"Never mind Cara, Gigi and Karlie -today's hottest models are in their 40s, 50s, and beyond". Louisa Pritchard reports on the kickass women putting a one-overlooked generation back on the fashion map...

Hello Silver Sirens...

Alex B.

Began modelling at: 46

Previous job: Academic

She says: "I am not surprised that older models can find work - it just has to be so, given the changes in demographics - although I believe we still have a long way to go"

Louisa Pritchard, Stella Magazine

Alex has walked at ParisFashionWeek and has been a constant presence on the runways of LondonFashionWeek, as well as appearing in numerous editorials and commercials. Now in her sixties, her modelling career spans nearly two decades.

Such a great experience to be back at @feeltheframe.studio together with model colleague and friend @milenacappetta1963, both of us with @mrsrobinsonmgt
These are photos taken in a pro studio, collaborating with the photographer Anna Arfen. Except that we were free to click when we wanted using a remote control. Anna was in and out and we discussed lighting and backgrounds with her as well as getting some tips on styling. These are essentially portraits but taken in a different way. Definitely not selfies!
Feel the Frame aims to bring the joys of photographic portraiture to people who would not find themselves at ease in the presence of a photographer. But models, actors and dancers who are used to being in front of the camera might enjoy the freedom it affords! I loved working with Milena; we encouraged and supported each other and we laughed a lot!
#funday #selfportrais #portraitphotography #londonstudio #oldermodelshavingfun

What an amazing experience! I was photographed by the wonderful Uli Weber @uliweber with a handful of other people, all connected with @libertylondon as part of the 150 years celebrations. Not as a model, but as myself, former academic and a Liberty customer. Thank you Uli, rather, ‘danke schön’ or perhaps ‘grazie’ as your Italian is even better than mine! And thank you Priya Oades at @crumbagency for offering me this incredible opportunity! I genuinely love Liberty, it is where I go to find fabric when I want to do a bit of dressmaking - yes, I love sewing - and I believe this is a unique department store, synonymous with taste and understated elegance
#libertyoflondon #photographicexhibition #celebratingenduringexcellence

I finally went to admire the work of @sewthescene aka Sophie Levi Kallin at @thebakeryartgallery in Camden Passage. Sophie’s work is extraordinary: she embroiders scenes of the London landscape with a sewing machine. It’s a real treat!
#supportlocalartists #textileart #textileartists #independentgalleries

This was taken at the lighting workshop led by award winning photographer Julia Fullerton Batten @julia_fullertonbatten at the Rivoli Ballroom @rivoliballroom earlier this year
Styling @mairjoint_stylist Hair @danieldyer72
#photography #lighting #narrativephotography #silverhair #silverhairmodel

One of the things I did last Thursday was to pay a visit to @stitchesintime_ . It was a day of events linked to Fashion Revolution, focused on the women of @fabricworkslondon and I caught the exhibition of the Tapestries for the Millenium in the beautiful nearby St Anne’s church, which has a most interesting history and is undergoing restoration (or soon will be).
#fashionrevolution #socialatelier #sustainability #sustainablefashion

Some recent black-and-white portraits by Tobias Slater-Hunt @tobias.photo.arts reworked in a collage for Instagram. I’ve only just seen them, and I really like how I’ve been captured. I turn 68 today. And no, please, don’t tell me “age is just a number” and similar platitudes. I feel every year of it. Not in a bad way, just in a real way. Life feels heavy sometimes. I’m grateful to have lived 68 years—many don’t get that far. I don’t take it for granted. I can’t afford to.
(Thanks for all the birthday wishes, which keep pouring in. I will thank you properly tomorrow)

#PortraitPhotography
#BlackAndWhitePortrait
#BWPhotography
#CapturedMoments
#ThroughTheLens
#AgeAndWisdom
#AgingHonestly
#NoPlatitudes
#LifeLived
#thisis68

