I am writing in response to the article "Dame Helen Mirren: How to Be Fabulously Old" by Farrah Storr, published on August 24, 2023.

This article, a perspective on the portrayal of ageing women in the media, is one I read with some bemusement. Even though Ms Storr sheds light on the stereotypes that have long defined how older women are photographed and presented to the public, and how Dame Helen Mirren's recent appearance on the cover of Dujour challenges these norms is refreshing, this article is full of sharp, stark contrasts. Whilst presenting a narrative that seems pro-ageing and how older women’s appearance should be embraced in the public eye, the language used within the article, i.e. ‘collapsed sideboob’, ‘potato knees’ and ‘gnarly hands’ seems to present an unnecessarily unkind picture of ageing. Although it is a known fact that appearance changes with age – changes that are not typically embraced by the masses – it is imperative that in order to flip the narrative around female ageing, we must present a new message with positive language and a wider perspective.

As a pro-ageing advocate and Founder of You Are Not Invisible After 50, an empowerment organisation and podcast that showcases a diverse (and fabulous) range of women over 50 from a wide range of backgrounds and countries, I am well-acquainted with the nuances of the public perception of female ageing. By highlighting women over 50 who have had accomplished and are accomplishing incredible things in their life, You Are Not Invisible After 50 is on the mission to change the idea that women are invisible over a certain age and that they are still as valid, visible, and valuable at 50 as they were when they were 20.

As a 59-year-old woman of colour who is a pro-ageing advocate, here is my perspective of the many pros and cons within this article. 

1. Breaking Conventions

Pros: The article highlights the importance of representing older women as they truly are, embracing their natural beauty, wrinkles, and all. By critiquing the decision of airbrushing the ‘Supermodel Quartet’, the article challenges the conventional narrative that older women should hide the evidence of ageing and simply airbrush it away.

 Cons: Although not directly linking to the issue of airbrushing, the article fails to address how age intersects with other identities, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health. These intersections influence how ageing is experienced and perceived by women from different walks of life.

 2. Representation of Age and Idealisation of Celebrity

Pros: The article titled: "How to Be Fabulously Old" highlights how women should embrace their age. By cleverly and positively juxtaposing the words of ‘fabulously’ and ‘old’, it rubbishes the idea that old isn’t fabulous. By featuring Helen Mirren, a well-known, respected, and much-loved actress, this notion is thrown even more into disarray.

Cons: Although Ms Mirren is inarguably a cherished British institution, she is also a celebrity who likely has access to various resources including beauty treatments, fitness/nutrition experts, and personal stylists. By featuring one celebrity whose experience is not representative of the wider populace, the article should have placed more emphasis on incorporating the lived experiences of a wide and diverse range of women over 50 - not just celebrities but also individuals out of the limelight. Simply, by reinforcing and showcasing one particular appearance, style, and lifestyle, the article completely misses mentioning the many, many women who are from all walks of life/backgrounds, ageing unapologetically, and loudly showing that they are not invisible after 50.

Featuring one prominent older woman on the cover comes across as somewhat tokenistic, thereby implying that the entire range of older women's experiences can be represented by one single celebrity.

3. External Appearance

 Pros: The article celebrates Helen Mirren's fashion choices and style, showing that older women can still rock bold and fashionable outfits. This challenges the dated idea and fading notion that older women should only wear conservative, shapeless clothing.

Cons: The article's focus on appearance, fashion, and minimal retouching still places a significant emphasis on physical beauty, which might inadvertently contribute to the societal perception that an older woman's value is primarily linked to her appearance and not on other aspects of ageing, such as their knowledge, experience, and wisdom. 

4. Diversity

The article portrays only one image of “How to Be Fabulously Old” - a white female. The article and your paper are not only read by a singular “type” of woman, but by women from all backgrounds and walks of life. The article doesn’t mention at any point “How to Be Fabulously Old” if you are a woman of colour. As a woman of colour and Founder of You Are Not Invisible After 50, I believe it’s important to showcase and spotlight women from all walks of life/backgrounds/races/countries to create a more expansive picture of female ageing and to spearhead a more widespread, global effort to change the narrative on female ageing. 

In conclusion, the article "Dame Helen Mirren: "How to be Fabulously Old” presents both positive and negative aspects of challenging stereotypes about older women. While it celebrates embracing natural ageing and defying traditional beauty norms, it also risks oversimplifying the experiences of older women from all backgrounds and places undue emphasis on appearance. Women who are older are so much more than that.