In a recent interview with British Vogue, Jerry Hall, the renowned model and actress, expressed her strong views on ageism in the fashion industry. Celebrating her upcoming 70th birthday on July 2, Hall emphasised that older women should have the freedom to dress in a manner that reflects their individual style instead of conforming to societal expectations of “age-appropriate” fashion.
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Hall, who remains proud of her figure, remarked, “I think it’s fun to be able to dress in a way that looks good on your figure. I’m very lucky I didn’t lose my figure, so I think I should be able to wear anything.” She condemned the prevailing notion that older women must adhere to a certain type of clothing, branding accessible fashion options for them as “grey and beige and dull.”
Rejecting the stereotype that older women must adopt short hair and muted colours, Hall stated, “There’s always this thing — you get old, and you have to cut your hair short and have this short blue-grey hair. I think it’s a hideous look.” She boldly declared, “We should stand up for our rights to be old and look good!” Hall’s remarks reflect a wider conversation about the representation and treatment of older women in a fashion industry often dominated by youth.
Despite her advocacy for embracing natural beauty, Hall does express concerns about the pressure some women feel to conform to beauty standards through cosmetic procedures. She proudly admitted to never having undergone Botox or fillers, sharing her belief that looking one’s age should not be a point of shame. “I think we should be allowed to look 70. Why should we try to look 50? You want to look a good 70,” she reflected.
Hall, sporting numerous wrinkles, views them as a natural part of aging. “What’s wrong with wrinkles? I have loads of wrinkles, but I don’t mind. I’m 70, I should have wrinkles,” she quipped, adding a humorous note about wanting to remain relatable to her grandchildren. Her comments draw attention to the growing number of celebrities opting for surgical procedures, as she remarked, “Let’s face it, plastic surgery is not perfected…they look scary.”
Reflecting on her grandmother’s life when she was in her 70s, Hall contrasted the expectations of today with her own experience. “My grandmother, when she was in her 70s, she had grey hair, she was a bit fat – a lovely old granny,” she reminisced. This portrayal highlights Hall’s pride in her role as a grandmother, as she embraces family life, often babysitting her children’s offspring.
Hall’s daughters, Elizabeth and Georgia May, both share the experience of motherhood, thus deepening the family ties and generational connections. The trio recently participated in a heartwarming Mother’s Day campaign for Burberry, further illustrating the evolving narrative surrounding women and age in contemporary society.
In a nod to her previous sentiments shared nearly a decade ago, Hall reiterated her belief that many women undermine the beauty of aging. In a 2015 interview with Radio Times, she lamented the societal pressures placed upon women to maintain a façade of eternal youth. “So many women are being weak about ageing. I find it annoying,” she remarked then, calling for more recognition of the respect that comes with age.
Hall’s candid reflections reveal a deliberate push against ageism in the fashion world, advocating for a more inclusive approach that celebrates the diversity of women at every stage of life. As she challenges the norms, Hall embodies a powerful message: that self-acceptance and confidence should transcend age.
The complete interview can be found in British Vogue’s July issue, which hits newsstands on June 16. Hall’s bold insights contribute to an ongoing dialogue on body positivity and the celebration of aging, encouraging women everywhere to embrace their own journey with confidence.