A 67-year-old Australian model who was told she was ‘too old’ for the industry at 33 is now campaigning with some of fashion and beauty’s biggest brands.
Heather Inwood was 62 and nearing retirement from her career in retail and hospitality when she took the plunge into modeling again after seeing an ad on TV about an agency representing models over 30.
In the five years since, Heather has been splashed in commercials all over the world.
The NSW adult model hopes her photos help older women feel confident, represented and more comfortable experimenting with modern fashion trends.
Heather Inwood (pictured) is making waves in the fashion industry as an adult model campaigning for big brands
Heather was told she was ‘too old’ for the modeling industry when she was just 33 years old and struggled to find jobs due to her petite five-foot-tall body
After spending more than 50 years in and out of the fashion industry, Heather said she’s glad to see attitudes toward older models changing.
“Older women in particular are labeled as seen and not heard, as if we don’t matter anymore and have no place in the advertising world,” Heather told FEMAIL.
“At last, demand for adult models is on the rise, thanks in part to the public’s demand for diversity in all aspects of advertising and to advertisers brave enough to make the change. I celebrate the changes.’
The demand for diversity has come a long way since Heather, who is originally from New Zealand, got her first modeling job at the age of 16.
The five-foot-tall beauty posed for a photographer as part of an art show, but she couldn’t find an agency to represent her because she said they had “little interest in petite, shorter women.”
Heather started modeling at age 16 but couldn’t find an agency to represent her, saying they had “little interest in petite, shorter women”
“By the time I was in my early thirties, I was being told I was too old. Still, I didn’t want to listen,” she said. After being rejected by agencies, Heather ‘reluctantly’ decided to put her modeling career on hold
“I could never understand this since all women, no matter how tall, can model hats, blouses, make-up and beauty products,” she said.
So I decided to freelance, which gave me the freedom to confidently work within my comfort zone. By the time I was in my early thirties, I was told I was too old. Still, I didn’t want to listen.’
After being beaten back by yet another agency, Heather “reluctantly” shelved her modeling career.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she managed fashion boutiques and then moved into the hospitality industry before changing homes with her husband.
As she was about to retire, Heather saw an interview on TV about Silverfox Management, an agency that represents models over 30, and decided to give modeling another chance.
At the age of 62, Heather applied to Silverfox management, an agency that represents models over 30: ‘My passion for modeling was sparked, so I took the plunge, applied and was hired’
A highlight of Heather’s new modeling career was a shoot for Sydney-based global fashion brand Meshki at The Pinnacles in Western Australia.
“I was inspired by the thought of really pushing the boundaries for older women. We’ve been ignored in the advertising industry for too long. I wanted an interest that would challenge me,” she said.
“My old passion for modeling was now rekindled, so I took the plunge, applied, and luckily I was accepted into the books.”
Heather has modeled for major brands including Mecca Beauty, Sephora Beauty, Camilla & Marc, The Iconic, and Camilla.
“I try to have fun in all my campaigns. Laughter relaxes me and I’ve been lucky enough to work with many crew members, stylists and photographers who genuinely enjoy their work,” she said.
A highlight of Heather’s new modeling career was a shoot for Sydney-based global fashion brand Meshki at The Pinnacles in Western Australia.
Heather has also been seen in beauty campaigns in Singapore, New Zealand and across Asia, which she said were “very surreal.”
In late 2022, she walked for The Iconic’s Runway X show, which celebrated “self-expression in all its forms” — an experience Heather described as “pure fun.”
Heather hopes that women who see her in ads will feel inspired and not afraid of getting older. ‘I want older women not to fear their retirement years, but to embrace them’
The images were later used on billboards in LA and Heather has also been featured in beauty campaigns in Singapore, New Zealand and across Asia, which she said was “very surreal.”
Besides print, she has also walked the catwalk for fashion shows.
In late 2022, she appeared on The Iconic’s Runway X show, which celebrated “self-expression in all its forms” — an experience Heather described as “pure fun.”
And while Heather exudes a positive attitude and confidence, she said she sometimes struggles with self-confidence.
“My biggest challenges are obstacles that I have put up myself. I am very unforgiving of myself and I want to make sure I give my best for every campaign,” she said.
“Self-confidence can be hard to come by for many of us, but I think if you never give yourself a chance, you’re going to be miserable. For me, I need to know that I did my best, even if I failed.”
Heather hopes women seeing her face in ads will help them embrace aging instead of fearing it.
“I want older women not to fear their retirement years, but to embrace them,” she said.
“It’s a time to free yourself and enjoy all the things you want to do for yourself, to remember and relive those childhood hobbies.”