The 71 year-old runway model: a field guide
Don't believe Janice Dickinson. The first supermodel was born in 1939, and her name is Veruschka. A veteran of Vogue covers, art parties and surrealist '60s films, the Russian born star taught Janice, Naomi, Linda and the teenagers she shared a catwalk with in London yesterday, how to work the runway.
At 71, she took the stage at the Giles show at London Fashion Week in a fluffy helmet, Ziggy Stardust eyeshadow and a ballgown. She didn't look a day over 70.
Unlike other aging stars, Veruschka doesn't mask her wrinkles or gray hairs. She wears her years, paired with her signature quirky style, like a statement piece. You would too if you had her life. Here's a brief history:
When she was five, her dad was executed for attempting to kill Hitler. Did you get that? Her dad tried to kill Hitler. She's made from the stock of heroes.
As a teenager her family was homeless.
She was discovered at 20 while studying art in Hamburg.
She did a shoot with Salvador Dali.
She was the subject of a photo book. Know what it was called? Veruschka.
She played herself in Antonioni's 1966 cult hit, "Blowup"
She modeled for Gucci in the '60s and the photo was so timeless, they pulled it out of the archives for a 2010 campaign.
Her travels with Luigi Pistilli, the Steve McQueen of Italy, was captured in a self-titled psychedelic film about her life in 1971.
The band Suede used of a picture of her for the cover of one of their singles.
When the editor of Vogue told her to cut her hair in the early 70s, she quit the fashion business.
An art star in the late '90s, she made several short films. There's one in which she's covered in ash.
She lives in New York with her lover, Mischa Waschke, who is also her assistant.
Did I mention, she's a Countess?