September 22, 2011

World’s oldest catwalk models in Fashion Week challenge

The world’s oldest models, dressed by Zambesi, Robyn Mathieson, Pearl and other top designers, will strut down the catwalk in LynnMall at midday, Friday September 30, in a protest against Fashion Week.

Theresa Healey, ex-Shortland Street star and lead actress of the hit theatre show Calendar Girls, will MC the one-of-a-kind event, which marks International Day of Older Persons.

The models, aged between 75-95-years-old, flat together in an Abbeyfield House – an Auckland charity that provides mixed flatting for seniors. They are devastated that New Zealand Fashion Week ignored fashion-conscious senior Kiwis.

Model Kath Johnstone, 93, is an internationally competitive swimmer. “Older people can do anything. We should be seen and heard rather than just shoved in the background,” she said.

Dame Judi Dench, British actress, Academy Award nominee and patron of Abbeyfield International, supports the event. “Empowering seniors is what Abbeyfield is all about. The fashion show at LynnMall will be an amazing event. I just wish I could be there to see it myself,” she said.

Results of a national survey by Abbeyfield on age perceptions will be released on October 1st, the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, by Abbeyfield Auckland chairman, Terry Foster.

“Our catwalk show is a protest against ageism in fashion,” he said. “People of their age these days are often fit-as-a-fiddle and can do anything, including wear designer clothes and look fashionable, so why does the fashion industry ignore them?”

The glamorous models will showcase top fashion labels including Zambesi, Robyn Mathieson, Pearl, Vanilla Ink, Andrea Moore, The Carpenter’s Daughter, Charlie Brown and others. The event begins at 12pm.

Abbeyfield is a not-for-profit community organisation offering quality, shared accommodation for senior citizens. Please visitwww.abbeyfield.org.nz

ENDS

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