By now you’ve probably heard the news that Mattel three new body shapes for Barbie, and one of them is plump and "curvy". About time! That doll’s shape has been, shall we say, less than realistic, since it came out in the early 1960’s. So do children’s dolls matter? Well, yes, they really can. They can influence how a woman-yet-to-be sees herself.
When a female does not fit a stereotype of what is deemed beautiful or even fashionable, there is a danger that she can feel invisible or suffer from a negative self-image. As she gets older, this can happen, too. With that in mind, for you Netflix watchers, I have a couple of movie suggestions about beauty, fashion, and sheer artistic style in older women.
The first is Advanced Style, a documentary by Ari Cohen who also writes a blog by the same name. He is a New York photographer who photographs older women he sees on the street who he finds to be beautiful. This film follows several of them, each who gained some fame for her looks through the publicity Ari Cohen gave them. One even became a model for Lanvin in her eighties. Seriously! Do take a look -- you will find yourself cheering for these ladies. Check out the trailer:
The second film, Iris, is about one woman, Iris Apfel. Iris ran a textile and interior design firm with her husband, Carl — and art and style are in her blood. You would not call her a beauty, probably not at any stage of her life, but she does have an arresting image and always has had. So much so, that one of the most popular fashion exhibits at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art consisted of selections from Iris Apfel's wardrobe. She is incredible! But here, you can see for yourself:
So kudos to Mattel for the updates to a famous doll. And kudos to women of all ages who express themselves with joy and aplomb.
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