So there I was…last week happily tweeting about being grey then yesterday the Observer feature hits the stands then blow me down this morning Radio 4 send a mobile recording studio to my house to talk more! So wedged in between their usual political output, I add a style footnote.
As you know I love fashion and I’m not the compromising type.. so it’s good that new research will make retailers sit up and take note.
(I’ve talked about it in depth in my latest Huffington Post blog, promoting what we are up to at the award winning campaign All Walks but here are the highlights!)
It comes from Phd Graduate of the Judge Business School, Cambridge University, Ben Barry who has just finished his study of consumer behavior. He can attest for the fact that women over 40 do not respond to advertising aimed at young women. HOWEVER they do respond in the strongest terms to fashion imagery aimed at them.
Since we are by far the larger demographic with more spending power to leverage…commercial CEO’s will have to listen as commerce will dictate terms if nothing else!
It’s not rocket science is it? But as usual what we know instinctively takes a while to filter down to the money men.
As you can see even the youngsters are coveting a bit of the old ’steely hue.’ And I’m expecting the latest shots I did with Debenhams featuring 55 year old professional model Michele to hit the press soon.
As I think about it, there are lots of women in the fashion industry who all rock a great head of silver locks…. Time for change?
Watch this space!
And thanks to Chris Floyd who not only took this fine photograph above, but also respected my desire for absolutely no post production manipulation on it. Just good lighting!
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6 responses so far
1 Denise O'Neill // Sep 19, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Congratulations Caryn! I want to shout it from the rooftops that ‘It’s OK To Be Grey!’. Please go to my new blog (http://greyisok.blogspot.com/) to read my journey to grey and my thoughts on the issue and how we grey-haired women are tired of being ignored – we are NOT invisible! Also, could I suggest you join ‘Gray and Proud’ on Facebook – it’s a wonderful group where you’ll find many women with grey/silver hair who want their voices heard. It also includes supermodels Yasmina Rossi, Cindy Joseph and Pia Gronning plus many other beautiful grey/silver-haired women. Thanks, Denise
2 Sue // Sep 20, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I was fascinated to hear you on Woman’s Hour. I’ve been going grey since I was 15, have never dyed my hair and would love to share my story (and confidence about being grey) with others. Thanks for making grey cool!
3 Denise O'Neill // Sep 21, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Hi Caryn – I left a comment two days ago and it has disappeared. Do you know what has happened to it? Thanks, Denise
4 Denise O'Neill // Sep 21, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Oh Caryn – I see it now! Thanks
5 Kyle Eppard // Sep 23, 2011 at 3:36 pm
The great thing about grey hair is that it can represent strength as well as age. It needs to be groomed very thoroughly though.
6 Salma Jaroudi // Oct 12, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Caryn – what can I say? You are an inspiration. I actually dye my hair to get that silver grey swatch look : -) Thank you for all that you do to empower women. As a 5′8″ size 18 curvy women; shopping and mixing up outfits is a challenge…
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