Reluctant as I am to regard myself as a style icon, I would love to think I could inspire older women to make the most of themselves.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I can think of a lot of women clients of mine who are well into their 50s or 60s who are still quintessentially very elegant.
I think I'd like to be one of those eccentric 80-year-old women.
I'd watch old movies with Judy Garland, Shirley Temple and Bette Davis and long to be part of that glamorous world. A lot of that glamour is gone now. In my own small way, I hope I'm bringing some of it back. But it would be great if I could inspire women to dress up.
I was the Kate Moss of my day, atypical of what the public wanted, which was Brigitte Bardot. I was always tall, skinny and angular. But now, society has bought 55 years of my marketing 'Carmen,' and I'm considered beautiful. I hope that empowers older women.
This idea that being youthful is the only thing that's beautiful or attractive simply isn't true. I don't want to be an 'ageless beauty.' I want to be a woman who is the best I can be at my age.
My style icons would be people like Brigitte Bardot and old Hollywood actresses who always look so stunning, cool and chic. I like classic and timeless looks.
As I get older, I want to draw on my experience to make roles better. I see that in the older women who inspire me - their experience makes them better.
It's unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don't even give themselves a chance to see what they'll look like as older persons. I want to have some idea of what I'll look like before I start cleaning the slates.
I have no illusions of being an icon to young girls or anybody.
I like to describe myself as a proudly visible member of the most invisible segments of our society - older women.