Prepare yourself for that 'fine' line

Admire that stray wrinkle

It amazes me when I see people around looking at a picture of a model or an actress who has lived her days of glory on screen or ramp and said, ‘Gosh! she is looking so dowdy and old now.’ Ditto is the case with men. And quite naturally, we find this trend percolating into our daily lives. When we meet up with our school friends, any statement which goes like ‘You are looking so young’ is considered a compliment. I'd like to ask — Why is it that we are growing more and more intolerant of what grace our age brings to us. That wrinkle on a women’s forehead, her laughter lines, her glowing eyes, don’t they look so beautifully her age.

Take a look at George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, all of who have been nominated as the sexiest men by international polls. Don’t they enjoy a touch of ‘crow’s feat’ or a bunch of fine lines under their eyes. Don’t they look uber handsome with these fine lines. Now, imagine them without those lines. A poker plain face with a grin. What do you think?

All of us in the fashion circles watch ramp shows by models season after season. I've observed that not only are the senior models (read over their late 20’s) not an obvious choice by fashion bodies, they are also not an oft accepted face by readers and audience. Only a handful of designers make a choice of his personal set of fave models and ask them to walk for him/her at the fashion show. Rest, it’s time work galore for the younger models.

Contrary to the Indian ramp trend which is brimming with younger models, the feel and respect that models garner abroad is truly encouraging. Look at supermodel Heidi Klum. She’s been on the ramp for years now, she’s had kids (in fact, her fourth baby came just a few weeks ago) yet look at the encouraging welcome she receives when she took to the ramp (for Victoria’s Secret fashion show in November’09) once again post delivery. Yes, her tummy looked a bit bumpy still and yes, her fine lines on the face shown (despite concealing it with a dash of makeup). Yet, she looked gorgeous. And that’s not due to just a visual perception. It is so much about mental perception.

If we in India too start to change the way we perceive beauty, we shall receive higher acceptance towards ourselves, in the way we look and behave. Don’t we all age slowly and steadily inching towards the ‘elder’ mark. Why not be happy with the gradual display of fine lines of maturity. So, the next time around, when you are comfortable in your couch talking to the one you love and let out a remark of simple humour, look at him or her consciously. Don’t you love the way your man or lady smiles at you with a twinkle in his/her eyes. And when you end up gazing with awe, don’t overlook the lines under her /his eyes, instead appreciate it. And you will love beauty which comes with age way more respectfully.

Girl with the blue scarf says: Beauty is so in our minds. Once we start to accept the impressions of nature in our face and body, we shall begin to love life...oh-so gracefully.