Reposting here a link to @simone_i_jacob interview with Paulina Porzikova @paulinaporizkov. See here (I know it gets awkward on this platform, links do not work automatically but I am giving it anyway. Also, if you go to @simone_i_jacob account, you will find a link that works )
https://en.silverandstyle.com/post/interview-with-legendary-model-writer-paulina-porzikova-on-aging-and-more-1

Of all the people who speak against ageism, no one matches Paulina’s elegance, commitment and humility. She has inspired thousands of women worldwide and continues to do so. Do listen to this interview! And thank you @simone_i_jacob for posting it!
#beauty #ageing #beyourbestversion❤️

I have waited with bated breath for this exhibition of Cartier at @vamuseum and it did not disappoint. I have renewed my membership so that I can go back as many times as I wish - not a good idea to visit on a Sunday. Next time I will bring my granddaughter who loves everything that sparkles. My main criticism is that the exhibition is poorly illuminated, making it difficult to read the curators’ labels. But worth visiting.
#masterjeweller #cartier #exhibition #victoriaandalbertmuseum

A bit flat - due to resizing - but this is my version, rather, my ChatGPT’s version of me as a boxed doll. Only this morning I read that we should not do it because ChatGPT consumes too much energy and should be used for less frivolous pursuits. What can I say? People will always rant against AI, one way or another, it is a fashion in itself.
#aigenerated #boxeddoll #harmlessfun

If you can, catch the exhibition ‘The Great Mughals’ at @vamuseum. Many exhibits are from UK collections, some in the V&A permanent collection of South Asian artifacts, but it’s great to see them brought together to tell us a story of centuries gone by. There is also a short film about the fabulous Taj Mahal. I attended lectures on miniature paintings when I was a student at SOAS and I have travelled to India and Iran; it was a real pleasure to renew my acquaintance with this aspect of South Asian history and culture. And I even bumped into people I had not seen in decades!
#thegreatmughals #thegreatmughalsexhibition #victoriaandalbertmuseum

The short film ‘Lumaca’ by @marco.celotti presented by L’Officiel Italia @lofficielitalia is now out; production company @basementheadquarter. My role is that of an ambiguous but rather cruel older woman who appears and disappears in Annama’s apartment and may be a figment of the imagination of the young singer, played by the stunning @annama.one The list of credits is rather long, head to @marco.celotti account for it. I would like to thank everyone involved in the shoot on location in Milan - they were all so patient and helpful - and in London I would like to thank @mrsrobinsonmgt for arranging it.
#modelactor #fashionfilm #horrorstory #balenciagaclothing

The irony! After years and years of using contacts and after advising a newbie about what to do and expect, reassuring her it was all plain sailing, I ended up at the Moorfields Eye Hospital A&E because of a soft contact stuck to my inner eyelid. Turns out my eye had already expelled it but with all the poking around I did I got myself a mild bacterial infection. Was it hubris? I mean I kept saying I knew all about wearing contacts. But I clearly forgot the basic principle: do not touch your eyes unless your hands are squeaky clean.
Bottom line: a shoot cancelled, a missed selftape deadline and an entire morning waiting to be triaged and then seen by the doctor on duty. Thank god for audiobooks!
#contactlensmishap #eyeinfection #modellife

So, continuing yesterday’s post, these are all AI versions of me created by @doji_com. I supplied six selfies and two body shots and I got these which I can use to style clothes I may want to buy, to help me decide. The clothes are all designer, naturally, you will not find high street on this app. I was curious about the AI doubles, that’s why I wanted to try. And honestly, I am speechless. These AI ‘Alex’ are based on my features and body type but they show no sign of ageing. Is this the future of clothes shopping? And are we all going to have ageless and perfect AI doubles? What will happen to our individuality?
***NOT AN APRIL FOOLS ***
#aigenerated ##aimodelsfashion #shoppingapp #aiperfection

