I’m constantly astounded by all the formulas and fillers and surgeries and suction and other stuff women do in desperation to drink every last drop from the fountain of youth. So it was a rare treat recently to see a woman on a movie screen who’s over a certain age—and actually looks it.
It’s NOT a surprise —that the movie was a documentary.
It IS a surprise—that it’s The September Issue—-the film about Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue. A magazine so far from anything resembling reality—seems like the last place you’d find a real woman who looks her real age. And I don’t mean Anna. If you have seen the film, you know I mean the real star of the movie—- my new role model: Grace Coddington.
She sticks out like a sore thumb—in the movie and in real life.
I admit I was captivated— just seeing another woman my age with more hair than I have.
But it’s not just the wild red mane. Grace has it all.
Talent—- a former model who is now the creative director of Vogue.
Power—-in a tough business, she’s managed to survive and get the ear to the throne.
Courage—not just to stand up for herself, but to stand up and be herself.
Confidence: Living inside a fashionista’s fantasy, swimming upstream in a sea of Botox, not to mention working with Anna, Grace has undoubtedly earned every crease.
Comfortable shoes— She might be the only woman at Vogue who doesn’t have an intimate relationship with a plastic surgeon and a podiatrist.
Whether you’ve seen the film or not, (click here if you haven’t) I think women owe a debt of gratitude to anyone who demonstrates what it means to age Grace-fully.
P.S: V and I saw this movie a couple weeks ago and haven’t discussed it since—but Grace has been on my mind. So tonight I write this post, then get dressed to go out to dinner—in this offbeat jacket I never wear. V has no idea what I wrote; but when he sees me, he remarks that the jacket looks like something Grace Coddington would wear.
V meant well; but trust me, Grace would never be caught dead in my jacket. Still, I take this as another sign from the universe— letting me know I’ve achieved my own state of Grace.
Cross-posted on the Huffington Post.
amyz5 says
beautiful
Kathy Sena - Parent Talk Today says
WONDERFUL post! Now I really can’t wait to see the movie to check out Grace. Just shared this on my FB page. And I’ll be back for more of your writing. Love it here.
Denise Fisher says
My sentiments EXACTLY…I thought the same thing about her hair (I have TONS of hair), but more importantly how confident she is, and comfortable with HERSELF..so rare. It was absolutely refreshing to see older women in exciting jobs instead of 20 somethings…I second the motion on Grace..awesome…
Because I am looking for a job,( and I generally work in retail industries) where age appearance are numero uno) the movie was a confidence booster. Let’s toast the women over 50!
Oh, and who says women over 50 can wear hair below the shoulders?
Darryle Pollack says
Thank you to 3 amazing women—and thanks to Twitter for connecting me with you. How great is it that we can all get together and toast Grace in cyberspace!
debi drecksler says
I am not famous nor will I ever be on cover of Vogue but like Grace I wear my long red hair flowing down my back. I’m 58 and I like my “real” face and wouldn’t change a thing. I remember back in high school when beautiful girls were running to have nose jobs and I wondered why they didn’t like the faces they with born with? It is an attitude that starts as children. It’s sad..don’t you think??
Darryle Pollack says
I’m with you and Grace. I do think it’s sad and I do think it starts in childhood—and it’s obviously gotten worse when today’s beautiful girls are not only getting nose jobs but breast implants as high school graduation gifts. I could go on about this subject for hours…..don’t get me started.
Ron says
Was a little disappointed with “September Issue” but absolutely loved, loved seeing Grace Coddington stand up to Anna. My wife and I have followed Grace’s career since her modeling days and we sort of knew about her almost contentious relationship with Anna but were delighted to see her in action. And, in the end, Anna really gave her the highest praise as a “genius” and really one of the prime reasons for their success at Vogue.
Darryle Pollack says
You are far more worldly than I am—I never heard of Grace until I saw the film. Though Anna gave her the highest praise, I wonder how she really feels now that Grace has been “exposed”—not only as part of the secret behind Vogue’s success—but as the real star of the movie.
Marla Wentner says
I must comment that Grace Coddington’s partner for 20 years is a man who is one of the most sought after hair stylists in New York.
I do think that is ironic. I loved her in the documentary, and had to read more and more about her after seeing “The September Issue”.
Darryle Pollack says
I’ve been reading more about her , too but didn’t read that—she has a hair stylist for a partner and her hair looks like that? Just more proof that her hair–and Grace—have a mind of their own.