We confess, we love to watch America’s Top Model. Its so fun to see the girls in the glamorous and not so glamorous settings, and how they can be transformed from a gauntly teen to a sultry vamp with some great hair, makeup and wardrobe. What is it about Tyra Banks’ reality show that has us all fascinated about the inside scoop of the modeling world?
There is a good chance that you know someone who either wants to be a model or wants their kids to model…but where do you go to get advice on the how, what and where of it all?
Meet Judy Goss, former Ford model/agent and author of the soon to be released book
, How to Break into Modeling for Under $20.00.
Judy Gross, model and author
Judy has worked in and around the fashion industry for over 20 years, and was surprised when so many people when learning of her past, always had so many questions about how to get into modeling. Moreover, Gross was shocked and disappointed to hear many horror stories of people getting ripped off by so called “agents” and “photographers” who made false claims and took their money with no results. This, and her love to help others, inspired her to write a book that would bust the all the myths out there about how to get into modeling.
“It’s really not that hard to get into modeling, no matter what your age or size. What most people don’t realize is that you don’t need to spend money on pictures or classes to get representation with a modeling agency. The agents actually prefer people NOT to spend money!”
This passionate mom of twin two year old girls, is committed to her mission to educate the public about getting into modeling that she also has a blog called, Modeling Advice: From Breaking In to Staying In , where she answers questions and give tips to those interested in modeling as well as parents of model wanabe’s … and best of all, its FREE!!
So all you gorgeous fashionistas out there, check it out before you shell out any money and find out if you might have a new career out there ahead of you! (BTW…there is even a section for modeling if your over 40!)
Judy is currently the booking and casting editor of More Magazine. Be on the look out for her book to come out in the summer of ’08, and our upcoming teleseminar with her!
Patsi Krakoff of The Blog Squad (our blogging coach) hit on a very important point about looking fabulous after 40 when she responded to our post Long Hair on Older women – Sexy or Silly?
She said “Hi gals! I’ve had long hair all my life and it wasn’t until 60 that I started wearing medium length hair-same style only shorter. I’m 63 this week and I still get compliments on my hair. The trick is to stay healthy through exercise and diet-your hair is evidence of your health inside. Shoulder length hair seems to work best for me these days, or slightly above.”
Can you believe she is 63? She looks more like 36! As much as we love fashion and beauty and take great joy in helping you to dress to look your best, there is nothing we can do to really make you look fabulous after 40 if you don’t put the time and energy into taking care of yourself.
A tube of lipstick or the latest handbag and shoes can never make-up up for dry skin, dull hair lackluster eyes and a tired overweight body – all signs of too much junk food and lack of exercise.
Make-up artist Bobbi Brown, who is about to turn 50 put it best when she said, the key to looking beautiful as we age is not what you put on your face, but rather how you care for your body. It’s about (how you’re) eating,” she says. It’s about exercise more than anything else.”
Another of our subscribers who positively glows is further proof of this.
Donna from New Jersey sent us this picture of her with her beautiful long dark hair and wrote:I am 43 and I don’t have any real secrets for looking Age-mazing™.
I walk religiously, am conscious about what I eat, wear sunscreen, and stay away from cigarette smoke.
Again, all good healthy habits to keep you looking vibrant. Then being fashionable after 40 is the icing on the cake!
How do you stay true to your own personal style but still look modern and youthful?
Just introduce a little more sportiness into your wardrobe.
What are we talking about…At this year’s AICI conference (Association of Image Consutlants International) we got the chance to hear Alyce Parson, founder of the Universal Style System speak about this.
A bit of background about her system. Alyce says you can’t know your style unless you know yourself. So she quizzes her clients on preferred colors, fabrics, fits, hairstyles as well as their goals and message they want to deliver. The answers you give determine what style is really you. You can be
- Feminine: Soft and Romantic-Jayne Seymour, Princess Diana
- Elegant: Refined and Stately-Diane Sawyer, Jacqueline Smith
- Classic: Conservative and Businesslike-Hillary Clinton, Jane Pauley
- Dramatic: Fashionable and Sophisticated- Diana Ross, Iman
- Creative: Original and Artistic-Sarah Jessic Parker, Madonna
- Sporty:Friendly and Casual -Jane Fonda, Christie Brinkley
- Alluring: Sexy and Glamorous-Sharon Stone, Demi Moore
Most people are a combo or 2 or three styles. For example with us, I (Deborah) am Elegant and Dramatic and JoJami is Alluring-Elegant.
Some styles naturally lend themselves to a more youthful look and some don’t. ie: Elegant and classic can look old sometimes as we age, so to make these styles more youthful, add a dash of sporty. Turn up that collar, push up those sleeves. Take that perfect elegant look or that serious business style and make it a tad more relaxed and friendlier.
Apparently, adding a touch of femininity is another way to keep you looking youthful. You don’t have to run out and buy a wardrobe of frills but Alyce says that femine touches like soft colors, pinks and peaches to compliment your skin can give you a lovely soft glow.
Alyce herself is a gorgeous Elegant-Alluring. We snapped a photo of her for you because at 60+ she has fabulous style and looks absolutely Age-mazing™!
Tags: Christie Brinkley, Diana Ross, Diane Sawyer, Hillary Clinton, JaneFonda, modern, personal style, Princess Diana, Self Confidence, Sharon Stone, Style Events, youthful
Ever tried to teeter on your Manolos on an icy, slushy NYC street corner, only to be whisked up by some nice, do good, gentleman? Well, if you had taken the lastest course in Womanly Ways, by expert Mama Gena, this fantasy could come true for you too~
We just got wind of a really fun gal named Mama Gena who is an expert in teaching women the finer points of how to have confidence and live the life you want, plus she’ll even help you tweak things in the romance arena too!
She teaches workshops for women of all ages, in all stages of life through her Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts.
Womanly Arts? Be forewarned, this is not a typical finishing school. Lessons include: How to Discover and live your secret desires and have confident ownership of your beauty and sensuality…. even how to put those desires into daily actions.
Sister Goddess graduates say the results are magical. They get job offers, fall in love love, find new possibilities and discover new passions.
After all, life is too short, so why not scoop up a little fun!
It’s hard to stay motivated to keep looking great when you feel like you are invisible. Let’s face it, past 40 there are very few role models out there representing mature beauty and style… no one to inspire us or make feel validated.
That’s why we’re thrilled that MORE magazine, the sole publication that celebrates women our age is once again running their annual More 40+ model search. They’ve just come out with the finalists and these gals are fabulous-smart, beautiful and vibrant.
We love them all including Michelle Griffith Hilliard, a physician, wife, mother of six and a natural cover girl. Now there’s inspiration. She’s enough to shake any 40 plus woman out of a gloomy midlife crisis and motivate her to get going!
Reading over the profiles of these amazing women it is interesting to see that when asked, “If you could go back to your 25 year old self what would you say?”, all of these gals said basically the same thing.
Have faith in yourself, be confident, take chances, enjoy every moment. It’s something that seems so natural to us now, but be darned if we could have lived that message at 25 no matter how many times we were told it.
Thank goodness for this wisdom - It’s the best gift of aging.