Me as reimagined by Doji @doji_com, a new app that allows you to shop for clothes. It creates an AI version of you based on selfies. This is one of the AI versions of me the app has created. This is AI, I do not look like this in real life.
There has been a lot of talk about models and AI and what AI can/will do for the fashion industry. Apps like Doji target consumers directly, with no models. Anyone can create an AI version of themselves, style it online and then shop the looks.
I fully understand the rationale, this is the business of fashion.
But…do I really want an AI generated Barbie doll version of myself?
#ai #aigeneratedimages #aiandfashion #aimodelsfashion #shoppingapps

BTS at Feel the Frame, Shoreditch, London

I have worked with @feeltheframe.studio on a new concept, doing self portraits in a fully professional studio where Anna Arfen, the photographer, discusses your requirements and sets all the lights for you and then leaves you to experiment with the remote control. She is on hand if there is a problem. At the end of my session -will post images by and by - we did this short video to show how it works, well, how it worked for me.
Doing self portraits is different from modelling for someone else and it was interesting to explore another way of being in front of the camera. I admit it was not easy for me to become my own art director but I enjoyed it. I definitely need more practice. Self portraiture is not like taking selfies - about which I feel ambivalent. Self portraiture is an art; it requires many skills and a superlative technical knowledge of photography. Think of Cindy Sherman whose work I adore or of the self-portraiture of Nadia Lee Cohen @nadialeecohen , whose work I truly respect. What Anna Arfen is trying to do with the project ‘Feel the Frame’ is to make self portraiture more accessible to everyone, debunking the idea that taking selfies is what it’s all about.
#behindthescenes #selfportraitphotography #modelling #modelandartdirector

From the archive, some portraits taken in France by Pascal Renoux @pascalrenoux.portraits.
#portraits #portraitphotography #silverhairedmodel

All mothers are superwomen!
Mother’s Day is upon us, on 30th March.
I did this shoot for @charlesfish_jewellery and am grateful to the team - please tag yourselves! Love the vintage jewellery!
#mothersday #superwomen #oldermodel #silverhair #vintagejewellery

Love Paris when the weather is nice and today it was glorious. Really enjoyed shooting with @oda.eide, with great styling provided by @annabelluceystylist and gorgeous make up by @margheritafabbro_mua. I did not make it to any of the shows, it’s PFW, but mine was a flying visit, back in London tomorrow. I thought I had to go and take a good look at the Tour Eiffel. I watched a movie about Gustave Eiffel a while back and his efforts to build the tower. It made me appreciate this extraordinary feat of engineering. Au revoir, Paris!
#fashionshoot #modelling #modellife #beingatourist #parisfashionweek #springinparis

Moments from the ‘Future of Fashion’ show on 22nd of February 2025, part of @londonfashionweek. Thank you @bullockinclusion and @londonrepresents for having me as a model! Thank you to all the photographers and videographers - I will tag you separately when I post stills and videoclips but for now I wish to mention @traceydaviesphotography_ and @sophia.stefelle - for capturing me while on the runway and backstage. Huge thanks to the sponsors who made the event possible
@europeaninvestmentbank @atmos @lifeatzebra @londonkindred @southasianbeautycollective @lucas_nunes0 @marceloq.photography @angeharperphoto @riocafeuk @beths.uk @thearcheswinebar @royalcollegeofart @modelsofdiversity
Thank you also to the fabulous makeup artists and hairstylists and, of course, the designers whose work was on show! A special thank you to @d_ren_1 for being so helpful and to the one and only @samantabullock
#bullockinclusion #londonrepresents #inclusivefashion

Thank you @understatement_underwear for the wonderful gift. I really love this leopard print set!
#nothingbuttperfect
#nofilter
#weloveourunderwear
@golden_age_models

Thank you @londonrepresents and @bullockinclusion for a great evening of amazing fashion, I loved the Brazilian touch! Honoured to be part of it. Too many people to thank individually - designers, fellow models, makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers and videographers. Huge thanks to everyone involved!
#diversitymatters #diversityinfashion #londonfashionweek

Only two days to go!
@londonfashionweek @bullockinclusion @mrsrobinsonmgt

Grateful to all who made it possible!

