Ageless Elegance: Fiona’s story as an older model
In a world where youth has traditionally been the standard of beauty, Fiona Campbell’s successful modelling career is a testament to the evolving nature of beauty standards and the growing acceptance of diversity in age. She acknowledges that while the industry has become significantly more diverse, there is still considerable progress to be made. One particular area of concern is the persistence of ageism. Despite the industry’s advancements, many casting calls still limit the age range to under 60, perpetuating outdated stereotypes about what an older woman looks like and should represent.
Fiona Campbell’s career disrupts these norms, proving that beauty and talent do not diminish with age. She highlights the importance of recognizing the diversity among older women, advocating for casting practices that go beyond narrow age brackets. Campbell’s continued success serves as a powerful argument against ageism, demonstrating that older models can bring elegance, experience, and authenticity to the fashion world.
Fiona’s day-to-day life is anything but routine. “You can book three jobs in one week and then have six weeks without anything,” she explains, highlighting the uncertainty in modelling. This variability means models need to be smart with their money and plan for the unpredictable nature of their work. Despite the irregular schedule, Fiona enjoys a range of hobbies, including horse riding, swimming, and walking every day to stay active.
At 18, she was approached by a modelling agency. “I fell into it,” she says, reflecting on her initial plans to pursue a career in art and design. Fiona goes on to admit, “I wasn’t really very professional… I didn’t take it too seriously,” at the beginning of her career as she would prioritize trips and going away with friends in her early 20s instead of modelling jobs.
One of Fiona’s inspirations when she started modelling was 60s supermodel Twiggy. People would often say she looked like her when she was younger. More recently, Fiona has found inspiration in Heather Mirren, whom she had the pleasure of meeting during a L’Oréal shoot. Highlights of her career include the launch of a premium magazine for over 50 women and various beauty shoots, live TV, and TV adverts, including ads shown on ITV3. She enjoys commercial and lifestyle modelling and her continued work with QVC.
She believes that the key to a successful career lies in embracing what makes each individual unique rather than conforming to conventional standards.
Despite the industry’s progress since the start of her career in the 70s, Fiona points out that many people still cling to outdated stereotypes of what a model should look like. “People still have an image of what a model looks like, and it’s not someone who’s over 60,” she says. This mindset is damaging because it overlooks the success of many older models, many of whom have a strong social media presence and are thriving in their careers. While models like Bella Hadid continue to represent the conventional beauty standard, a growing number of models are redefining and challenging these norms, proving that beauty is ageless and diverse.
You can connect with Fiona and see more of her work on Instagram @fionacmodel and through her agencies: IMM Models, RMG Models, Gingersnap Models, and Nemesis Casting.
