If you have previously worked as a model or have always desired to be a model but believe your peak years are behind you, reconsider! As marketers catch up to aging customers’ effects, older models are more famous than ever. Since models above 60 are treated seriously, the gray revolt is a reality.
Not only is there a vast selection of catalogs and journals oriented exclusively toward the elderly, but major companies and even premium fashion houses are beginning to accept older models. For example, American Apparel used a 62-year-old model as the face and body of their lingerie ad.
At the same time, high-street labels such as Zara and Marks & Spencer have collaborated with older models. Daphne Selfe, who is already well into her 80s, is one of the world’s oldest supermodels, while Maye Musk, who is 69 years old, proves that it’s never too late to make it famous. In this article, you will find 15 seniors still in demand despite their gray hair.
Famous Older Women Models with Gray Hair
These are the most prominent older women models with gray hair that you may follow on Instagram to learn how to remain successful in the modeling profession despite your advanced age and grey hair.
S/N |
Influencer ID name |
Instagram Profile Link |
No. of Fans Instagram |
1. |
Maye Musk |
948K |
|
2. |
Yazemeenah Rossi |
334K |
|
3. |
Carmen Dell’Orefice |
61.6K |
|
4. |
Kristen McMenamy |
170K |
|
5. |
Cindy Crawford |
7.3M |
|
6. |
Nicola Griffin |
13.7K |
|
7. |
Daphne Selfe |
69.6K |
|
8. |
Pia Gronning |
8.9K |
|
9. |
Jacky O’Shaughnessy |
2.26K |
|
10. |
Catherine Loewe |
1.4M |
|
11. |
Caroline Labouchere |
526K |
|
12. |
Marie Sophie Wilson |
10.4K |
|
13. |
Tyra Banks |
7.2M |
|
14. |
Jane Fonda |
2.1M |
|
15. |
Benedetta Barzini |
2.01K |
Maye Musk – @mayemusk
Maye Haldeman Musk was born on April 19, 1948, and is a model and nutritionist. She has been a model for fifty years, appearing on the covers of publications such as worldwide Vogue versions and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2012, she appeared on the front page of Elle Canada and in ad campaigns for Target and Virgin America.
In September 2017, at age 69, she became CoverGirl’s oldest spokesmodel, “creating history,” according to a news article. In 2022, at 74, she was the oldest Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to appear on the annual issue’s cover.
Yazemeenah Rossi – @yazemeenah
This 60-year-old may be recognizable from her bikini campaigns for The Dreslyn and Land of Women, released earlier this year. A model with long, dove-gray hair promoting slinky, form-fitting bikinis is quite a feat, given that obtaining a swimwear photoshoot is rare. Rossi’s decision to go au naturel with her hair had less to do with a desire to make a statement and more to do with her desire to spend her time in a specific manner. “I am enthusiastic about what I do. I have no time, “She disclosed her choice not to color her hair. She says she has denied “a great deal of money” to alter her delicate gray hue. None of those people has seen how fantastic it looks on her.
Carmen Dell’Orefice – @carmen_dellorefice
Carmen Dell’Orefice is an American actress and supermodel. According to the fashion industry, she is one of the world’s oldest working models as of the Spring/Summer 2012 season. At 15, she appeared on the cover of Vogue and has been a model ever since. Carmen Dell’Orefice has perhaps the most recognizable gray hair in the fashion industry.
With four Vogue covers, more editorials, and a catwalk show than you can throw a dye brush at, Dell’Orefice has one of the longest-running careers in the history of modeling, most of which she has spent with gray hair. However, after becoming prematurely gray, Dell’Orefice renounced hair coloring at age 26 and embraced her natural white-gold hue. The 85-year-old continues to work consistently for Rolex and Missoni, so we will call it an excellent choice.
Kristen McMenamy – @kristen_mcmenamy
There are a few rules on what you should do with your hair as you reach a “certain age” that is ill-defined but always ominous. The first is, of course, to dye it black, and the second is that you must, must, must cut it short. McMenamy, a legendary 90s model, defies these norms while still looking fantastic. McMenamy is renowned for wearing her naturally silver hair in long, flowing waves or stick-straight sheets down to her waist (she stopped dying her hair in her late 30s).
Cindy Crawford – @cindycrawford
Cindy Crawford was among the most well-known models of the 1980s and 1990s. Cindy has been on the covers of publications such as Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Allure. She has appeared in commercial campaigns for Balmain, Hermès, Guess, Gap, Revlon, Oscar de la Renta, DKNY, and Valentino. She has walked the catwalk for Dior, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. She walked with Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell at the Spring 2018 Versace show.
Now, Cindy Gerber has two model children, Presley and Kaia Gerber. This legend runs many enterprises, including a home furnishings and furniture company and a beauty and skincare line. But, do you care to know her secret for appearing so youthful? It is a regimen that involves avoiding the sun, drinking enough water, not smoking, and sleeping enough.
Nicola Griffin – @nicolajgriffin
Being over 30 puts you in the running to be the oldest model ever to appear on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue pages. Still, earlier this year, 56-year-old Nicola Griffin won the title with an advertisement for Swimsuits for All featuring her in a shimmering gold bikini and long silver-gray hair.
