Steven and the speaker were inspired by iconic Italian film stars from the 1960s like Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, who embodied sensuality and vibrancy. They were symbols of positive role models in a conservative cultural climate. The speaker mentions how Pucci’s style also exuded a similar vibe of vitality and freedom, which was a refreshing contrast to the traditional norms of that era. Despite facing challenges in the fashion industry, the speaker found inspiration in these strong female figures from the past.
The speaker reflects on her modeling career, mentioning a beauty contract with Lancôme that abruptly ended after 10 years in 1993. She attributes this to the beauty and fashion industry’s obsession with eternal youth and age discrimination. Despite this setback, Lancôme eventually called her back, which the speaker sees as a form of sweet revenge. She questions whether the cultural landscape has truly changed to allow for more diverse and open-minded choices in the fashion and beauty industry, as she reunites with friends at the Pucci show.
The speaker expresses skepticism about whether the current trend of inclusivity in fashion and beauty will endure or if it is just a passing fad. She longs for a sense of elegance and refinement in fashion that appeals to women of all ages, unlike the trend of featuring only young, skinny models in magazines. She seeks inspiration from elegant women of the past like Maria Callas and Jackie Onassis, who knew how to dress appropriately for their age and body type. The speaker hopes that the acceptance of imperfections in models’ bodies will continue to be embraced in the industry.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of inclusivity as a long-lasting and deep-rooted value in culture. She hopes that the fashion and beauty industry will continue to evolve towards accepting and celebrating diverse beauty standards. The speaker’s personal experiences in the industry, from being rejected due to age discrimination to later being welcomed back, reflect the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and diversity. She affirms the need for representation of different ages, body types, and backgrounds in fashion and beauty media.
Overall, the speaker’s reflections highlight the challenges faced by women in the fashion and beauty industry, particularly with regards to ageism and limited beauty standards. She advocates for a more inclusive and diverse approach to beauty that celebrates women of all ages and body types. By drawing inspiration from iconic figures of the past and questioning societal norms, the speaker challenges the industry to embrace a more open-minded and accepting attitude towards beauty and fashion. Her hope is that this trend towards inclusivity will become a lasting and fundamental value in our culture.
