Despite being 91 years old, Carmen Dell’Orefice remains a sought-after and celebrated model in the fashion industry.
Her journey began at the age of 14 when she ventured into modeling, quickly catching the eye of photographers with her striking beauty.
Raised by a violinist and a ballerina in humble circumstances, Carmen faced criticism from her mother about her appearance.
Despite her dreams of becoming a ballerina, health issues prevented her from pursuing that path. However, she found her calling in modeling and graced the cover of Vogue in 1947, though she was initially unhappy with the result.
Carmen’s early years were marked by financial struggles, with her and her mother often having to pawn possessions to make ends meet.
Despite these hardships, Carmen emerged with a deep appreciation for life and the value of money.
Although she briefly retired from modeling in 1963, Carmen was drawn back into the industry by photographer Norman Parkinson in 1978.
Embracing her natural hair color and aging gracefully, Carmen became even more popular in the late 1980s.
In her book, “Being Beautiful: Secrets and Techniques I Learned in 40 Years of Modeling,” Carmen shares her insights and experiences from her illustrious career.
Today, she continues to defy age stereotypes, participating in fashion events and commercials with the same grace and elegance as ever, proving that age is no barrier to success in the modeling world.