Those who have attempted going natural previously only to return to the dye bottle after a few weeks need not feel alone; even flawless-maned models experience insecurity. “For the two years when it was expanding, it seemed dreadful. Later, a lady in a tea shop said, “I like your hair,” to which I responded, “Do you mean me?” Do you like my hair? How could you enjoy it when it is gray?” Griffin explained. “I realized that it did look good… It fits me far better than dying it.”
Daphne Selfe – @daphneselfe
Selfe stands apart from the usual 88-year-old by having an Instagram account, much alone one featuring frequent behind-the-scenes photos from the model’s most recent fashion sessions. In fact, Selfe’s bio describes her as the world’s oldest professional model, which is almost as #goals as her flowing white-gray hair, which she wears pulled back in simple knots or elaborate coifs (she claims that this accentuates her bone structure) frequently accompanied by large, bold sunglasses. Once a girl of fashion, always a girl of style.
Pia Gronning – @piadgronning
Not all grey hair falls within the range of salt, pepper, or white; turning grey is a lot more flaxen for many redheads and blondes. Consider the Danish actress and model Gronning, whose slick grey hair is highlighted with buttercream tones. “I have only ever colored my hair for a job, for a hair-color brand. It is a must that you use their product, and it ruined my hair. Following that, I vowed never to do it again. “She informed J. Crew of their Style at Any Age initiative. We say power to her elbow. Who would want to conceal such a gorgeous color?
Jacky O’Shaughnessy – @jackyoshaughnessy
Soon after being spotted in New York’s Greenwich Village, Jacky O’Shaughnessy began modeling lingerie for American Apparel. In 2012, she appeared in advertising for The Gentlewoman, and she has subsequently been featured in Vogue Italia and Fashionista and shot for Diesel campaigns. In addition, Jacky has walked the catwalk at the New York TOME fashion show and is often cast by Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin.
Catherine Loewe – @catherinegiudici
The Swiss model Catherine Loewe has been featured in magazines and on the runway; at 57, she is undoubtedly an elderly model. But before her career as a model, she was a lawyer for around twelve years. Catherine Loewe is represented by the agencies Women Direct Milan and City Models Paris. Zurich-based Visage Management is her parent agency. In 2011, she began her modeling career. In the October 2011 edition of Out of the Box Magazine, Ryan Jerome shot Catherine Loewe for an editorial. After that, she starred in the Le Weird C’est Chic editorial for the October edition of Vanity Fair Italy, which Signe Vilstrup shot.
Caroline Labouchere – @carolinelabouchere
Caroline is married and the mother of two adult children. Being a model for British Vogue and other publications, she writes a blog on Style, Food, and Fitness. No one begins their career at 58 to support her family. During her forties and early fifties, Labouchere felt average about her appearance but grew rather fascinated with anti-aging methods. She would color her gray hair, use heavily touted anti-aging treatments, and have facials, Botox, and fillers.
Labouchere had never been happier with her appearance than in 2017 when she accepted a modeling chance. She said, “I have never desired to seem aged. It is unnecessary nowadays with modern medicine, cosmetics, and nutrition advancements. I am far more self-assured and courageous than I was in my twenties and thirties. I attend gatherings alone and accept practically all invitations.”
Marie Sophie Wilson – @fruitbat2000
Marie Sophie Wilson embodies the irresistible, unfettered creative energy that captivates painters, photographers, filmmakers, and singers. She is a person, not only a personality, whose innate grace has become a defining characteristic. As a model (which is frequently a derogatory term, particularly in her case), she has collaborated with the greatest fashion photographers of all time to play the most beautiful parts of creative photography.
Throughout the 1990s, Marie-Sophie Wilson walked the catwalk for designers such as Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, and Azzedine Alaa. Most recently, she walked the runway at the Simone Rocha A/W17 show in London. Peter Lindbergh and Mario Testino have shot her, and she is renowned for her androgynous style and punk attitude.
Tyra Banks – @tyrabanks
Tyra Banks is most known for her work as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, although she started her modeling career at barely 15. In 1991, she participated in an astounding 25 presentations during her first Paris Fashion Week. As a result, she was the first woman to appear on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover and the first African-American woman to appear on the GQ cover. Her modeling resume includes Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria’s Secret, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, and others. She recently modeled for Paper Magazine, authored a book, and continues to serve as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, demonstrating that models beyond 40 can succeed.
Jane Fonda – @janefonda
The activist modeled a sleek suit and top-handle bag for Gucci’s latest “Off the Grid” ad, bringing her star power to the campaign. All the goods are part of the brand’s most recent eco-friendly project. It is conscious of its environmental effect and employs recycled, organic, bio-based, and sustainably derived materials, such as ECONYL, regenerated nylon.
Benedetta Barzini – @benedettabarzini
Benedetta Barzini is one of the best models beyond the age of 40. Diana Vreeland of Vogue U.S. found Benedetta when she was barely 20 years old in 1963. Benedetta was flown to New York and photographed by Irving Penn, launching her model career. She has been on the cover of Vogue Italia many times and just walked in the Simone Rocha A/W17 show. Benedetta is renowned for her aloofness and lack of interest in fashion and beauty.
Conclusion
These models, many of whom are in their late 60s, are great motivations to colleagues and younger folks. Their lives and relevance, even with gray hairs, testify that age is just a number; it doesn’t deter anyone from achieving their lifelong can draw inspiration from them.