Carmen Dell’Orefice, world’s oldest working supermodel, still reigns at 90

This year, the world’s oldest working supermodel, Carmen Dell’Orefice, turned 90 years young. She has been the gold standard for me as far as a favorite model goes for as long as I can remember and is listed in “The Guinness Book of World Records.”

I had the great pleasure of meeting this fashion icon when she visited Chicago many years ago at an event hosted by the late man-about-town, Bunky Cushing. She was the keynote speaker for his “Handbags & Halos” luncheon which benefited the Howard Brown Healthcare Center. Her dear friend, and fellow New Yorker, Peter Martino was on her arm as was the legendary lensman Victor Skrebneski, who had photographed her many times.

The ladies-who-lunch were agog at her beauty and clamored to hear her beauty secrets, as did I. She gave a marvelous and honest talk about herself and her life and accepted any and all questions, no matter how personal. When I asked her to sign my invitation, she asked if she could draw a mustache on her photo by Skrebneski.

After her presentation, I asked her what beauty products she uses to keep her skin glowing and she surprised me with her answer. She said she was a heavy tanner in her early years until her doctor in New York, the famed Dr. Norman Orentreich, suggested a facial planing. I believe this is now called a facial peel but, at this time, it was a very new technique. She said she looked like a Halloween mummy for quite a while and after her skin healed, she was advised to use sunscreen morning, noon and night, which she does religiously to this day, as well as obviously avoiding the sun.

In an article for New You Magazine, Carmen spoke about her exercise routine. She said, “I gently move into movements where I can stretch and do a little breathing to bring my consciousness more awake—feel what my body wants and needs to do in that moment even if it’s just opening my eyes. I roll to see how my hips feel, my knees are bending, do a few leg-ups—just love myself and say hello to the different parts of my body.”

As for her diet, Carmen says, “I eat to my appetite and don’t count calories. I want to enjoy food passionately ... I could have gotten into trouble with food in my lifetime because I love to eat but I was given a free pass because I metabolize food well.”

Carmen, thank you for a lifetime of glamour and inspiration. You are not only a beautiful woman, but your inside matches your outside. Long may you reign.