e-Zine

Tuesday, 17 July 2007

It's Not Only Size That Matters... Apparently!

One of the personal shoppers who works for Busting Diva mentioned she'd clipped an article from a newspaper which flowed in a similar vein to this eZine - but in regards to age. It was written by Elfi Pallis in The Guardian on February 3, 2007 called 'Progress is Skin Deep'.

I was shocked to read that Hillary Clinton has been under scrutiny by the American press as they're concerned whether she looks young enough to run for president. Apparently MSNBC radio host Michael Savage lived up to his name by appealing to listeners not to get "that hag, that harridan elected". Pallis also says that a contributor to the news website Topix.net added: "I find it hard to believe that the American people would want a disgusting old hag like her for a president. This is America!! Chicks are supposed to be HOT!!" There are other crass comments which I'm not so keen to repeat here but it does seem that Hillary's age receives as much debate as her policies.

Beyond the argument in regards to the 'hotness of American chicks', I have to admit I often wince at female politicians - but it's not because of their wrinkles rather the way they're dressed and groomed. Hillary Clinton is only 59 this year, a year younger than George W Bush. I personally think she looks great for her age and whenever I see her she is well groomed, but really is that the issue?? They're choosing a new president, not a supermodel, isn't what really matters that she is able to help the biggest driving force in the world's politics progress in a positive way?

My bolshie granny who is going on 77 years young often comments how she's ignored or treated poorly because of the colour of her hair. Now she's not backward in coming forward but I do wonder how other less self-assured elderly ladies manage. And what a shame they have to manage. All that life experience being ignored because of a few wrinkles and grey hair - something which exists even if you plastic surgery and dye it all away. It may not be there on the surface, but like wisdom, it lies within.

I know what we do as stylists seems to be about what's on the outside, but somewhat unexpectedly I've found myself dealing with how people feel in the inside, their ideas and image of themselves which is often unfounded, untrue and very sad - and this ends up being reflected on their outside. Yes it's a shame that our bodies deteriorate and no, I'm not against plastic surgery, but what a shame that the media seems to think our age - and a woman's age in particular - is something that can be commented on in such a harsh way. It's not like we have a choice.

Author: Danièle Hromek

Tags: ageism, fashion stylist, personal styling, personal stylist