I’ve long been a champion of older women doing things they’re not “supposed” to do, or things they’ve not traditionally been known for doing. Like a regular woman becoming an over 40 model, for example.
I am actually really excited about this – after winning for the second year in a row at the UK Blog Awards, I can say with my hand on my heart that being over 40 isn’t a barrier to ANYTHING. Never did I think that I would be blogging as a profession and discovering a whole new career – as a self-employed person, no less – in my 40s. Never in my wildest DREAMS did I ever think I could win one, let alone two, national awards for the job that I do and enjoy so much.
Therefore if the title of this post has tickled your fancy in even the slightest way, please continue to read on. I want to do everything in my power to make that little tickle of yours a full-on squeezy bear hug that says YOU CAN DO THIS, GIRL!! GO FOR IT!
If I can achieve something as nuts as winning two major awards in a category (fashion and beauty) traditionally dominated by girls a lot younger, lither and poutier than me, then you can do this.
The JD Williams Midster Model search
So here’s the crux of it: JD Williams, a fantastic brand I was lucky enough to work with on several occasions last year, have launched a search for TWO over 45 models. As long as you’re female and over 45* (and a UK resident, sorry overseas readers), there are no restrictions on what you look like. So you don’t have to be Elle Macpherson, in other words: they want anyone who’s a size 10-32, of any height, with any ‘look’ to enter.
[Just to be clear this is isn’t a sponsored post and I wasn’t under any obligation to feature this competition. I was merely sent the details and chose to share it as I think it’s a brilliant idea. I’m also glad they haven’t used the expression “real women”… my alternative expression is “regular women”. It’s how I choose to describe women who are not supermodels or don’t have Victoria’s Secret-level looks.]So ladies, if you or someone you know has aspired to be a model but was maybe too short, or thought themselves too curvy, or feels she’s now too old… this could be their (or your!) time to shine. They’ve told me you can nominate someone on their behalf; therefore if your mum/sister/grandmother/auntie/friend is hesitant (or just wouldn’t do it themselves) – why not enter them yourself?
As someone who has done a few photoshoots with JD Williams – and is most definitely NOT model material at all! – I can say that if nothing else, you will have the most wonderful time. Their team was the friendliest, most fun bunch of people I’ve ever worked with. Don’t pass up this opportunity – what have you got to lose? Er, how about £1,000 of clothes and the chance to be in JD Williams campaigns and a live fashion show…?!
I entered a model competition for Fever London a few years back and won(!) – five ladies from sizes 8 to 16 were chosen via public votes and we modelled their SS14 collection… it was a fantastic experience and one I’d love someone else (who’s never modelled before or always dreamed of doing it) to get the chance to experience as well.
I’ve written before about how brands should be using over 40 fashion bloggers as models… for this you don’t need to be a blogger!
(both images: JD Williams)
Here are the main details and key dates from the JD Williams site:
The Midster Model Search
Do you have what it takes?
We are on the hunt for two women aged 45+, sizes 10-32, who are embracing the most colourful and exciting phase of their lives to be the UK’s next top Midster models!
Our winners will:
Walk the walk in our fabulous live fashion show in September
Represent our brand and feature in our future campaigns
Receive £1000 worth of JD Williams goodies
How to Apply:
It couldn’t be easier!
Email 2 photos of yourself, your full name & your age to press.office@nbrown.co.uk
Alternatively, post your photos on Instagram and tag us with #JDWMidsterModel
We will need:
A close-up headshot
A full-length body shot
Don’t forget a caption! Tell us about yourself and your colourful, exciting Midster life.
What happens next?
Successful entrants will be invited to an exciting casting day in London and our expert panel of judges will then select our two Midster Model winners.
The key Terms & Conditions:
~ The competition is only open to UK residents aged 45* and up
*It currently says 40 in this sentence, but you do have to be 45 or over, they’re amending the error which I spotted
~ The Competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary. Only one entry per person is permitted
~ To be eligible to enter the Entrants: a. must be female, UK residents and aged 45 or over; b. must be eligible to work in the UK without the need of any additional visa or work permit requirements; c. must not be represented by any modelling agencies; and d. must be available during the dates set out below
~ If selected as a winner, the winning Entrant must be available during the following dates: a. 18 July 2018 for Final Casting (as defined below) during which all Shortlisted Entrants (as defined below) must attend a Final Casting to progress into the final stage of the Competition; b. Week commencing 17 September 2018 to attend a one-day ‘Midster Fashion Live’ fashion show and walk in the catwalk; and c. attend a one-day photo shoot in October 2018 to shoot the SS19 ‘Look Book’. Exact date of photoshoot will be agreed with the selected winner.
Read the Terms & Conditions in full here.
REMEMBER what I said in my ethereal vintage evening dress for the UK Blog Awards (I won!) post:
[tweetshare tweet=”Say NO to being invisible, say NO to being told what to wear. Say YES to opportunities that come your way and say YES to making things happen.” username=”notlamb”]THIS is an opportunity that has come your way… CARPE DIEM (seize the day and all that)!
WILL YOU BE ENTERING OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!
P.S. If you need to take photos especially for this comp because you maybe don’t have any that have already been taken, DO NOT take them without reading this post about how to improve your blog outfit photos (or phone, it’s the same principle). I will be very cross if anyone takes bobble-head photos with tiny legs on a wide angle lens, so remember: Stand BACK and ZOOM in…!
LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…
– How I Fake Confidence When My Self-Esteem is Low
– My Fever London ‘Perfect Fit Model Competition’ Photos
So all that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!
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Thank you for joining the #SaturdayShareLinkUp! Designed to allow you to share anything you like on ANY topic, it goes live every Friday at around 8pm UK time and will stay open for a week. You can share blog posts or Instagram posts, old posts or new posts, and link up as many as you like.
PLEASE be kind and leave a link somewhere on your post, and share your post using the hashtag #SaturdayShareLinkUp – if you tweet your link with the hashtag and tag me in @notlamb I’ll even retweet it to my followers for you 🙂
Disclosure: I was not compensated for writing this post or under any obligation to feature this competition (click here for my full disclosure). Opinions are my own and 100% honest.
I have always wanted to be a model however i do not have the height for it however there were many that asked me to do photography modeling instead. I am now 46 and want to follow my dreams however every contest i want to participate in is only open to local residence. I am Malaysia and they dont have such contest here. Any possibilities for an exemption ?
Thank you.
Author
Sarah I’m afraid the competition has long since closed and the winners have been picked… it would have been much too far for you to travel to London for the casting and photo shoot, surely?! Plus you needed to be eligible to work in the UK, etc. etc. I’m sorry there isn’t anything where you live – maybe you should contact brands in Malaysia and suggest it to them? Good luck! x
I’m cheering you on, UK residents. This is definitely a start. Someday I hope these kinds of specialized searches will become part of the norm, but I cheer this beginning. Good luck, everyone. I’m glad you posted on this, Catherine. Thank you for that. And thank you for the linkup.
Fab idea! I may even consider it…
I’d actually really like my mum to enter as she’s a glamorous 70. She was an absolute bombshell as a young woman and so she’s off to a good start, but alas she’s a bit shy.
I could always just enter for her, couldn’t I?
Age is just a number…so important for us to remember. What a great contest!
Congratulations on the latest blogging wins!! You rock< Catherine!!!! A real inspiration for regular women who have dreams and goals. And yes, you DO make a great model, too.
Very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you are having a wonderful Sunday.
You’re always so positive and supportive Catherine… and definitely, model material beautiful lady!
I’ll be interested to see who wins this one.
XXX
What a fun adventure that would be! So my next questions are, are you in the right age bracket and if you are, will you be entering?? 😉
I’m just a couple of years too young for once ha ha! I hope lots of different ages and sized women enter, it’s lovely they are doing this. Thanks for sharing!
You are definitely doing yourself a disservice by saying you are not model material, there are many times when you do outfit posts such as the beautiful dress you wore to the recent awards that I think you could definitely be a model.
This is so cool! Wish I lived in the UK!!
Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
Congrats on your win Katherine!! And it’s so wonderful that you feel so passionate about supporting other women to step into the wild. I’m terrible for playing it safe. I don’t think I have what it takes, but I may enter just because it’ll be good for me xx
Congratulations on winning the UK Blog again. And of course, you looked absolutely stunning in that white dress!
I had a blast working with the JD Williams team and I can’t wait to see who will be chosen to work with them. This is an exciting time for women like us who are over 40…there are no limits!!!
xo,
Janise
This is so neat. I’m interested to see who will be choosen.
Xx, Nailil
http://www.thirtyminusone.com
Hello Catherine,
It is great to hear that brands are getting it, finally!!
P.S. I tried to link up but can’t add my link. 🙁 It says that I am not allowed to add my link.
XO
Miri
https://currentlywearing.com
It looks like brands (at least the more forward-thinking few) are FINALLY starting to realize that women of ALL shapes, sizes, colours, and ages can – and do! – have amazing style sense, dearest Catherine!! Do we have ourselves and our fellow personal style bloggers and instagrammers to thank for that?? I’m sure we do (at least in part) ’cause there are a whole heck of a lot of ladies out there who are absolutely ROCKIN’ their outfits…even if they aren’t “traditional” model material. Kudos to JD Williams for giving a lucky UK lass what’s sure to be an incredible experience!!
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
How absolutely awesome is this! I hope every single one of your eligible readers (I know you have younger ones too) enter.
I look forward to watching the whole thing unfold with you Catherine xx
You are always so encouraging, Catherine. There’s a long way from over-45 to nearing-70 though, but the concept will inspire many to give it a go. I must read the bit about improving blog photos because now I’m worried I may be posting a bobble-head on your link-up and I don’t even know what that is! Hugs, happy weekend, x.
How fabulous to read this Catherine!! I can’t wait to see who they choose!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Great news! And I have been looking for an excuse to move back to the UK…
This is FANTASTIC!! And I loved your last comment because Carpe Diem has long been my motto 😉
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
P.S – I disagree about you not being model material!!
I want to be British, does that count too?
Have a great weekend!
Would be honored if you could join my link up party!
Catherine,
I am so happy to see a brand searching for models over 45!! Too bad it’s not here in the US!
Baby steps, but the brands realize the baby boomer market has the largest buying power and it’s nice seeing clothes on women our age. (Or close to it!!)
Hugs,
Robin
https://helloim50ish.com