Ladies, I am back to inspire you with a fierce Silver Sister Spotlight with Caroline Labouchere. I became friends with Caroline through Instagram and my desire to visit Dubai where Caroline lives. I DMed her on social media and told her I wanted to come and run with her and see the country her response “Come, I will take care of you,” She has such a sweet and calming spirit something that reads true on her Instagram Stories. Let’s introduce you to Caroline.
It’s not every day you see a striking model sporting natural grey hair, owning the runway, gracing magazine covers and standing out from the crowd with a message that simply says aging can be beautiful. Caroline is fifty-four years young and the Region’s (United Arab Emirates) first ‘grey’ model. She grew up in Bedfordshire, UK. Her father was Lord Luke of Pavenham; a hereditary Peer of the Realm. Caroline grew up as a Sloane Ranger and came out as a debutante with a strict mother who dressed her in typical upper-class style. She is a competitive marathon runner, alongside her husband who is a world-class elite endurance triathlete. She has run the Dubai and Paris Marathons and she is currently training to run her first Ultra marathon. She clearly lives an active and healthy lifestyle.
Q: When did you start to go grey?
A: I was turning quite grey around the year 2000. It was hard covering it up and I went through phases of letting it go (feeling old) and coloring it. Peer pressure definitely has an impact.
Q: Did you feel empowered by your grey hair or defeated?
A: Initially through the perception of everyone around me I felt the need to fit in. I now feel completely content with it and cannot wait to be more grey.
Q: Tell us about the recent award you received.
A: Oh my, from the first random email invitation to the event I had a week to pull it all together. I didn’t believe the request when the email first appeared in my inbox. The pageant was called Golden Ambassador for Beijing Tourism. I was found through social media. Contacted by a French man, I thought it was a hoax, I got my husband to speak to him on Skype. I finally spoke to another contestant from Paris via Instagram. After our chat, I decided to go for it. I found the perfect dress, eight inches too long but fabulous, my visa and was on a flight to China. Other than our outing to the Great Wall we cat walked and walked practicing for the big day, the pageant. It was nerve-wracking although the lights were so bright we couldn’t see the judges. It was an incredible experience, it is unlikely that I will enter a beauty pageant again. I am happy I did and honored to have won.
Q: How do you view aging?
A: I dislike some bits, the lack of skin elasticity being the main one. I stay very fit and find it frustrating that I cannot naturally do anything about it the inevitable march of time. I will age gracefully with some help I think. Jane Fonda is doing it right in my book.
Q: Do you feel the fashion and beauty industry supports women with grey hair?
A: No, especially makeup. The shops are daunting the lighting is bad and it is too easy to be mis-sold products. I would rather follow someone my age on Instagram and buy with their advice.
Want to be featured in my Silver Sister Spotlight or know someone that would? Email me [email protected] Can’t wait to feature more women that are aging and embracing it with a bold, fierce attitude.
