Naked mom

Why not show skin when you're older? Why hide sagging, spots or wrinkles? Why cover up and be ashamed? Why applaud a world that only values youth and beauty? What tale to enslave yourself to to fight against the passage of time? Doesn't beauty consist in showing ourselves as we are, in accepting ourselves and knowing ourselves as unique? Wouldn't it be wiser to admire our elders?

I consider my mother a beautiful woman. I never tire of repeating it. And her beauty lies in her bravery, her courage, her wisdom, her tenacity, her strength and her energy. I always emphasize it. I am also fascinated by his gaze, intense and direct; his smile, pure light; and her skin, soft and luminous. When we choose outfits for Thursdays with Mom, we usually discuss between the three of us what clothes she will wear that week. And there are usually different points of view, one focuses on one's own style, another on the look that will cause the most impact and another on what is most appropriate for one's age.

“That dress is too low-cut for Mom,” says Vane.

- AND? Mom has a beautiful cleavage. Where is the problem? -, I ask.

– Very low-cut? It doesn't seem like it to me - says my mother.

- Ay! I do not know. Do what you want, I'm just giving my opinion - adds my sister.

Finally, mom and I opt for the low-cut dress and mom comes out looking gorgeous. And finally, Vane also admits that the dress looks great on her and that it was a success.

When I'm on the other side of the camera, I don't think that I'm taking a photo of an 81-year-old woman showing her cleavage. I think about the light, the framing, the composition and the posture that my mother has to use so that both she and the styling look as incredible as possible. Exactly the same as if the model were my daughter, who is 19.

Hace años, alguien sugirió en la tienda que no es conveniente que una mujer mayor sea modelo de un comercio de moda porque podría perder a las clientas jóvenes. «¿Cómo una chica va a querer comprarse el vestido que lleva una vieja?». Esa frase me quedó grabada y me indignó.

Since April 2019, when Thursdays with Mom was born, precisely with the clear purpose of giving value to older women and claiming their position in the world of fashion, the section has been growing gradually and Mom has become the main claim of The old Iriarte. I don't really know why. Perhaps, because in it we all see our mothers, because it is shown as it is, because we tell what happens behind the camera as it is, without filters, because style and good taste are not incompatible with age and because it is Of course, years are one thing and spirit is another. And this one may be younger at 80 than at 20.

And it's proven: girls do want to buy what mom wears.

En 2015 se me ocurrió una campaña para promocionar nuestros bolsos y nuestros zapatos. El eslogan era «El antiguo Iriarte, los complementos que más visten» y la imagen (realizada por el fabuloso fotógrafo Nacho Vela) la protagonizaba yo, desnuda (o no), sentada en un taburete, en la barra del bar Prida, con un gran bolso tapando parte de mi cuerpo y calzada con unos tacones. Es una foto impactante y preciosa, con una luz espectacular, de la que guardo un grato recuerdo. Y, precisamente recordándola, se me ocurrió que estaría genial repetir el concepto cambiando el escenario y a la modelo. Buscar esa misma belleza y esa luz en otra piel, una piel madura y hermosa, una piel que no hay que esconder porque es nuestro mapa y nuestro diario de viaje; y en otra mujer, muy distinta a mí y a la que yo más amo.

I talked to mom first. I looked up the image on Facebook and asked:

-Would you dare to do something like that?

Mom looked at the photo. Then he looked at me.

- You are already? Are you looking for a twist on everything again? Aren't you going a little overboard?

– No, mamá. Piénsalo unos minutos. Tienes una piel preciosa, canso de decírtelo. Y, de alguna manera, me encantaría que hicieras una foto así para acabar con los prejuicios, para mostrar tu cuerpo sin pudor y reivindicar que por el hecho de ser mayores no tenemos que escondernos ni ocultar nuestra piel, que podemos ser bonitas y atractivas a cualquier edad. ¿Cuántas clientas nos piden vestidos de manga larga para tapar la piel flácida de los brazos? ¿Y cuántas nos dicen que no quieren enseñar las rodillas? Huyen de las prendas que marquen la barriga, ¿verdad? ¿Y cómo piden muchas los jerséis o las camisas? Largos y sueltos «porque ya no tienen edad».

- Yes you're right.

– Yo entiendo que todas busquemos aquello con lo que nos sintamos más cómodas y favorecidas. Yo, la primera. Pero también hay una parte importante de prejuicio, de que a cierta edad no se puede llevar tal o cual cosa porque queda feo, porque no está socialmente admitido. Ya tienes unos años y, claro, ya no es «adecuado». Tu nunca has sido así. Tú estás orgullosa de tu cuerpo, eres coqueta, te gusta presumir y siempre te has atrevido con todo. ¿Te atreves con esto?-, argumenté.

- Well yes. Seen this way you are absolutely right and yes, I dare.

"Are you sure?" I insisted.

“Totally,” she stated emphatically.

With Vane, the argument was tougher. At first, it didn't seem like a good idea and, although he went through the hoop, he didn't have it all together. Even now, when I am writing this and it will be published, there is some reluctance. Fear of what they will say, of doing something wrong, of not being attractive?

The same thing, I am sure, will happen between you and you, when you see these images. Debate will be created, there will be controversy. Is it nice or not nice to show so much skin of an older woman in a photograph? As long as this debate continues, bad. The prejudices will still be there. You see, among ourselves, there have been discrepancies.