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Not just for the young and fabulous!
Last Monday saw the yearly Met Gala in New York City hosted by the wonderfully talented Anna Wintour and Oprah Winfrey, looking radiant in their designer gowns. How lovely does Oprah look in her navy blue ruffled floor length gown? And Anna, editor of fashion magazine Vogue, was dressed by Chanel. Diane Vin Furstenburg looked as elegant as ever, although her dress did remind me of a national flag for some reason. Probably the stars! Keep up the good work ladies, it just goes to show, you dont have to be young to look fabulous.
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THE UNSINKABLE MISS REYNOLDS
After more than six decades at the top, Debbie Reynolds is about to tour the UK with her sparky and irreverent stage show. Exclusive interview by Garth Pearce
She was America’s sweetheart. She became a major film star at just 20 thanks to the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain, and went on to become one of the world’s most popular singers, a show-stopper in Las Vegas and an Oscar-nominated actress (for The Unsinkable Molly Brown).
Now she’s set to return to Britain for the first time in 35 years to perform her funny and fast-tempo variety show, Alive and Fabulous, on a 15-date tour before appearing in London’s West End. And she does, indeed, look and sound fabulous, with glitzy £15,000 costumes, some familiar songs, cheeky impressions and irreverent stories about her Hollywood life. And she’s not above having a little dig at Elizabeth Taylor, the woman who stole her husband back in the Fifties. Taylor is the older woman, she points out (but only by three months). As audiences in America have discovered, she can be very funny doing impressions of Clark Gable, Mae West, Katharine Hepburn or Barbra Streisand. Variety critic Steven Suskin wrote: “This spunky powder keg is no longer cute as a button. Her voice wavers here and there, but she is showmanship incarnate and well-nigh unsinkable.”
We met after one of her shows, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she performed before 1,000 rapturous fans. It soon became clear that Debbie believes in talking frankly – both on and off the stage.
She recalls that when she married the singer Eddie Fisher in 1955, it was the showbiz wedding of the year. But at the age of 26, after having two young children, Carrie and Todd, she was involved in one of the biggest postwar scandals in Hollywood. Fisher, then 30, left her for Elizabeth Taylor. Her adoring fans were both horrified and fascinated. How could wholesome girl-next-door Debbie, who had been signed at 16 by the industry’s biggest studio, MGM, be dumped so cruelly?
Taylor had already been married three times and was known as one of the world’s great beauties. “Elizabeth could have any man she wanted – and she wanted mine,” Debbie reflects. “What chance did I have? If she wanted you, that was it. Very few women have that kind of power – and who could have turned her down?”
Debbie Reynolds now regards the affair and her subsequent divorce in May, 1959 – Fisher married Taylor within days – as the biggest turning point of her life. It resulted in a litany of failed marriages and misery for all concerned.
Fisher, now 81, a self-confessed former drug addict, has been married five times and battles illness alone. Taylor, 78, had seven husbands and eight marriages, two of them to Richard Burton. Debbie, now 77, had two more marriages, both ending in financial disaster.
But more than half a century after her first marriage failed, Debbie has emerged as the long-term survivor and winner. She enjoys good health, lives happily and in some style in Los Angeles near her famous actress/writer daughter, Carrie Fisher, and 17-year-old granddaughter, and still plays to packed houses across America.
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TWIGGY HITS FASHION WEEK
Here is Twiggy at Stella McCartneys catwalk show front row, proving she still has what it takes to mix with the fashion pack. Fresh from shooting her new Marks and Spencers summer campaign the model looks radiant. Twiggy, if you didn’t know has released her own bed linen collection.
For over forty years, Twiggy’s timeless persona, name and face have been synonymous with style and beauty in the world of fashion and beyond. She is internationally famous, respected and trusted worldwide as representing everything good about British culture.
Quintessentially classic! Twiggys’s passion for pattern and texture with rich fabrics and decoration is never more apparent than with her latest ‘Heritage’ collection. Take a look at the collection here.
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EVERYBODY HAS INSECURITIES
Reading through my Stylist magazine this week, a free lifestyle magazine handed out in London, Leeds, and Manchester I came across an interview with the gorgeous Meryl Streep, who is a suprising 60 year old. With the lead up to Oscars, Meryl is up for another gong for her leading role in Julie and Julie. The actress has been nominated a whopping 16 times, yet only winning twice, so fingers crossed, it is thirs time lucky. Here is an extract from Stylist magazine’s interview with the star.
You’re being commended yet again for one of your performences: do you ever get bored with hearing how brilliant you are?
Yes, its such a terrible burden (laughs)! Can you imagine if someone kept saying, “You’re just the best writer I’ve ever read ever!” I dont think you’d ever get tired of it. You might not believe it, but…
Surely by now you have developed some self-belief?