#runwayshow #runwayfashion #modelling #oldermodel #runwaymodel #modellife

Feeling sluggish? Same here! I am a regular Sleeker, but come January my energy drops and I tend to skip classes. But now I am getting back on track by joining the @sleektechnique February Challenge — 21 days of one class a day. It’s already making a huge difference, I feel energised and motivated. Join the challenge and experience the benefits of regular exercise and healthy habits, you won’t regret it.
#sleekchallenge #sleektechnique #smallchanges #habitbuilding #februarychallenge #dancefitness #balletfitness

Back at the amazing @rivoliballroom where over ten years ago I shot a fashion film for @saloniofficial directed by @marieschuller. This time it was for a shoot with award winning photographer @julia_fullertonbatten. Love the styling by @mairjoint_stylist the hair by @danieldyer72 and the make up by @pablo_rodriguez_makeup . Loved working with the beautiful Mercy! ! Watch out for the final images. Thank you Julia!
#photoshoot #modellife #amazinglocations

Delighted to be participating as a model in the Future of Fashion runway show on 22nd February, for London Fashion Week @londonfashionweek. Thank you @bullockinclusion and thank you to all the sponsors:
@atmos @londonkindred @riocafeuk @beths.uk @thearcheswinebar @lifeatzebra
Thanks also to @d_ren_1 for being on hand for questions!
I hope to see you all on 22nd Feb.
#runwayshow #fashioninclusion #ethicalfashion #modelling #oldermodel #silverhair #londonfashionweek2025

(Apologies for that white line across the photo, I was not able to remove it)

New Year, new portfolio images! Huge thanks to Mrs Robinson Management @mrsrobinsonmgt who represent me as a Retro model, and photographer Edo Brugué @edodreamstudio. And next week I am off to Milan to work on a fashion film produced by Basement HQ @basementheadquarter. Here’s to a luminous 2025! As my 68th birthday is approaching I am grateful for everything life has handed me, the good and the bad…
Most of the clothes in the photos are mine, including a unique piece by artist/designer Elena Campa @elena___campa

#oldermodel #silverhairedmodel #retromodel #fashionmodel #modellife

I posed for this shot by @julienmartinezleclerc a few years ago. I was meant to be a corpse in a coffin. There is a superstition that says if you lie in a coffin you will be dead within the year. I am still very much alive several years after the shoot and I absolutely love this photo! I am not superstitious and besides, without wanting to sound morbid, it’s worth remembering that death comes for everyone, usually when you least expect it, so there is no point in indulging in superstitious beliefs.
#playingdead #superstitions #blackandwhitephotography #modelling

Some stills from the new music video by @luvcatband , Dinner @ Brasserie Zèdel
It was a fun shoot, thank you everyone!
Director: Ollie Bradley-Baker & Luvcat
Producer: Ben Carey & Ollie Bradley-Baker
DOP: Natalja Safronova
Art Director: Ellen Amann Johns
Gaffer: Michal Kedracki
AC: Kristiana Zhekova
Editor & Colourist: Ollie Bradley-Baker

#luvcat #musicvideo

Soon it’s going to be Christmas and then a new year. I wanted to get ready for 2025 so I worked with @edodreamstudio to revamp my portfolio at the suggestion of my primary model agency @mrsrobinsonmgt . And what a great suggestion it was! I love the results even though this is just BTS stuff!. I had lost confidence and faith in myself as a model but working with Edo energised me. It’s a tad too soon but here’s to a wonderful 2025. I do not think I am ready to retire from modelling, not as I thought I was 😊
#stillgotit #silverhairedmodel #alexb

I’ve been busy reorganizing my Substack, gathering in one place articles, interviews and papers I’ve written over the years. Reflecting on my visibility as an older model, I often wrote about ageism, going grey, and being a woman in fashion. Those pieces are now over a decade old, yet we’re still having the same conversations. While I’m thrilled for the newer faces representing older women, I can’t help but feel that the progress has been very slow. The presence of older models in fashion should have been normalized by now.
And yes, the persistent stereotypes in advertising (hello “sprightly granny cooking for her pets”—a role I turned down!) remind me how much work still needs to be done.
Here’s to progress in 2025! If you’d like to read my earlier pieces or comment, head to substack.com/ @alexb244. Many older online articles may no longer be available on their original websites, but I’ve preserved them. Incidentally on my Substack you will also find a podcast series dating back to 2016 on body issues and body image. Have a listen!

