pants to go with it. You don”t have to be Anna Wintour to figure this one out. Don’t get me wrong, the pants are really cute-alone. Again, I think you have to be on the TALL-ish side to wear them, but someone in their 70′s could definitely pull these off. The jacket is also very stylish-alone. A white shirt with this for Spring would be lovely, or even a colored skirt. The same exact thing holds true for the Kenneth Cole vest, that they put together with the Les Copains pants. Separately yes. Black and white are a great color combination together, but whoever put this together, was not thinking of a 70 “and beyond” woman. In fact, I don’t think they were thinking at all. I will say one good thing however; the Roberto Cavalli shoes are cute! But, the picture of Marina Cicogna…she is a Countess in Italy and a producer. She is also stunning. Do you think they could have chosen a more miserable picture of her?

I say, “Fire the Fashion Editor” of this column, or at least get rid of the column altogether.
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Facial Treatments: The Difference Between Ultrasound and Electroportation

 NEWER DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP BUILD COLLAGEN AND KEEP YOUR SKIN LOOKING HEALTHY AND YONGER

You have probably heard a lot about the use of Ultrasound to help serums and anti-aging products to penetrate into the skin.

One such product is the Opal by Clarisonic.  It comes with a poly-peptide serum that is known to help fight the signs of aging.  

Opal states that:

Now there's a Sonic Method for accelerating the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles far beyond the capabilities of topical treatments alone. The Opal Infuser boosts absorption of our anti-aging sea serum by driving the powerful antioxidants and hydrating marine extracts, deeper into the skin for younger-looking eyes faster. However, after attending the Annual Aesthetics Convention (I was an Aesthetic Nurse), I learned of something even more effective. A newer method now available is something called Electroportation.  Electroportation uses modulated pulses of low current to create transient aqueous pores in the skin.  This application of an electrical pulse momentarily disrupts the cell membrane, allowing the entry of product.  When the pulse ceases, the membrane returns to its original structure, leaving product that has been penetrated into the interior of the cell.  The effect of the electroportation lasts for a few seconds, therefore, allowing the introduction of product. This dramatically increases skin permeability. In other words, it opens the pore that allows a deeper penetration of product into the skin   This process also stimulates your skin to enable muscle toning, draining of liquids from intercellular space, and the production of new collagen and elastin. In Summary:  1.Ultrasonic:Ultrasonic is import nutrition by one million per second Vibration wave into the skin (slight shocks have no obvious feeling when used on the skin, usually USES the drop of water on the probe test whether at work or not) which is the most common and traditional leading instruments. 2. Electroporation: Compared with ultrasonic beauty instrument, electroporation import more products infiltrate into deep skin to improve via skin dermis; Compared with Ion,electroporation products leading penetration is 10-27 time than the Ion leading. *****Ask your dermatologist about this before you try it out on yourself.  It may not be suitable for you, and there may be adverse side-effects.