Catwalks Against Ageism
Catwalks Against Ageism is a fashion parade - and novel approach to combating ageism. We invite models and delegates to think about beauty as an attitude. We ask our models to identify a cat walk attitude - a way confidence mindset that gets them down the runway. Models are then invited to take their catwalk attitude into everyday life as a protective factor against ageism. It’s about living our best life now and not waiting for the world to be less ageist.
The Fashion Parade challenges the ageist misconception that beauty is limited to youth. We suggest that beauty changes as we age – but is not less. We want to show how older people have grace, style and a sense of play. The Parade celebrates models of a range of body shapes, sizes, abilities, genders, sexualities and skin colours.
The first Catwalks Against Ageism event was held in 2018 for the Embolden Festival. Check out the runway videos and photos below. Special thanks to film maker Chris Franklin and photographer Julian Meehan.
The Fashion Parade challenges the ageist misconception that beauty is limited to youth. We suggest that beauty changes as we age – but is not less. We want to show how older people have grace, style and a sense of play. The Parade celebrates models of a range of body shapes, sizes, abilities, genders, sexualities and skin colours.
The first Catwalks Against Ageism event was held in 2018 for the Embolden Festival. Check out the runway videos and photos below. Special thanks to film maker Chris Franklin and photographer Julian Meehan.
Black is Beautiful
Aunty Marlene Scerri and Aunty Beryl Booth are celebrating traditional clothing of the Gunai people from Gippsland. Marlene, a textile artist, is wearing an Emu feather collar and Beryl is wearing a Possum skin cape. Aunty Marlene and Aunty Beryl are accompanied by Aunty Marlene's grand daughter Autumn. Thankyou to Aunty Marlene for approaching us with the idea for the #BlackIsBeautiful runway. Models: Aunty Marlene Scerri, Aunty Beryl Booth and Autumn.
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Video
Take a closer look at the fashion parades with these gorgeous short films produced by Chris Franklin.
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Mimi the Label
Mimi the Label is the new baby of Margot & Alan Spalding (of Jimmy Possum fame). Margot and Jimmy hand make Australian fashion pieces to dress stylish women. Margot is a former Telstra Businesswoman of the Year). Mimi the Label’s fabrics and designs are bright and bold and made in Bendigo, in Northern Victoria. Models: Sarah Hoy, Julie Coyne, Okty Harsono, Mary Deakin, Jacqui Marshall, Zerin Knight.
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Eternal Love
The Bayside Seven celebrated love and romance and opshop chique. Outfits were supplied by Family Life op shops, an independent community organisation working with vulnerable families. The Bayside Seven included a tribute to Marriage Equality and were keen to ensure that the Fashion Parade included affordable fashion. Models: Pauline Dallimore, Craig Dallimore, Sandra Williams, Ian Binger, Judy Webb, Susan Harworth, Pamela Thomas.
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Diwali Dress
Members of the Ashburton Guajarati Senior Citizens Group and South Indian Elders modelled the saree and the kurta pajama to celebrate Diwali. The Festival of Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Models: Dashrath Pandya, Himanshu and Parul Desai, Shefali Desai, Mohan and Bhanu Raskutti.
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Bush Blokes
Blokes from the Bush payed tribute to the Flannelette shirt. The models have been asked to think about attitudes that not only carry them through an ageist world – but also help them through the tough times on the land. The Blokes included Cr Ken Clarke OAM – Mayor of Wangaratta who liaised with the print and radio media before the event to raise awareness of the need to challenge ageism. Models: Cr Ken Clarke OAM, Robert Floyd and Ray Newland.
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Qípáo
Qípáo is a symbol of Chinese culture that was worn by nobles in the Qing dynasty. It is a typical costume that blends the inner beauty and outer beauty in harmony. The Qípáo was modelled by women from the Australian Chinese Women’s Association and the Glen Eira Chinese Senior Citizens Club. Models: May Hu, Linying Yang, Haifang Fan, Fengtong Chen, Yu Xiao, Ruqiong Cao, Juhua Zhang, Xiaohua Zhang, Nianhua Wang, Likan Hu.
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F.L.U.I.D.
Artist Douglas McManus works with digital technologies as well as traditional print techniques – creating unique works on paper and textiles by intentionally altering the accuracy of digital printers and laser cutters. McManus, a gay man, styled older LGBTI people who modelled Proud. Models: Sally Conning, David Morrison, June Lowe, Gordon Wilson, Max Primmer.
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Live Life Angels
This charming troupe of dancers love to dance and live life to the fullest. They represent the Love to Live program, which is a movement to music and happiness class for people living in residential aged care. The oldest dancer is 90. On the Runway, Chaz, Kenneth, Graeme, Harry, Laura and Glenice were wearing their biggest smiles and showing their best dance moves. Models: Chas Volpato, Kenneth Weeks, Graeme Elliss, Harry Spencer, Laura Cook and Glenice Harrison.
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Leave your hat on
The talented milliners of The Millinery Association of Australia invited us to get up, grab our tickets, put our hats on, and walk together in the sunshine. Models: Sandra Forrester, Wendy Stone, Marea Bright, Robin Rivett, Annette Anderson.
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Philipina Maganda Ka
Models from Australian-Filipino Community Services wore outfits representing Filipino culture and craftsmanship. They reflected truly a ‘Pilipina, Maganda Ka!’, which means, ‘you are beautiful’. The outfits include a Meztiza dress with intricate hand-embroidered floral patterns and ‘callado’; a Maria Clara Terno in a combination of machine embroidery and hand painted floral design with an embellishment of pearls and beads. The Barong Tagalog worn by men is made of hand-woven pineapple and cocoon fibre inspired by nature or ethnic design. Models: Demetria Reyes, Judith Capsis, Rose Poss, Aida Santos, Genoveva Hernandez, Lilia Bermudez, Maina Walkley and Ludy de llamas.
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Sassy Sisters
Jill and Gillian chose black dance wear with gold accessories to celebrate feminine energy and optimism. The pair are sassy, in touch with their sensuality – and dressed as the best version of their selves – with a focus on laughter and the joy of life. Models: Jill Stacy and Gillian Honey.
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Girls from Impanema
The girls from Ipanema pay tribute to Peter Allen and allow their feet to follow the beatin of their hearts with their passionate persuasion for dancing. Modelling Rio-esque colours to lighten up our lives, their message is with ageing we are free at last, what a blast. Models: Sue Wilks, Lizzy Barrow, Robyn Benci and Pip Cassady.
More information
Catwalks Against Ageism is part of our Old is Beautiful program. For more information about the project, please contact us using the information below.
