“The phrase “Beautiful at any age,” which has become popularized in recent times, seems to me to echo an oppressive imperative that we women should remain attractive at every moment of life.
If by "beautiful" we mean a stereotype, young, blonde and thin, then we are screwed.
Many of us are not like that.
I'm dark, a little round, a little old, but having worked all my life as an actress and model, and still representing one of the most prestigious cosmetics brands in the world, the questions about beauty are the ones I get asked most of the time.
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I believe that with this “at any age”, I am asked more precisely how to remain attractive, attractive, even sexy, even at my age – 71 years old.
And that irritates me a little, because I find it reductive.
Sometimes I hear myself say, “You don’t look your age!”
I know it's a compliment, but it implies that there is something wrong with getting older, and that looking younger than your age is an accomplishment.
I would prefer a thousand times better if someone said to me: “Isabella, how elegant and creative you are!”
People ask me how to remain seductive, attractive, even sexy, even at my age – 71.
And that irritates me a little, because I find it reductive
Isabella Rossellini
I have always taken great pleasure in putting on makeup and dressing myself in clothes that I liked, or simply celebrating the creative force of a stylist like Iris van Herpen, without necessarily wanting to buy one of her creations.
I find the same pleasure in decorating my house, setting a beautiful table to receive my friends for dinner, admiring other people's houses in a magazine.
Decorating is a small act of creativity.
Decorating and self-decorating is a pleasure that you can cultivate throughout your life.
Creativity is the expression of our spirit and, in my opinion, the definition of elegance.
I find the exuberant creativity of Dolce & Gabbana elegant, but also the strict sobriety of Jil Sander.
I loved Paloma Picasso's approach to makeup – one lipstick and one perfume;
Shirin Neshat's eyeliner – just a long line under the lower eyelid – appeals to me, as does the more pronounced style of Twiggy in the 1960s or Lady Gaga today.
Today, beauty is more inclusive and definitively anchored in notions of personal expression and creativity
Isabella Rossellini
And I must add that I follow with great interest and pleasure the evolution of what we mean by “beauty” by collaborating with Lancôme and its campaigns which move at the same time as society.
Today, beauty is more inclusive and definitively anchored in notions of personal expression and creativity.”