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Old age? It’s the new black. That’s the life-affirming conclusion of this joyous show about six death-defying old biddies – one stylish woman sums it up by saying she refuses to ‘sit in a circle in an old people’s home with my mouth hanging open’.
Daphne is a fine-boned, exquisite octogenarian, who travels the world modelling high fashion and can happily stretch her legs up into the standing splits. Jean is a severely fringed 75 year old who tackled the grief of losing her husband by getting a job in Gap and dressing like a punk. Feisty gardener Bridget fuels her love of fashion by raiding charity shops (most expensive buy: pair of DMs at £4). Baroness Trumpington admits she’s addicted to catalogue shopping and marches her wares to the House of Lords, flicking a casual V at anyone who gets in her way. And active choreographer Gillian, 87, reacts to those alarmed at her youthful lifestyle by snorting that she ‘couldn’t give a toss’.
While a half-hearted attempt to make a campaign out of ageism in the fashion industry inevitably falls a bit flat (realistically, a 90 year old is always going to be a novelty on a fashion page), there is a serious point to be made. These are women who have chosen life, preferring to make their own style rules rather than retreat to a wardrobe of cardigans. ‘My ideal look falls somewhere just short of clown,’ says the artist and technicolour-dream-dresser Sue. Inspiring stuff.