Mar 19, 2021
What does it mean for a society to be truly inclusive? And why is aging left out of that conversation? These subjects are at the heart of my discussion with the model, producer, and pro-aging advocate Karen Williams. Karen was discovered by a photographer in a Toronto airport and began modeling at 13-years-old. She considered herself to be on the periphery, with lots of jobs for Seventeen and brands like Clairol. At 5'9", she wasn't considered tall, and there wasn't a Kate Moss exception at the time. She admired many of the other Black models from afar but never had the opportunity to work with them because she was never hired as a runway model. Through it all, Karen remained a student and continued to model until she completed graduate school. From there, she went on to have several successful careers.
At age 54, Karen was lured back to modeling by her former agents, who saw a gap in the marketplace. WIth stunning gray hair and an eye on the industry, she has a platform through which she can talk about how the US, and other countries, have made ageism one of the last 'ism' to be dismantled. And to make a case for positive aging advocacy. After all, it is a privilege to grow older.
During this episode, we question why there isn't a Black, Latin, Asian, or Indigenous version of Carmen Dell'Orefice. Why the beauty industry is reluctant to ban terms like anti-aging (even though the beauty bible Allure did), why tackling aging could positively impact our country's infrastructure, how we lump together all people over a certain age (when we don't do that for younger generations). Karen also brings up the idea that older women are rendered invisible and question how hiding factors into that reality. We discuss the stigmas and fears attached to going gray, why fashion and beauty companies seem reluctant to embrace consumers of a certain age, and why some of them are more interesting in performative support than actually being allies.
One way Karen used her advocacy is to tell stories of women over 40 via the "I Am Conversations", a digital interview series she produced and led with photographer Angelika Buettner as part of the I Am Movement. This episode is a rich conversation that should not be missed.