Advanced Style

Woo hoo! Last night, That's Not My Age met Ari Seth Cohen the genius behind the Advanced Style blog. And, let me tell you I was giddy with excitement - a feature on Advanced Style in The Guardian a couple of years back, is what inspired me to start blogging in the first place, so this really was a poignant, blog-tastic moment. At 28 years-old, ASC may be a young whippersnapper but his work is truly inspirational. Ari trawls the streets of New York - and now London - looking for fabulously stylish older folks to photograph. Yesterday he met the totally gorgeous, Gitte Lee (above), ex-model and wife of legendary actor, Sir Christopher Lee. Just look at that outfit. Effortlessly chic, or what?

And this 96 year-old chap, who lives in Spitalfields and dresses up every day.



Mr Advanced Style is in London working on a project for Selfridges. The Forever Shop is a celebration of the savoir-faire and wisdom that come with age and includes the first ever exhibition of ASC's photos together with design classics curated by Sir Paul Smith, Michelle Ogundehin and Alannah Weston.



So, I got chance to share a plate of mezze and have a chat with the lovely Ari Seth Cohen:

TNMA: What's the style difference between London and New York?

ASC: A lot of people I've spoken to in London describe their style as very classic - and I have seen a lot of beige! - whereas I think New Yorkers take greater risks. Though because of the heatwave people aren't so dressed up in either city, and I have found two of the best people I've ever shot in London.

TNMA: What is Advanced Style?

ASC: It's about personal style and embracing the ageing process. I love the elegance and glamour I see in 70, 80, 90 year-olds wearing clothes they've had for 50 years, matching a hat and a purse, wearing gloves. It's the way they put things together. It's not about vanity. They're doing it for themselves because it makes them feel good and lifts the spirits. They're vibrant and vital and I love the stories they tell. I hear the most wonderful things, the experiences I have make me feel like the luckiest person in the world. Young people can learn a lot from older people.

TNMA: Who are your Advanced Style heroes? And who would you like to photograph?

ASC: Iris Apfel and Beatrix Ost are two of my favourites. And I'd love to meet Anna Piaggi and Vivienne Westwood, women with a strong personal style.

TNMA: You seem to have a coterie of Advanced Style regulars, do you have any plans to build on this in the future?

ASC: I've become friends with about 10 ladies - and now they've all started meeting each other and exchanging advice. It's great that I'm connecting older people. I want to give them a voice, get them to write. I'd love to do a makeover show where old people show young people how to dress!

TNMA: How are you going to dress when you're older?

ASC: I'm really inspired by the people I meet, say, a man in a green suit, scarf and hat. I'm a little eccentric so I'm drawn to eccentricity but I wouldn't want to look like I'm trying too hard.

And last but not least, this is Ari's mum, Frances, 60, who is in town too, and like Ari is adorable. Though we did have to drag her away from the Chanel counter in Selfridges to go find a cold drink and something to eat (Frances if you're reading this, buy that last red lipstick you tried on!)



Forever Shop is in the Wonder Room Concept Store, Selfridges from July 14 - August 15 2010.

Quote of the week: Mamy Rock

The 69-year old DJ and That's Not My Age regular, who says, 'I'd rather sign a contract with a record company than sign-up for a nursing home,' is playing at my next big birthday party, alright?

What do you think's on Mamy Rock's playlist?




PS Thanks to Advanced Style for drawing my attention to the fabulous photo gallery at www.mamyrock.com.

Style at any age

That's Not My Age has been thinking a lot about an article written by Sarah Mower in last week's Daily Telegraph. Mower discusses the lack of mid-range and high street clothes for older women and asks the British fashion industry to 'give the over fifties a break.' Now, I'm not there yet, but she does have a point. What to wear if a chambray playsuit or sheer babydoll frock is out of the question? How to look timeless and stylish at any age? To help figure out this fashion conundrum, I've come up with four rules for ageless style:

1. Do not try to dress like a young person. Rocking all the latest looks is more ageing than Slimma slacks and a bubble perm. As The Guardian proves every week when they publish pictures like this:


I love seeing older women in the press and on the fashion pages, but this is just tokenism. It's patronising, undignified and plain wrong! Now could somebody please tell that to the Guardian Weekend's stylist.

Perhaps he/she should take a look at The Times, they're so much better at this kind of thing:

The Guardian's problem stems from the fact that they dress the older model in the same way as the younger models and it just doesn't look convincing. (Actually, young or old I'm not quite sure who would want to wear the outfit above.) The grown-up lady looks contrived and uncomfortable - and the clothes never seem to fit properly. It's fine to look current but the key is not to try too hard to look hip, young and down with your daughter. Rather than head-to-toe street-style, just integrate one key piece - a leather biker jacket, a boyfriend jacket - into your existing wardrobe and avoid the dreaded mutton (pronounced moo-ton for extra effect)/lamb scenario. Or in my case, make that lecturer dressed as student.


2. Develop a singular style. These are the words of the talented designer and all-round lovely person, Joe Casely-Hayford, 53. Pictured here with his son, Charlie and fashion technician, Valentina Elizabeth, 45. (Mrs Casely-Hayford is equally lovely but unfortunately she side-stepped the photo opportunity). I hijacked the Casely-Hayfords at the 'My Favourite Dress' book launch on Monday.


'Over forties look fantastic,' adds Mr C-H, 'they have style awareness, which evolves over time giving more substance and measure.' Yep. As you get older you do develop your own look, know what works and what doesn't - and realise that often it's best to keep it simple.


3. Don't be afraid to experiment. Just take a look at Advanced Style, Ari Cohen's brilliant blog showcasing 'creative older folks'. Those senior citizens of New York City certainly know how to make a style statement. Or follow the Casely-Hayford ethos and 'express free spirit with very particular gestures of English sartorialism.' J C-H sites Zandra Rhodes as his favourite example of singular style. True, that. (oops pardon me for slipping into The Wire-speak). Rhodes may not be eveyone's cup of tea, but she's got a well-defined look, that's for sure. And, she was in the room at the time!


And, it'd be rude not to mention, Suzy Menkes, whose hair has a singular style of its own.

4. Be confident. Easier said than done? Follow rules 1,2 and 3, and you'll definitely feel more confident. As Anthony Price says (I hijacked him too), 'Jerry Hall's daughters look good, but will they ever look as good as Jerry? I doubt it. She has confidence and poise.'



What are your tips for ageless style?


Jane Birkin photos from Vogue, July 2007