Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

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Mary Queen of Shops and My Mother

August 18, 2011 by Helena Halme 8 Comments

Mary Portas. Photo: Telegraph.com

I am extremely happy to see that Mary Portas new collection at House of Fraser is aimed at the over 40’s. As she says, it’s this market segment that has money to spend – not the one populated by the 20-somethings. (Sad as that may be). So why are the models in magazines so young? Maybe, like sex, youth sells?

I thought it was interesting that at the same time as Mary has began a crusade for women looking beautiful at any age, my mother has been approached to model clothes for a fashion boutique in Stockholm. In spite of being in her seventies, she was told she is the perfect shape to take part in their fashion shows.

In a way this came as no surprise to me; she follows the trends – in a grown-up way. Also, in addition to dressing fashionably, she’s always looked much younger than her age. When we’re out together, I am often (in fact almost every time) mistaken for her sister. People are genuinely astonished to find that there is an age gap of over twenty years between us. When I was a teenager this was intensely annoying, now I am rather flattered and hopeful those same genes will serve me well too. (I am an optimist by nature).

So here’s to older women looking beautiful. I will check out Mary Portas collection at House of Fraser on Oxford Street as soon as I can. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of The Mannequin, a nickname my step-father has coined for my mother.

My mother in Östermalmshallen in Stockholm

On her 70th Birthday
With me, in the kitchen, preparing for some party or other….

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Comments

  1. mettebassett.com says

    August 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I looove everything about Mary Portas and could listen to her voice for hours. I am sure her collection is fab too.

    Is that last picture of your mum a recent one? She looks like she is in her 50s. Not bad to be inheriting those genes 🙂
    xx

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    August 18, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    I think that last picture was taken two years ago, so fairly recent. She is amazing, my mother. Such and inspiration too.

    Helena xx

    Reply
  3. Bernie says

    August 18, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    This is not what I get in my e-mail from you. What gives?

    Reply
  4. Helena Halme says

    August 18, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    Bernie, I'll look into it! Sorry…! xx

    Reply
  5. Joanne says

    August 18, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Hooray for both of you, getting on so gracefully. From a big fan….

    Reply
  6. Crosby Kenyon says

    August 19, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I find that first photo in this post very provocative. Your mother looks great.

    Reply
  7. Mrs P says

    August 19, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    How fab to have such good genes in the family – I hope your mother is going to say "yes" to the modelling job x (my mum is 18 years older than me and I agree in my teens it was very annoying being told we looked like sisters)

    Reply
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