I believe that I have something of value but one never knows if it’s going to turn up on this particular job. There are so many uncertainties and I just feel very lucky. Everybody has insecurities, who doesn’t?
Julie is obsessed with food and cooking in Julie and Julia. Is that anything like you?
Playing her definately meant that I improved in the kitchen. My problem is timing; getting everything out at the same time. When my children were growing up, cooking for them was the least satisfying thing in the world, “I don’t like that! I’m not eating that!”
Do you watch your weight?
No, but I should! I’m going to start a fitness regime, soon. I can’t eat the way they did in Julie and Julia; opulent meal after opulent meal. I prefer to eat something fantastic a couple of times a week, then eat simple things at home. Many women don’t have a healthy relationship with food and are terrified of it (makes a scared, horrified face then laughs).
Do you ever feel pressure from Hollywood to succumb to surgery?
No. Though there are whole cities in our country where people look at you as if you’re insane if you haven’t had something done.
Do you think it was easier for you starting out 39 years ago?
The world was different when I was a young actress. These days there’s so much scrutiny, everyone’s so self aware, and that self-conciousness is the thing that kills your acting ability. What you look like, and how you seem, is all young actors consume themselves with instead of thier characters. It makes it so much harder to be fresh each time.
Two fo your children, Henry and Mamie, are actors now, did you ever try and steer them away from that?
Of course! When they were little I pushed them into studying sciences, I thought that was a very good idea.
Do they ever ask for advice on following in your footsteps?
(Laughs) No way, that’s not something your children do. They give you advice about you don’t know.
Do you ever get starstruck?
Oh yes. I went to the White House for the Kennedy Centre Awards and was starstuck by President Obama and the First Lady. I was even starstruck by Bruce Springsteen who was also attending the same night.
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THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SARAH JESSICA PARKER
- Its so ironic that for the earliest part of your life, all you do is try to be like everyone else. Then you turn 30, and realise all you want to do is distinguish yourself.
- I’m flattered by the connection with women. Almost everything I do outside work, I want to do for them.
- I don’t wear designer gear around the house – it’s not practical. I’m a mother first and getting my son out of the house to school allows little time for vanity.
- Often, I’ll go to the market, and women say, ‘Can I see your shoes?’, and them I show them I’m wearing flipflops.
- Intorerance, small-mindedness and ignorant ideas make me angry. People seem to enjoy vulgarity.
- When I arrived in the city in 1976, New York was financially a wreck. But to me it’s the New York that Matthew and I try to find everyday. It was the best place in the world – it promised everything.
- Its hard to describe how love works or why. If we all understood it, we would be more helpful to those who can’t find it.
- If I had been a privileged child, I wouldn’t be the working person I am today. I have a great appreciation for work.
- I come from a big family – I’m fourth of eight children. A few years ago, I found all our baby books. My two older brothers’ were filled with pictures. Mine only had my name on it. I’ve been starved for attention ever since.
- I don’t think anybody wants to believe that I love Kim (Cattrall). I adore her. I wouldn’t have done the movie without her.
- Having a child changed me. Before, I would have sacrificed myself for my work. After, I didn’t want the miss anything – not even bath times.
Did you hear about the Morgans is out now at cinemas country wide
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INTERVIEW WITH SANDY VERDON
The brains behind Hobb’s new label, NW3, creative director Sandy Verdon talks to Red Magazine through her style favourites
What are your must-haves for spring?
With the resurgence of denim, I love the workwear-inspired styles from Twenty8Twelve. I’ll wear them with tomatoe red brogues from Hobbs, which will take me through to summer.
What about year-round essentials?
Whatever the season, I like wearing natural fabrics. In winter, thats riding boots with sweater dresses and a cashmere coat, while in summer, I go for linen, cotton and silk. NW3 has an amazing linen biker jacket, which I can’t wait to get my hands on.
Any other high-street favourites>
I love Toast for exquisite hand-knits and Accessorize for jewellery.
What about designer lables?
Stella McCartney for tailoring, Marni for fabulous prints, Dries van Noten for embellishment and Sonia Rykiel for knitwear.
Who’s in your secret style address book?
In Primrose Hill, there is a vintage shop called Shika Suki (shikasuki.com), which has an amazing collection of vintage Ossie Clark and 1970′s finds.
Other shopping hotspots?
I love shopping emporium, so London’s Dover Street Market (doverstreetmarket.com) and Le Bon Marche in Paris (lebonmarche.com) are two of my favourites. 
Whats your best ever buy?
Vintage riding boots by Henry Maxwell – identical to those worn by Nicole Kidman in Australia
Who has great style?
Kristin Scott Thomas is the ultimate in aristocratic beauty and Alexa Chung epitomises the young style icon.
Whats the most you’ve ever spent on one item?
