Fashion Archives

April 7, 2019

History Repeating, 1970’s Vintage fashion shoot, Bradford

I may be quiet...but I have so much on my mind.

I love vintage fashion, the romance behind the clothes, imagining what that persons day to day life was like, where they wore the clothes originally. Before entering the world of modelling I had my own vintage business "All About Eve' and met so many interesting people, selling on line and at vintage fairs. It's where I met my friend Trudy Fielding from My Vintage Beau who also works as a stylist @Trudy Beau stylist, so when we got to shoot together we had so much fun. I've wanted to work with photographer Dan Urben for months so this shoot was a personal favourite.

What's not to love! I finally got to work with Dan Urben, modelled with my friend Trudy Fielding in some amazing locations around Bradford. Oh and throw in some amazing 1970's fashion too.

Bradford has so much character it wasn't hard to find some perfect places to shoot at.

I used to love watching Cagney & Lacey and have the theme tune ringing in my ear when I look at these photos. Who was your favourite character, Tyne Daly (Lacey) or Sharon Gless (Cagney)? Mine was Lacey.

When you walk in to a building the has retained so many original features it's truly like stepping back in time. Look at those floor tiles.

"You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy" # Kiss

I've worn this black velvet New Look jumpsuit so many times since but it 's never looked as cool as this.

Northern girls out on the town. 'Ladies night' #coolandthegang

Mixing vintage fashion with high street is so easy to do. Jumpsuits from New Look fit in perfectly.

I can't remember the last time I managed an all nighter, but I love the idea of it still, minus the hangover. P.S the coats are vintage fat fur not real.

The morning after. "Waiting for the sun" #thedoors

"One of those crazy old nights" #theeeagles

Thank you Jamie Lee Hodds for our hair & make up.

Published by Rachel Peru in Fashion

October 8, 2018

Women over 40 are not invisible. When will fashion brands and advertising catch up?

When JD Williams partnered with ZPRSoho to create a protest against the lack of representation on the high street for the over 45's I jumped at the chance to be involved. It's something I am passionate about and equally frustrated by it too.

I love fashion and it wasn't until i hit my 40's that my body confidence really grew and I love experimenting with different looks. I do shop right across the board in high street stores, including Top Shop, Next, Mango etc etc. I will walk in to a store and try hard to ignore the clear signs that this is aimed at a younger generation, pretty hard to do when you are bombarded with bill boards of young women modelling the clothes, don't get me started on the size 8 mannequins! I am also aware that not all women reach there 40's with a lots of body confidence and a new found sense of direction, making the thought of walking into high street stores that much harder and intimidating. JD Williams commissioned a report with women over 45 and sadly 70% of them felt ignored by the high street. Something has to change!

I dream of a day when high street stores show women of all ages wearing their clothes, how inspiring would it be to be able to relate to someone your age in an outfit. Shopping would be a much happier experience for everyone involved.

Photo with Ava Fay Thompson, both wearing Next.

Pretty in Pink with Ava Fay Thompson, wearing Next jumpsuits.

That's why I am so happy and proud to have been involved in JDWilliams AW18 'I Am' campaign, which has really showcased diversity with relatable women. Love this photo with Annie Hawkins, Anna Parkes, Savi Reynolds and Paulina Byrne.

Autumn I AM campaign with JDWilliams.

So four women including the beautiful Jilly Johnson, who is regularly seen voicing her opinions on the failure of the fashion industry to represent the older women set off on a busy Oxford Street armed with placards and loud voices.

Oxford Street protest with Jilly Johnson for JDWilliams with ZPR.

Jilly Johnson protesting with JDWilliams for better representation for older women on the high street.

It may only have been a small step but we have to keep pushing those boundaries and reminding the industry that we are not going away and need to be seen and heard.

I AM not going quietly!

I AM NOT INVISIBLE! Wearing Next leopard print dress and my favourite leather jacket.

Published by Rachel Peru in Fashion

Tags: fashion, highstreetfashion, JDWilliams, lifeafter40, midlife, midsters, nevertooold, ZPRSoho

April 30, 2018

Why are women over 40 so invisible in the fashion industry?

Flick through any fashion magazine and you will notice a distinct lack of middle aged 40-50 year old models . Whilst it is wonderful to see the increase in older models such as the incredible 70 year old Maye Musk, the industry seems to be completely overlooking the middle aged bracket. Why are we so invisible to the high street fashion market? Especially when you consider that women over 50 make up 47% of the spending market. I want to be inspired when I open up magazines by women of my own age group that I can relate to and that reflect me, wearing high street modern fashion. We have money to spend and there is #nowrongage to express yourself through your clothes.

Green top- UK16 www.boohoo.com

Vinyl skirt- UK14 www.simplybe.co.uk

Shoes vintage www.etsy.com/uk/shop/myvintagebeau

I love this outfit an ended up buying the whole outfit,including the vintage beret from https://facebook.com/myvintagebeau Trousers and dustecoat www.simplybe.co.uk

Flamenco dancer in the making! Beautiful dress from Simply, UK16

It's good to step out of your fashion comfort zone and try different looks, after all there are lots of different sides to our personalities.

Trousers and jacket www.simplybe.co.uk Boots www.tkmaxx.com

Thank you Laura Carly Adams for the fab photography and Trudy Beau stylist for helping showcase some cool outfits.

Published by Rachel Peru in Fashion

January 10, 2018

Swim Suits For All shoot #dreamjob

When I say this was my dream job, It really was!

The fact that it was in The Bahamas working with Ashley Graham, Elaine Eirwin, Stefania Ferrario and Lori Harvey was an amazing opportunity. But for me it was so exciting to be involved with Swimsuitsforall, an American swimwear company I have been following and really admire for their positive and inclusive attitude to swimwear. When I tentatively started modelling this time last year I would never have imagined modelling swimwear at the age of 47 and it has been such a positive turning point in my attitude. I have come back even more determined to be able to represent the curvier women over 40, we are so under looked in the fashion industry even when our age bracket is one of the largest spending groups in the market. As I slowly approach my 50th I can't wait and I've never felt more confident, sexy, comfortable in my own skin, embracing my grey hair, so I'm looking forward to this new chapter and let's see what it brings!

Girl Squad Goals with Elaine Eirwin, Lori Harvey, Ashley Graham, Rachel Peru and Stefania Ferrario, Swimsuitsforall.