Models of Yesteryear Make Comebacks

Baby boomers are getting older and they don't like it. Fashion publishers see a shrinking pool of disposable income held by twenty somethings and they don't like it. Models in the their late thirties and forties are in heaven because the lady boomers love them. Fashionistas the world over are clawing to get a new look at the late 30, 40 and 50 somethings supermodels like Iman, Stephanie Seymour, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista (switch hitting as both blonde and redhead) or Cindy Crawford on the catwalk or in publications.

What was old is now hip again. Models have the shelf life of two percent milk. Supermodels of days gone by were one name monikers. Today's bumper crop of global teenyboppers do not exude the same haute couture cachet to older women with big bucks. Big names with decades of experience are kicking the little newbies to the curb for the one names of the 1990's. Nothing was as much of a shock for the pasty fashion world as the resounding success of the all black model edition of Vogue Italia. Even though the entire magazine is in Italian, it is the hottest selling surprise item Condé Nast has going. Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, Tyra Banks, Iman and Gail O'Neil are featured in gorgeous photos in the now collectors item magazine.

While fashion continues to celebrate youth and search for the latest "It-model", there are some styles that simply don't work on waifish young frames - and the revival of Eighties power dressing is one of them.

This spring, fashion is celebrating clothes for real women, from the ultra-womanly silhouettes at Yves Saint Laurent to the easy, female-friendly shapes at Chloé. For women everywhere – and not just former supermodels – that's got to be good news.

Generational catwalk combat returns. Many of the 1990 era Supermodels are old enough to be the moms of the new discoveries. That's the point. Big name fashion labels are going for star power. The almost 40 Naomi Campbell, who Steve Meisel photographed to perfection in V, is Yves Saint Laurents model of choice while Claudia Schiffer is delighting Salvatore Ferragmo. Sixty something Lauren Hutton of the famous teeth will be in Vanity Fair representing for the September issue dedicated to the resurgence of the endangered supermodel. (photo: VF/Mario Testino)

Michael Gross puts it perfectly in Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women. With the supermodels returning they are a fount of hard knocks and knowledge to share if the younger set would take a moment to really listen.

Happy Birthday youngest Birthday ever, Beloved Mother Mine, lover of all things fashion. What is old is new again, Thank Goodness, but most importantly, Thank You & Love ya always! Fashionista to be, Maya arrived today - on your birthday!