Being a Yorkshire girl, I’m careful with money. £1,500 is my limit – I recently spent that on a Stella McCartney coat.
If your wardrobe was on fire, which three items would you save?
That Stella coat! My black over-the-knee Hobbs boots, which are the most comfortable things ever. I’ve also got a beaded 1930s flapper dress that is so beautiful it should be a museum piece.
What were the last things you put on your credit card?
A Diptyque candle, as I’ve just been to Hong Kong and I always buy one for my hotel room, Marc Jacobs Lola perfume for my daughter and Sainsbury’s shopping.
What are your make-up bag essentials?
YSL Touche Eclat and mascara, red Chanel lipstick and a Boots No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Highland Mist – I always buy three at a time.
Any other beauty favourites?
The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream is fantastic and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and Masks.
What are the best things in life?
Time with my children and friends, shopping in Selfridges and Liberty, and dinner at Sevva in Hong Kong (sevvahk.com). It has amazing views over the city.
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KELLY HOPPEN FIFTY PLUS
You have an interiors shop, an oversubscribed design school and your own interior range, and were made an MBE in 2009. Do you feel like you can relax now?
I had no idea it was coming up, I got a letter from the Queen stating that I’d been given the honour, completely out of the blue. You’re not supposed to tell anyone but I wasn’t good at that – I told about 100 friends.
With high profile career and clients including the Beckhams, do you ever feel overwhelmed or find balancing your work and personal life hard?
Sometimes it’s hard to find the balance. The only time I can relax is when I’m on holiday. I’m up early and train five or six days a week with a personal trainer, so I can’t go to as many parties as I’d like. It’s my business and it’s my responsibility I take seriously. Victoria Beckham is one of my best girlfriends so I’d never be nervous around her. I’ve been star struck one before but once you realise that movie stars are the same as normal people, I’ve never felt nervous.
You’re twice divorced and have had high-profile relationships with Jamie Theakston, Jamie Foxx, footballer Sol Campbell and celebrity hairdresser, Nicky Clarke. Do relationships get easier with age?
I don’t think so. All my relationships have been chilled, including the one I’m in now. Perhaps not the one last year…(Kelly split from Clarke in April amid allegations he was unfaitful) I’ve never given marriage a thought in this relationship but I’m very happy.
You once said you’ve had a “colourful life” with “no regrets” and there’s even been talk of an autobiography. Are there any more goals you’ve yet to achieve?
I’d love to travel more – I plan to go to Brazil, Argentina and Australia. I’d love to design room sets for films or a musical. I’m a huge fan of both.
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JULIE WALTERS TO PLAY MO MOWLAM
Later this month channel four airs it new film, Mo, staring non other than fab over 50 Julie Walters. The film follows Mo’s rise in the labour government, focusing on her involvment in the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement. Stylist magazine, a free magazine out every Wednesday spoke to Julie about the film.
What was it that you admired about Mo Mowlam?
I loved her, I think eveyone did. Besides Tony Blair, Mo was the one politician at the time that everyone knew. You have to be able to talk to people like human beings, and that’s what Mo could do.
What suprised you about Mo when you read the script?
I knew she was extrovert and funny, but I didn’t know that she used to show her knickers in meetings. She did that quite frequently.
But she made a massive impact in Northern Ireland…
Yes, they needed Tony Blair to deal with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, but Mo was the one people loved on the streets. They trusted her, and quite rightly.
Was it difficult to shave your head?
It was, but you can’t hide a thing when you film in high definition. I wasnt completely bald, I had hair round the sides – I looked like some weird kind of monk! At first I didn’t want to show my husband and my daughter.
How do you think Mo contrast with the politicians today?
Well, it would certainly be nice if a few more were like her, rather than looking out for thier own careers…
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NINE PREMIER
How utterly fabulous does Dame Judi Dence look in green at the premier of Nine, a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penélope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), a young American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Stacy “Fergie” Furguson) and his mother (Sophia Loren). This an all star cast and whilst the younger ones lapped up the spotlight, it was Dame Judi that stole the glamour in her lime green, full length Betty Jackson gown. Take a look and see what you think. I personally think shes continues to get better as the years go by.
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The Best Week on Channel Four
I know I went on about channel 4′s over sixty week last time but ive really enjoyed this week so far! Ive learnt how to look good naked, then I found the most perfect retirement home to settle in when that time comes (no doubt pretty soon the way my daughters talk sometimes!) and last night I looked into relocating, relocating and some more relocating! Its nice to see that some people have the same issues as me and my hubby.
You see he wants to move now the children have moved out (well when I say moved, the youngest girl is back home after graduating but I fully expect her to be out by the start of next year) and I want to stay put.
