Can a career in the fiercely competitive world of fashion truly span decades, defying the relentless march of time and the industry's obsession with youth? For Carmen Dell'Orefice, the answer is a resounding, inspirational yes, as she continues to grace runways and magazine covers well into her ninth decade, proving that true beauty and enduring success know no age.
Born in New York City on June 3, 1931, Carmen Dell'Orefice's story is a testament to resilience, grace, and the transformative power of reinvention. Her journey began, quite unexpectedly, on a New York City bus. It was 1944, and at the tender age of 13, while en route to a ballet class, she was spotted by the wife of photographer Herman Landschoff, who recognized the striking potential in the young girl. This chance encounter would set in motion a career that would redefine beauty standards and challenge the very notions of age and beauty within the fashion industry.
The swirl of platinum hair that frames her beautiful face gives Carmen Dell'Orefice an aura befitting an icon, a living legend who has witnessed and shaped the evolution of fashion from the mid-20th century to the present day. Her career, which began at 15, boasts an impressive trajectory, spanning 77 years. Her last name is difficult for others to pronounce, so she prefers just using her first name, as she has become a favorite of many photographers and was fully booked by such magazines as Vanity Fair and Harpers Bazaar.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carmen Dell'Orefice |
| Birth Date | June 3, 1931 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Known For | World's oldest working supermodel, actress |
| Modeling Career Start | 1946 (at age 15) |
| Significant Career Highlights | Vogue cover (1947), appearances in Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, runway appearances for major designers including Norisol Ferrari, campaigns for Rolex and Target. |
| Marital Status | Married and Divorced multiple times. |
| Children | 1 Daughter |
| Notable Quotes | "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter. |
| Reference Website | Vogue |
Carmens hard work paid off and in October 1947, she appeared on the cover of Vogue, her first appearance. In those early days, the young model faced financial struggles, and, as she has mentioned, she began earning money for her family. Growing up, her family faced significant financial struggles. It was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, the 1930s. Championed by Bazaar editors Diana Vreeland and Carmel Snow, Dell'Orefice embraced the fashion world of the '40s and '50s as her adoptive family, and she became a favorite of many photographers and was fully booked by such magazines as Vanity Fair and Harpers Bazaar.
Her life story, aside from her very long and successful career in front of a camera, could easily be a movie, a TV series or play, full of drama of fate, New York, and family. Her father was a violinist with Italian roots, and her mother was a ballerina of Hungarian descent. As a child, she dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps and also taking up ballet. She was born on June 3, 1931, in New York. The stunning model with her wild hair, striking eyes and long, slender legs, has always been an icon of beauty.
Before Naomi, before Linda, before Twiggy, there was Carmen Dell'Oreficethe O.G. The model's star sign is Gemini and she is now 93 years of age. At 85, Carmen DellOrefice is officially one of the worlds oldest working supermodels (the number one slot goes to Daphne Selfe, 88) and as can be seen from her latest campaign with Airfield, she is living by Twains ideology. "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter.
Carmen Dell'Orefice, who turns 85, once told Vogue, "The story line is what a photograph is all about. At 81, Carmen DellOrefice hasn't retired her heels, the stylish senior citizen three to four times older than todays models walked the Norisol Ferrari Spring / Summer 2013 show, and the Red Dress Collection 2005 fashion show, on National Wear Red Day.
In the mid 1960s, Carmen Dell'Orefice met architect, Richard Kaplan. She says with a twinkle, I married two richards so it was easier rolling over in bed at night,. Discovering he couldnt have children was a big disappointment. Another unemployed gentleman, her new husband busied himself as a patron of the arts. In the late 1980s, DellOrefice was engaged to television talk show host David Susskind. He died before they were married. In 1993, a neighbor introduced her to Norman F. Levy, who was Bernard Madoffs best friend.
Touted as the oldest working model, DellOrefice grew up in Vogue, first. She made her 49 million dollar fortune with Vogue, Target, and Rolex. Her life, filled with dramatic ups and downs, could be a movie.
Carmen Dell'Orefice was born in New York City, and at the tender age of 13, while riding a bus, destiny intervened when the wife of a photographer recognized the potential in the young Carmen and encouraged her to pursue a career in modeling. She was approached to model by the wife of photographer Herman Landschoff while riding a bus to ballet class at the age of 13. Amazingly, she has been modeling since she was 15, boasting an impressive career that spans 77 years.