Let’s keep the conversation alive! 💬✨

#AgePositive #FashionOver50 #AgeDiversity #OlderModels #SubstackWriter #Reflections #WomenInFashion #AntiAgeism #GreyHairJourney #SustainableFashion #FashionAndIdentity
@vestojco_op
@ageismisneverinstyle
@her_edit
@ageing_better

At Westminster today the assisted dying bill is finally being debated. Please show your support by going to the rally outside Parliament, between 9 am and 12 pm, even if only for ten minutes. Please do not be swayed by the arguments of the no supporters. Assisted dying is not about taking money away from the NHS! It’s a lie! Assisted dying is about choice, not coercion. It’s about dying with dignity.
#sayyes #assisteddying #dyingwithdignity

*** It has passed! We are heading in the right
direction! ***

@humanists_uk

Thank you @marianchen20 and your team for today’s shoot. Thank you also @rosselladmn for the great photos and @mrsrobinsonmgt for arranging it. Can’t wait for the end product! Shot at @istitutomarangoni_london
#olderwoman #oldermodel #notyet

These portraits of me and designer @francescaiaconisi were taken last month in Lecce at the atelier @silentedesign after a photoshoot styled by @silviadongiovanni with photos and videos by @antonio_cavallo__ and a great make up by @miriam_imbrogno_makeup_artist
It was a great experience to be photographed in Lecce’s ‘centro storico’ only a few yards from an old apartment my family had once occupied. I wore Francesca’s designs. Watch this space for more photos from the shoot. These are BTS, post shoot.
#fashionshoot #ecoresponsiblebrand #apulia #oldermodel #silverhair

My grandfather’s top hat has had another outing! Thank you @jennieblythephotography for these images. My grandfather’s top hat was made in the 1920s by hand and I am so proud to have inherited it!
#vintage #vintagestyle #modelling

I am absolutely delighted to share my podcast for @latebloomerliving on a number of topics dear to my heart. Thank you @latebloomerliving for inviting me to be your guest!
You can find the podcast on Podbean; here is the link
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/blog/episode-205-empowered-aging-a-conversation-about-life-death-and-dignity-with-alex-b
#podcast #modelandwriter #assisteddying #dignityindying

Last week I was in Lecce, Italy, guest of @stars_eu_funded and @d.e.m.o.group. It was a week of exchanges, meaningful connections and conversations about fashion sustainability with the Latvian partners. Head over to @stars_eu_funded account and watch this first reel with highlights of the meetings on day 1 - more to follow.
Thank you for having me!
#fashionsustainability #solidarityeconomy #southernitaly #latvia #fashionactivism

It’s always great to revisit a familiar place and uncover exciting new developments. Lecce, known as the baroque city par excellence, now has two fantastic new museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art: the Fiermonte Museum (@fiermontemuseum), previously known as MAMA, and the Fondazione Biscozzi-Rimbaud (@fondazionebiscozzirimbaud), both located in the heart of the centro storico.

Although different in their outlook and intent, both museums shine a light on the richness of modern and contemporary art with roots in Puglia, offering alternative narratives and perspectives. I spent a wonderful afternoon exploring their collections and chatting with Maura, the knowledgeable young woman in charge at Fiermonte Museum—her enthusiasm for modern art is truly contagious!
(The last shot is of a very artistic cactus)

Highly recommend a visit!