All our family memories are here so why would I want to move somewhere else. Its hard for a mother when all her children leave the nest. Sometimes its felt like that me and the hubby are learning about each other all over again…thats a different topic, but for now just want to say well done Channel Four, instead of repeats like the other so-called channels that I pay for, you keep me entertained and coming back for more.
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Sixty is the new Forty
With a series of programmes from channel four this month, age sixty is now something to look forward to. Starting with Embarrassing Old Bodies the channel looked at problems such as menopause, bunions and prostate cancer, somethings that will affect all of us in some way or another in later life.
Gok will spread his magic on the older lady with his Sexy Over Sixty programme, in a bid to make the women of the world over 60 see that they can still love their bodies, Gok meets 72-year-old Sue who lost confidence when her husband died 3 years ago. I love Gok and find myself every Christmas asking for something that he has written to make me feel that little bit more stylish.
Gok can be found tomorrow night (Monday 23rd Nov) at 9.00pm on Channel Four.
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Vera Lynn reigns the charts
Vera Lynn became the oldest artist to top the album charts with her album, We’ll meet again, a collection of her greatest hits. Vera said she was ‘suprised’ about knocking of Artic Monkeys into forth place.
I remember listening to Vera when I was younger with my grandma in the back room, singing along as if I was in front of thousands of troops.
Dame Vera, who kept up the spirits of millions of soldiers during World War II, first re-entered the charts at the end of August.
The chart topping singer said she would “never have dreamt” that the album would have charted again – let alone go to number one.
“But there you go, you never know what’s round the corner do you?” she said.
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Icons
I thought what better way to cheer myself up on this cold afternoon (winter is definately arriving if it hasnt already done so!) by posting some iconic women that are over 50 but still looking fabulous. For me, its all about growing old gracefully and these women have done such as that without having to resort to plastic surgery or certain chemical treaments. I applaude them on still shining in the spot light with so many young actresses, models and entertainers clambering to try emulate their success.
Who is your over 50 and fab icon right now? Who has the style and grace to be named fantastic fifty plus icon of the month? Try our poll below and see what the rest of you ladies thought….
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Strictly vs X Factor?
When it comes to Saturday night TV I really am showing my age when I say its not as good as it used to be! It seems TV has taken a complete nose dive and instead of producing good family television its all about the two R’s. Reality TV or repeats of old classics.
If you’ve joined a camp on a Saturday now, its either going to be Strictly Come Dancing or turn over to ITV and watch the X-Factor. Personally, I’m a big fan of Sky Plus and that way I can watch X-Factor first with the children, pretending I know what all the fuss is about a certain Mrs Cole is wearing Vs Kylies sister. Then when they toddle up to their own rooms I can watch Stricly in piece, apart from my husbands dier impression of Brucie.
Which camp are you in? And more importantly which Saturday night TV show do you wish would come back? Have a go at my poll below…
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80′s Television presenter and author Selina Scott talks about ageism and her promised Channel 5 news presenting position that never occured…
You seem to like your independence…
“Yes, I think that’s been true for quite some time now. I’m living in Yorkshire, away from a community. I enjoy being in the middle of nowhere – though I do have farmers around me and they’re really great people. I think if you do a job like I did for so many years, where all the time you are in there and having to concentrate, when it comes to an end you feel as if you want a breather.”
You famously took Channel 5 to an industrial tribunal when you had talks about covering Natasha Kaplinsky’s maternity leave and it didn’t happen…
“The settlement I came to with Channel 5 means I am not allowed to go into details, but, yes I was approached by Channel 5, we had discussions I felt like I had to take the job. You could say that it probably would have re-ignited my career. Ageism in television is an attitude that is so ingrained – a casual dismissal of those who are older. There is not one woman over the age of 50, for example, working in prime time news and current affairs in British television – not one. Which is iniquitous.”
What advice would you give to women fighting ageism?
“I would say to any woman considering it: check your insurance policy first! There is often a clause that means you can pay so much a month and get your legal cost paid if you find yourself at an industrial tribunal. I never thought I would be in front of one, so I ignored it. That applies to men and women, of course.”
Interview taken from Good Housekeeping
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Happy Birthday Twiggy
The Saturday see’s Britains first super model, Twiggy, celebrate her 60th birthday. Twiggy, aka Lesley Hornby, was orginally from North London but soon encapsulised the 60′s, with her cropped hair and doe eyes. Her modelling career lasted only four years before television called.
She received her name due to her svelt like figure and endless legs, much like twigs.
Twiggy is better known now for her help in the rise of Marks & Spencers, being featured in both television and editorial advertisments, showing she still has that certain x-factor.
I admire how Twiggy stays humble and had aged more gracefully than alot of other 60 year old celebs out there.
Lets take a look at the model over the years and would like to say for this coming Saturday, Happy Birthday Twiggy!! You look as fabulous now as when you were 20.
