It seems that part of every day now, I think about getting older. And, in fact, it is true for all of us but somehow it seems to be on my mind with increasing frequency.
When we were in our thirties, we did not think about aging particularly except at the cosmetic counter at SAKs where the sales woman made it a point to tell us that our “character lines” were, in fact, wrinkles.
When did we begin to notice that we were “maturing”? For some women it was the first few grey hairs; for others, it was when broadcast news anchors began to look like they were in high school; or maybe it was when someone on the subway or train got up and gave you their seat?. I beg your pardon, really?
Lucy recently bought a grill at Costco and was told it had a twenty-five year warranty and she thought, “ And that is important because…?” I distinctly remember the time that I was struck by this aging thing. It was years ago at the Harvard-Yale game when I suddenly found myself admiring the handsome players on the field as sons rather than great looking men.
I think the journey of aging is actually fascinating to observe. I notice that my skin is thinning and so when the puppy jumps on me, I bruise easily. I notice the character lines of my hands, with veins that are more prominent and knuckles that are enlarged with arthritis. I notice sitting at the pool that I can no longer wear a bikini and so I appreciate and admire the young girls lying near me in the sun. I am the sitting near them but under an umbrella.
As Vogue turns to twenty-somethings for its covers and editorial pages, it is interesting to point out that these fashions are for us because we can afford them and because, at the end of the day, they are grown-up clothes for our generation. What is fascinating to learn is that some of the top designers today are in their 60s and 70s. Look at Donna Karan, Norma Kamali, Betsy Johnson, Eileen Fisher, Diane von Furstenberg. These women designers are highly respected and their designs resonate across the fashion industry. We also found that the shoe designers, Manolo Blanhik and Jimmy Choo, are “senior citizens”.
in her 70s actively engaged in
business and philanthropy
These “senior citizen” designers are still working and vital and actively engaged and, furthermore, they still have tremendous influence in the world of fashion. They are a part of our generation. Like us, they grew up in the 60s and witnessed the confluence of culture and design. Like them, we learned to embrace change and invite innovation. And like them, we understand that this journey of aging is part of living and that an important part of the process is to continue to make a difference.
There are ‘aged” citizens in politics, the arts, the sciences, and in academia who continue to vigorously apply their skills and power to effect change and to encourage the next generation.
Aging is an asset because it provides us the privilege to pass along our life experiences to support and encourage the next generation. This is one of the principal reasons we write these blogs. It is incumbent upon us to speak up and out and engage and or reengage in all arenas of business as well as in society and in philanthropy.
We are not alone in our thinking about aging. Along comes Gwyneth Paltrow who is hugely successful in social media with Goop, a multi-platform web site that discusses beauty, lifestyle and fashion. This past week, Paltrow launched a Beauty Podcast. Still an ingénue at age 46, she has, never the less, written about aging with an article titled “What Happens to Your Identity When You’re Not Beautiful?”. She is a young woman we will watch to see how she handles being an older woman. Of course, she has no idea what lies ahead but we would be happy to share our collective wisdom with her.
Let’s be grateful for having arrived at this point in the journey and let’s engage in the conversation and the solutions for the next generation. Remember that we are the best generation in large part because we have persevered through the paradigm of change for women. Enjoy this conversation:
Ciao
Lucy and Claudia