#Lecce
#BaroqueCity
#ModernArt
#ContemporaryArt
#PugliaArt
#ArtInLecce
#FiermonteMuseum
#FondazioneBiscozziRimbaud
#CentroStorico
#ArtLovers
#MuseumVisit
#ArtDiscoveries
#PugliaExperience
#ItalyTravel

I will be reading excerpts from my latest book Sustainable Fashion, Migrants, Embroidery. Ateliers of ‘social integration’ in a podcast on Substack. I will also be reading from my previous book, Contemporary Indonesian Fashion. Through the Looking Glass (2019) as some of the themes I explore in both books are connected. I hope you will join me on Substack and with your input - comments, suggestions - we can co-create this podcast!
#podcast #substack #conversation #conversationaboutfashion #model #writer #modelandwriter #fashionactivism #fashionactivismmovement

Thank you @stars_eu_funded for inviting me as a guest on your forthcoming podcast series, Green Dialogues, discussing my work in fashion and the two books I have published with @bloomsburyfashion , the first one on contemporary Indonesian fashion (2019) and the second, just out, on social tailoring and the economy of solidarity and sharing. I can’t wait to be sharing links!
#fashioresearch #fashionforsocialchange #podcastseries #writer #writersofinstagram #podcastersofinstagram ##fashionactivist #model
(Image courtesy of @stars_eu_funded)

The amazing Sylvia Gobbel @sylvia_gobbel! Together with Henrietta Allais - sorry I could not find the names of the other two girls - she was photographed by the great Helmut Newton for this famous dyptich which appeared in Vogue in 1982. It was such an iconic image! Back in 2010 the American photographer Stuart Bentley , who was visiting London, asked me to be in a remake of the ‘Naked’ picture - we had no clothes that would match the original haute couture of picture 1. It was meant to be a homage to the great Newton and to those beautiful models in the original. I felt rather nervous but I did it, the intention was good. Stuart photographed me in four different poses then joined the shots. It is what it is, a homage to the greats. I am such a fan of Sylvia and of Helmut Newton, it delights me to be able to share this picture (suitable censored) as a token of admiration.
#blackandwhite #greatphotographers #supermodelsoftheeighties #agencesilver #mrsrobinsonmanagement

I was in Bloomsbury today so I stopped by the @britishmuseum to view the Silk Road exhibition. It highlights the networks created by the ancients, the cultural exchanges that took place and which shaped our history beyond stereotypical notions of East and West. And yes, the British Museum is very crowded but not as crowded as the Paris Louvre where queues go round the block - I went there last Wednesday and gave up!
#silkroad #britishmuseumlondon #ancienthistory #networks #culturalexchange #exhibition

Rick Owens SS25 collection Hollywood presented at Palais de Tokyo as part of Paris Fashion Week was a part II to his earlier Men’s collection of June 2024. I will not discuss the concept and execution, you can find plenty of articles commenting on it. I loved being part of it and that haunting Wagnerian music will forever be etched in my memory. Included is a clip from the rehearsal with us wearing ponchos because of the rain
#rickowens #parisfashionweek #richardwagner #tristanundisolde #fashionart

I have had my debut on the runway at Paris Fashion Week @parisfashionweek walking for Mr Rick Owens @rickowensonline. I am delighted and feel very emotional. I have been a great admirer of Rick Owens’ style and aesthetics for years. I also like that he relies on atypical models to show off his collections, without a hint of tokenism. As a model I started off as an atypical model with Grey Model Agency @greymodelagency later ending up as a retro model with Mrs Robinson Management @mrsrobinsonmgt and doing occasional work for Crumb @crumbagency especially music videos. I am still very much an atypical model because of my look but also because modelling is something I do alongside other things – I am an author and for years I taught visual culture as a university professor. I would like to thank Mr Owens and AMC casting @a.m.c.casting especially Saffron Earle @saffronroseearle and of course Angus Munro @angusctmunro . I am also very grateful to Karine at Agence Silver @agencesilver for stepping in as my agency in France, necessary to walk PFW, and my dear friends Ira, designer at IA London @ia_london, for really pushing me to go to the final casting – I nearly chickened out – and Davide @monsieurdavid with whom I have worked a couple of times and who advised on how to present myself at the casting. And of course my family, especially my niece Miriam who helped me with a last minute return flight. I rarely write so much for a post, thanks for bearing with me.
(The original music for the show was Wagner, Tristan und Isolde, Prelude)

