Beauty knows no age: how legendary models are still astonishing world brands?

Beauty is not measured by age: how legendary models still captivate world brands

In the global fashion industry, the attitude towards age is changing slowly but decisively. During the golden era of supermodels, it was assumed that the careers of even 30-year-old stars would end, and later, with the onset of the Instagram-model era, the legendary divas of the 90s began to be spoken of only in the past tense. However, today, prestigious publications and brands still refuse to give up the desire to work with women who continue to amaze the world. Below are models over 50 who are achieving great success.

**Christy Turlington**

Having stayed somewhat out of the fashion world's spotlight for almost 25 years, Christy Turlington turned 57 in January 2026. Despite this, she managed to re-enter the leading ranks of the industry, earning nearly 40 million dollars. During her break from modeling, Turlington studied seriously at New York University's Department of Religious Studies and Eastern Philosophy, practiced yoga deeply, and launched her own Ayurvedic cosmetics brand called "Sundari".

Having found happiness in family life, Christy experienced a difficult childbirth, which resulted in post-partum hemorrhage. Upon learning that this very syndrome is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in developing countries, she began researching the issue. The model filmed a documentary titled "No Woman, No Cry" and founded the charity association "Every Mother Counts" to train midwives and deliver medical aid to women in third-world countries.

She made one of the most sensational comebacks of the year in 2019, appearing at designer Marc Jacobs' show in a feather-trimmed dress with almost no makeup. Since then, she has maintained that she sets aside 15–20 days a year for photo shoots, but recently her workload has increased significantly.

**Shalom Harlow**

Canadian model Shalom Harlow has always been known to the public as a unique girl with a difficult character. For the sake of runway drama, she could even push a colleague on the catwalk (as she bumped into model Brandi Quinones during one of the Versace shows. People thought she did it on purpose back then). She is still distinguished by her outspokenness.

Harlow signed a new contract with IMG Models in 2021. Before that, she was busy treating her health, which was seriously damaged by continuous work—specifically, Lyme disease that had been neglected. Now her income has reached up to 15 million dollars. She participated in the revival of the Donna Karen brand, Schiaparelli shows, the cover of Chinese Vogue, and legendary photoshoots for Versace. In addition, she has been defending the rights of her colleagues at the Model Alliance organization so that the fashion industry does not put other models into the same difficult mental state as she experienced.

**Christie Brinkley**

Despite being over 70, Christie Brinkley's perfect appearance and beauty guarantee her constant employment. In Social Life photos, she looks as cheerful and fit as in the Sports Illustrated shots that made her famous in the 1970s.

This model, who never loses her smile, is still an active entrepreneur, with her wealth estimated at 100 million dollars. Over the years, Brinkley has been involved in the sale of fitness equipment, skincare cosmetics and perfumes, prosecco wine, protective sunglasses, and vision correction eyewear. She has also successfully invested her earnings in elite real estate in the prestigious Hamptons area of the US.

**Iman**

It has been almost forty years since the Somali beauty Iman Abdulmajid entered the fashion world, and she is still working actively. The daughter of a diplomat, the intelligent Iman, who speaks five languages, was once called the "dream woman" by designer Yves Saint Laurent. She paved the way for Black models to reach the big runways. It was thanks to her help and support that stars like Naomi Campbell later shone in the fashion world.

She inherited approximately 125 million dollars from her late husband, musician David Bowie, with whom she lived for a quarter of a century. At the same time, her total capital exceeds 200 million dollars. Today, her main source of active income is her own cosmetics brand. Previously, when foundation creams for dark-skinned customers were scarce, Iman mixed several shades on set to create a suitable color for herself, and later founded a successful business by creating a makeup line specifically for dark skin. Although she does not appear on runways, she remains on magazine covers—her face recently graced the special issues of Harper's Bazaar Arabia and InStyle.