Career Journey
Celebrate the Gray Shatters Modeling Stereotypes
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When you think of the word “model,” you probably envision someone very young and very thin – supernaturally beautiful – unless you’re familiar with Carmen Dell’Orifice, born in 1931, or Iris Apfel, born 1921. Each of these women possess an extraordinary beauty. Until now, though, they have been the exceptions to the rule.
But the rule is being broken as advertisers branch out, looking for diversity and inclusion of people of different ages, sexual orientations and body types.
Enter Stephanie O’Dell, founder of Celebrate the Gray, a nationwide collective of women, with headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, that now represents over 80 gray-haired models and over 300 influencers over age 50.
“We are a strong, passionate collective of women who are passionate about updating the way women are viewed as we age,” O’Dell says. “We want our facies, bodies, voices, and opinions valued and authentically represented. I believe that being a woman today means not letting anyone define you. You define you!”
With this in mind, Carol Lippert Gray, co-associate editor of Sanctuary, recently spoke with Stephanie O’Dell about Celebrate the Gray and her vision for it.
What’s your background?
I grew up in Napa [California] and started my career in a buying program at Macy’s. I pivoted to customer service and marketing. I left working when my kids were four and two and was a full-time mom until their early teens. I started Celebrate the Gray almost seven years ago.
What was your impetus?
I’ve worked with Athleta and loved helping women love their shape and address their shape. I’ve worked with Stitch-Fix, an online styling site, styling over 6,000 people in three years.
As we go through menopause, our body changes. It’s as if we think, ‘The fashion industry has forgotten me, and I’ve forgotten me.’ We dress to become invisible. There’s a universal need for women to embrace their shape, learn how to dress it, and be more confident and comfortable in their clothes.
How did Celebrate the Gray start?
It started as a blog to see if there was a need for a fashion line and to provide a narrative around the clothes. Women tend to think, ‘Once I’m 50, 60, 70, I’m retired and not out in the world doing.’ Is that what we’re fed, or is that our own story? Limitations are put upon us because we’re an underrepresented demographic. But I believe it’s more societal limitations. So, let’s back it up and see where we’re getting our messaging.
We’re redefining beauty. Beauty really is based on a man’s ideal, not a woman’s ideal. Older women can be sexy, but those images aren’t out there. The more visuals you see, the more it starts to normalize things.
Would you divulge your age?
I’m 59.
But the rule is being broken as advertisers branch out, looking for diversity and inclusion of people of different ages, sexual orientations and body types.
Enter Stephanie O’Dell, founder of Celebrate the Gray, a nationwide collective of women, with headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, that now represents over 80 gray-haired models and over 300 influencers over age 50.
“We are a strong, passionate collective of women who are passionate about updating the way women are viewed as we age,” O’Dell says. “We want our facies, bodies, voices, and opinions valued and authentically represented. I believe that being a woman today means not letting anyone define you. You define you!”
With this in mind, Carol Lippert Gray, co-associate editor of Sanctuary, recently spoke with Stephanie O’Dell about Celebrate the Gray and her vision for it.
What’s your background?
I grew up in Napa [California] and started my career in a buying program at Macy’s. I pivoted to customer service and marketing. I left working when my kids were four and two and was a full-time mom until their early teens. I started Celebrate the Gray almost seven years ago.
What was your impetus?
I’ve worked with Athleta and loved helping women love their shape and address their shape. I’ve worked with Stitch-Fix, an online styling site, styling over 6,000 people in three years.
As we go through menopause, our body changes. It’s as if we think, ‘The fashion industry has forgotten me, and I’ve forgotten me.’ We dress to become invisible. There’s a universal need for women to embrace their shape, learn how to dress it, and be more confident and comfortable in their clothes.
How did Celebrate the Gray start?
It started as a blog to see if there was a need for a fashion line and to provide a narrative around the clothes. Women tend to think, ‘Once I’m 50, 60, 70, I’m retired and not out in the world doing.’ Is that what we’re fed, or is that our own story? Limitations are put upon us because we’re an underrepresented demographic. But I believe it’s more societal limitations. So, let’s back it up and see where we’re getting our messaging.
We’re redefining beauty. Beauty really is based on a man’s ideal, not a woman’s ideal. Older women can be sexy, but those images aren’t out there. The more visuals you see, the more it starts to normalize things.
Would you divulge your age?
I’m 59.
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What do you look for in models, ambassadors, and influencers?
Our models are over 50, gray or going gray, and have had no facial plastic surgery. They’re women who understand the power of aging and want to be out there and part of it. I’m not a definer of beauty and not a definer of what brands are looking for in their models. We are changing the face of aging for ourselves and all women. Please name some companies Celebrate the Gray has worked with. Brands are finding us. It’s been an exciting year with campaigns with Swimspot, Rinvoq, Athlete, the State of California DMV, H&M with Iris Apfel, and others. We’ve had models considered for Maybelline, Folgers and Warner. What advice do you have for 50-plus women who may not want to model but might want to update their look? I see people dressing in tan, black and gray – kind of disappearing. Introduce color to your wardrobe, even it’s just a shoe, bag, or bracelet. It’s all about getting comfortable and understanding your shape, not hiding your shape. Color is an amazing way to add vibrancy to your life. It’s like a spring day versus a winter day. |
Empowering Women and Redefining Beauty
Photo Courtesy: Celebrate the Gray |
People think we’ve given up and settled into who we’ve been. That’s not the case. Most women would love to take advantage of new things, to learn.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’ve never been a very patient person. This experience has taught me patience. Just being present for whatever’s next.
Where do you find sanctuary?
I’m a trail runner. [My sanctuary is] any time my feet are on a hill with birds and deer. I solve all my problems on a trail.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’ve never been a very patient person. This experience has taught me patience. Just being present for whatever’s next.
Where do you find sanctuary?
I’m a trail runner. [My sanctuary is] any time my feet are on a hill with birds and deer. I solve all my problems on a trail.
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Stephanie O'Dell and Celebrate The Gray:
Stephanie O’Dell is founder of Celebrate The Gray and is passionate about updating the age of models used in advertising and giving women their power back in their aging journey. She has built a strong following and community of like-minded women who want to change the face of aging.
Celebrate The Gray represents over 100 gray/silver haired “real” models. It has access to 100s of ambassadors 50+ and offers age inclusion consulting for brands and companies. Women want to be seen as they age in advertising and want their faces, bodies, voices and opinions valued and authentically represented. |
Carol Lippert Gray is an award-winning public relations professional and longtime freelance writer and editor. Her career has spanned books, newspapers, magazines, broadcast and online media in fields as diverse as crafts and corporate finance, parenting and philanthropy. She is Co-Associate Editor for Sanctuary.
