51-Year-Old Model Inès de la Fressange Returns to Runway

01/29/2009 10:10 am

51-Year-Old Model Inès de la Fressange Returns to Runway

Fifty-one-year-old former model Inès de la Fressange returned to the runway this week in Paris, stealing the show at the Gaultier Spring/Summer 2009 haute couture collection.

Fressange made a name for herself in the 1980s when she became the first model to sign an exclusive contract with couture fashion house Chanel. The French beauty remained Karl Lagerfeld’s muse until a falling out in 1989. Post-runway, Fressange has remade herself as a businesswoman, designer and consultant for Jean-Paul Gaultier. This week, however, she stepped out from behind the scenes, bringing her joie de vivre to the fashion set during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Models “are not just 14-year-olds,” said Mr. Gaultier. “There are no [age] barriers to beauty.” We couldn’t agree more, and we applaud the design legend for proving this fact to the masses. Though Gaultier hasn’t always done right in our book (embroidered satin hoodie with embroidered tiger, anyone?), this time we’re wowed by his taste, style and class … and the collection wasn’t bad either!

Is this the start of Inès’s full-time runway return? It’s unlikely. “For me it was like a Sunday,” said Fressange. “This is not my job anymore.” Le sigh.

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27 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

She’s beautiful!

By BelindaJoy on 01/29/2009 10:16 am

Good for her!!! Hopefully the fashion world will open it’s eyes and see that beauty and age can work together.

By BrooklynGal1 on 01/29/2009 10:21 am

WoW

By SandbeeFB54 on 01/29/2009 10:23 am

Way to go girl! Yes “are not just 14-year-olds” so true.

By GrandeCamper on 01/29/2009 10:33 am

She looks terrific for any age. And, how nice to see a runway model with a real smile, not a stoned, zoned zombie look…

By DianaT on 01/29/2009 10:40 am

I noticed her smile, too. A beautiful smile conveys a lot about the person’s attitude and outlook on life. She looks great and I wouldn’t know what her age was if I had to guess. Beauty is ageless.

By Dabado on 01/29/2009 10:46 am

Oh, those French women. Drop dead gorgeous.

By NP2 on 01/29/2009 11:13 am

She is 50% argie, you know……..

By martapont on 01/29/2009 4:42 pm

Marta, I didn’t know that. I’m not the least bit surprised. Que bella! Good to see you,

By NP2 on 01/29/2009 5:57 pm

How are feeling after yr south american experience???? More rested, I hope. Yes, Mme de la Fressange is one very lucky lady.Her mom was argentine -a one time model in Paris-, from a traditional family in the center of the Argentina. And, her dad was heir to one of the biggest banking families in France. Feel sort of gossipy today!!!! XXXXXXMoi

By martapont on 01/29/2009 6:23 pm

Hi Marta, I am feeling more rested now. Thank you. And I have very pleasant memories of the trip. And sometimes when I’m walking, I miss hearing that, “Hola, Buen dia.” Everyone in Buenos Aires was so friendly. Hasta luego,

By NP2 on 01/29/2009 7:46 pm

With our aging population, I’d like to see older models wearing clothing that I would be willing to wear. Seems almost all designers use those pretty fresh faced youngsters wearing items I would never think of wearing. Someone I know is a former model who didn’t begin until she hit 50-she is now 70, still beautiful, slim and elegant and could still turn heads on the runway or in public.

By JJGB on 01/29/2009 11:37 am