The Style List

Breaking news, people! Today Debenhams launch their latest campaign featuring older models, from left to right: Caroline Josling, 52, Valerie Pain, 66, and Maxine Smith, 41. In collaboration with fashion commentator, Caryn Franklin, the high street retailer plans to 'give ongoing solutions, advice and guidance on how 40+ women can achieve any desired look.' The project called The Style List will be delivered in stores, online and through photography.

Franklin says, 'It’s been really fulfilling to create shots that celebrate the wonder of getting older. It’s important to challenge what we see in our media with a broader reflection of beauty. Enjoy the magic of these women, their confidence, their attitudes and their allure. These wonderful faces express the joy of getting older - not something we see enough of.'




All commendable stuff but the accompanying press release claiming that DEBENHAMS TARGETS ‘FORGOTTEN WOMEN’ WITH GROUND BREAKING CAMPAIGN (dare I mention Levi's, Gap, Twiggy for Marks & Spencer and Dove?) is poorly conceived and tactless. Debenhams are right to take action, I just wish they'd asked Caryn Franklin to write the press release.


Read more about the project here

Glad to be grey

Grey hair had a bit of a fashion moment earlier this year when the likes of Tavi, Pixie Geldof and Kate Moss joined the blue rinse brigade. Actually, word on the blogosphere was that Kate Moss had been over doing it with the dry shampoo but that's another story. And now the fad for young whippersnappers to tint their follicles has passed, it's up to the grown-ups to keep it real. Praise then to Kristen McMenamy who stopped dyeing her hair six years ago and says, 'You can get older and still be rock 'n' roll.' The 46-year-old silver fox and TNMA pin-up looks beyond amazing in this photo shoot for Vogue.

Anyway, enough about her, let's talk about me. That's Not My Age has a Caryn Franklin-style grey streak. It appeared during my late twenties and I subsequently spent years and a fair amount of hard-earned cash paying someone to dye over it. Until one day, a new hairdresser told me they liked it, that I should grow it out and make a statement. So I did. Fast-forward to summer 2010 and er, grey is the new black. Why, even Tom Jones has ditched the dye and gone au naturel.



On the rocks: That's Not My Age keeping it real.



That's not me, that's fashion broadcaster, Caryn Franklin.




The lovely Daphne Selfe, 81, models Sykes and a grey barnet, at London Fashion Week.



Jewellery designer, Sheila Teague, 57, loves platinum and silver.



Textile designer, Charlene Mullen, 46, shows off her handiwork and her silver-streaked hair.



The fabulously talented, Wendy Dagworthy, 60, head of the school of fashion and textiles at the Royal College of Art says, 'I think it adds character. Grey hair looks good - it's all about accepting your age and what you are.'


So, is grey here to stay? What do you think?


Photos

Kristen McMenamy and Caryn Franklin: Vogue
Daphne Selfe: Catwalking
Kristen McMenamy quote: Vogue

And I'd like to say a special thanks to blogger Charlotte OC for drawing my attention to Kristen McMenamy's platinum do.