#ParisFashionWeek #RickOwens #RunwayDebut #AtypicalModel#MrsRobinsonManagement #AgePositive #DiversityInFashion #VisualCulture #ModelLife #PFW2024 #FashionIcons #BehindTheRunway

Visited @sothebys to experience the durational art piece by the versatile @fkatwigs - a remarkable two-hour and twenty-minute performance featuring 11 dancers in intense, energetic movements, deep squats, and dynamic dance sequences. Inspired by somatic movement and the endurance live art of Marina Abramovic, the performers’ commitment is undeniable. Their display of resistance, stamina, and unwavering focus was impressive.

#Sothebys #PerformanceArt #FKATwigs #LiveArt #ContemporaryArt #DurationalPerformance #MarinaAbramovic #ArtExhibition #ArtPerformance #LivePerformance #EnduranceArt #SomaticMovement #ArtExperience #ArtisticExpression

I finally managed to visit @fulhampalace! I used to live in Fulham and never went! And on the way I discovered the wonderful vintage boutique Black Tie White Noise. Mainly for gentlemen but with the occasional ladies item, especially shoes! Well, it is @londonfashionweek after all!
#lovefulham #vintageclothing #vintagefashion #secondhandseptember

Thank you @latebloomerliving

#dignityindying #righttodie #ageing #endoflifechoices #podcastguest #thoughtprovokingconversation

@humanists_uk

Thank you @monsieurdavid for these beautiful shots! My portfolio is enhanced by them!
(Davide is available for portraits/portfolio updates pls contact him if interested)
#portraitphotography #blackandwhite #modelling #portfolioupdate

I visited the @vamuseum today and saw the ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition which presents highlights from the photographic collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish. It’s an extraordinary collection consisting of real gems. I think I will go back to see it. John and Furnish have wide interests and their photographs include rare images by masters of the art as well as images by contemporary photographers including Chinese political activists. Absolutely worth a visit. As I was there, I also went to see ‘Naomi’ the exhibition charting supermodel Naomi Campbell’s career. What was that famous quote? If you can’t say something nice…well since the exhibition was partly funded with public money I will say, to be nice, that the frocks were superlative (none of them belonging to the supermodel btw). The most interesting section of the exhibition was the little corner devoted to the trailblazers, meaning the black models who shook the fashion scene. Now that would have made an interesting exhibition in itself. What else can I say? You tell me!
#exhibitions #victoriaandalbertmuseum #fragilebeauty #naomi

‘There are rivers in the sky’ is the intriguing new novel by @shafakelif. It opens with a description of Niniveh and king Ashurbanipal and a single drop of water falling on his head. From there different stories interweave. I was by the @britishmuseum today so I went in to admire the Assyrian collection of statues and bas-reliefs. The Assyrians were highly accomplished but brutal and implacable, even by ancient standards. Niniveh was a magnificent city, with one of the largest libraries of antiquity.
‘There are rivers in the sky’ is beautifully written and really worth digging into.
#booksofinstagram
#ancientmesopotamia
#summerreadinglist
#elifshafak

I meant to go to the #nottinghillcarnival but at the last minute I bailed out - I just cannot be in a crowd, it makes me anxious. So I got off the tube at Green Park and walked to #kensingtonpalace. So glad I did! I caught the ‘Untold Lives’ exhibition which is quite unique. The curators have done their best to highlight the concerted effort required to run a royal household. As Sebastian Edwards, Deputy Chief Curator and Head of Collections at Historic Royal Palaces, says “We wanted to explore their origins and identities, their essential and unexpected skills – and the intimate roles many of them had caring for members of the royal family.”. Mission accomplished! It is an exhibition I highly recommend, unsettling though it may be.
#untoldlives #kesingtonpalace #historicpalaces

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