Fashion Bin: Juergen Teller

Keeping it real is the theme du jour at That's Not My Age but I can't help wondering whether Juergen Teller's photos of Kristen McMenamy, 46, are a step too far. I understand Teller's warts and all aesthetic - it was provocative and refreshing in the nineties - but that was 20 years ago. Now his work feels tired, and insensitive as far as older models are concerned. Need I mention the Vivienne Westwood ad campaigns? I'm all for wrinkles over Botox, reality over Photoshop but this shoot for style mag 032c (a beautiful magazine that's maybe missed the mark this time) is deeply unappealing.




Naked pilates anyone?




Just be grateful I didn't include the bum hole shot.

Does this Juergen Teller shoot make the world a richer place? I think not. There's only one place for it:



Your comments, please...

Year-round style

August. The month when That's Not My Age has one eye on the dishevelled sale rail (so what if it's jammed at the back of the store right next to the toilets, I have no shame when it comes to a bargain) and the other on the shiny new autumn/winter collections. Fashion is a topsy-turvy world and, when the seasons change over, it's best to stick to timeless styles that work all year round. Which is why I love this outfit from Hobbs (A/W2010). A Breton top and maxi skirt - OK that's a sweater in the picture but it could easily be a t-shirt - look just as fabulous teamed with plimsolls in summer, as with classic brogues and argyle socks in autumn. Talk about easy style.

And, sorry can't get Kristen McMenamy, 46, out of my head - Hobbs' gorgeous shearling coat instantly brought the middle-aged crush du jour to mind. As seen in the latest issue of Dazed and Confused.




Not sure about you but think I prefer the Vogue fashion story.


Do you have any transitional fashion favourites?

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.