Fashion lovers are used to being bombarded with glossy images of perfection. When Nicole Kidman59, was unveiled as the cover star of the September issue of Vogue, looking flawless – so flawless that some fans struggled to recognize her.
That makes Armani’s new autumn/winter advertising campaign quite refreshing. Not only is it fronted by one of the world’s most loved supermodels, Christy Turlington – she actually looks like Christy Turlington.
Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, the 57-year-old is dressed in a selection of looks including a tailored gray blazer, a gray leather trench coat and a crushed green velvet suit.
More striking than the clothing is the fact that the images have hardly been retouched. Instead of allowing signs of aging to be forgotten, Turlington’s natural beauty is on full display.
Like any 57-year-old, she has laugh lines and graying temples. It is unusual to see them in a glossy fashion image.
Turlington, one of the most successful models of the 1990s, was spotted as a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
She has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers around the world, and also enjoyed six- and seven-figure contracts as the face of brands such as Calvin Klein, Chanel and Versace.
In 1991, she signed a contract with cosmetics giant Maybelline, which paid her $800,000 (£589,000) for twelve days’ work.
Christy Turlington in the latest Armani campaign. Like any 57-year-old, she has laugh lines and graying temples. It is unusual to see them in a glossy fashion image
Christy Turlington on the catwalk in 1993. One of the most successful models of the 1990s, Turlington was noticed as a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
Many women have a soft spot for Turlington, who has largely avoided the spotlight despite her high-profile 23-year marriage to actor and filmmaker Edward Burns. “I’ve always been more of a ‘less is more’ kind of person,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2020.
Based on these latest photos, nothing has changed. The campaign features the first womenswear collection designed by Giorgio Armani’s niece Silvana, 71, who took over after the legendary designer passed away last September at the age of 91.
Turlington is one of a growing number of older models being cast in high-profile campaigns to appeal to middle-aged women with spending power.
Claudia Schiffer, 56, was recently made the face of Chloe, while earlier this week Kate Moss, 52, was unveiled as the new face of Gucci.
But some fashion labels still prefer the thrill of the new. Moss’ daughter Lila, 23, is leading the Zadig & Voltaire campaign.
