Carmen Dell'Orefice, Oldest Working Model, Turns 80 (PHOTOS)
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An 80-year-old model sounds like a fashion oxymoron, like stylish Crocs or flattering Spandex. But style icon Carmen Dell'Orefice proves that working the runway as an octogenarian is not only possible, but pretty darn fabulous.
The veteran model, who celebrates her 80th birthday Friday, got her start on a cover of Vogue in 1947 at a mere 15 years old. Dell'Orefice went on to pose for photography legends like Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton, and Norman Parkinson, creating some pretty iconic images in the process.
She hasn't stopped working since -- while many a senior citizen is walking with a cane, the agelessly elegant Dell'Orefice continues to strut the runway in her signature white-haired glory, appearing for John Galliano in 2000, Hermès in 2004, and Alberta Ferretti just this year.
Check out a handful of images of the woman often called "the world's oldest working model."
The Huffington Post | Ellie Krupnick First Posted: 06- 3-11 01:07 PM | Updated: 06- 3-11 01:21 PM