World's oldest supermodel hits back at the 'thigh gap' trend - and says the younger generation need to learn some manners

  • 87-year-old Daphne Selfe is the world's oldest working supermodel
  • There is no sign of her slowing down and claims she'll never retire 
  • She has fronted a campaign in Australia for OPSM - Style At Every Age 
  • The striking model gives her tips on how to look good in eyewear
  • She has also spoken about the controversial thigh gap trend in new models

She may be 87, but there is no sign of the world's oldest working supermodel Daphne Selfe slowing down anytime soon.

Along with planning the launch of a mentoring course online for aspiring models with her daughter, the mother-of-three, from Hertfordshire in the UK, is still jet-setting across the world, in demand as the face of numerous campaigns.

And while she credits her impressive figure to her healthy eating and fit lifestyle, the inspirational model has no time for fad diets and shockingly thin frames, in particular, the controversial thigh gap trend flaunted by many in the business.

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Ageless: Daphne Selfe (pictured) the oldest working supermodel in the world

Ageless: Daphne Selfe (pictured) the oldest working supermodel in the world

'You don't have to be that slim': Daphne has spoken out about the controversial thigh gap trend sported by numerous supermodels

'You don't have to be that slim': Daphne has spoken out about the controversial thigh gap trend sported by numerous supermodels

'Clothes definitely look better on a slimmer person, but you don’t have to be that slim,' Daphne told Daily Mail Australia. 

'You just have to be a good posture and a good figure and just have a nice outlook. 

'Positivity and curiosity come to mind. I don’t really like girls who have gaps between their legs.'

The inspirational model was given her break in the modeling world when she was 21, after winning a local competition and landing the cover of the Reading & Berkshire Review.

Daphne has since been photographed by some of the best photographers in the world, including Mario Testino and David Bailey. 

Most recently the energetic model has fronted a campaign for eyewear brand OPSM, which aims to ignite a sense of style in the older generation. 

Daphne in 1950
Daphne in 2009

Natural beauty: Daphne Selfe (pictured left in 1950 and right, in 2009) is fronting a new campaign by OPSM

wearing Berkertex in the 70s
in a home-made dress in the 80s

From left: wearing Berkertex in the Seventies (left); in a home-made dress in the Eighties (right)

She shared her top tip on how to look good in glasses -  always wear eye make-up and present yourself like you normally would.

She claims some older people seem to give up on style and end up dressing causally for every occasion, which she thinks is sad. 

'I don’t know what it is they just lose their enthusiasm for dressing up or for making themselves look nice,' she said. 

'I go to the theatre quite a lot and I always wear a skirt but people don’t bother now, they go in trousers and I think it’s a shame and disrespectful to the actors.' 

Not giving up: Despite her impressive age, Daphne says there is no chance of her retiring any time soon

Not giving up: Despite her impressive age, Daphne says there is no chance of her retiring any time soon

The OPSM campaign saw Daphne fly to Australia at the beginning of July for the first time, where she was astonished by just how beautiful Sydney's iconic harbour is in real life.

'I only had a week which wasn't long enough,' she said. 

'I loved seeing all the wonderful buildings and the Opera House and the art gallery and looking at the park opposite the hotel it was really beautiful. 

'We did go to Bondi Beach for dinner one night to Icebergs and that was extraordinary. The water breaking over into that swimming pool – I don’t think I’d ever go in there.'

Ms Selfe said she has no plans to retire anytime soon.

'I don’t think models and actors ever retire they just sort of fade away,' she said. 

'It’s exciting you never know what’s going to turn up next.' 

Open to new projects: Daphne says it's exciting because she never knows what's going to turn up next  

Open to new projects: Daphne says it's exciting because she never knows what's going to turn up next  

True love: She married Jim Smith in 1954 and moved to Hertfordshire where she raised her three children 

True love: She married Jim Smith in 1954 and moved to Hertfordshire where she raised her three children 

Family: Daphne with her husband Jim and son Mark. Her career was always in the back of her mind and she entered the workforce again at the age of 70

Family: Daphne with her husband Jim and son Mark. Her career was always in the back of her mind and she entered the workforce again at the age of 70

She's modelled for Dolce and Gabanna, Red or Dead and countless high-street stores, making her one of the most in demand supermodels in the UK.

But her awe-inspiring portfolio didn't come without years of tough slogging throughout the fashion industry, knocking on photographers doors just get a job. 

Daphne says her strong work ethic stood to her when she was trying to crack into the industry and believes models these days need to be more helpful on set and take care of their bodies.

'Make sure you’re presentable and disciplined and able to be on time and be helpful to the photographers,' she said. 

'A work ethic is the word. I don’t think people are brought up quite the same as we were. We were very strictly brought up in those days. I was brought up to have manners.'

She claims the fashion landscape has 'changed out of all recognition' since she was a  21-year-old, 5ft 7in and ten stone model, starting out in the industry.

'In my day there weren't nearly so many models': Daphne says modern models are 'thinner, taller, different sizes and different races' compared to when she was growing up
'In my day there weren't nearly so many models': Daphne says modern models are 'thinner, taller, different sizes and different races' compared to when she was growing up

'In my day there weren't nearly so many models': Daphne says modern models are 'thinner, taller, different sizes and different races' compared to when she was growing up 

Where it all began: The Reading and Berkshire cover that launched Daphne’s career

Where it all began: The Reading and Berkshire cover that launched Daphne’s career

If you've got it, flaunt it: Sporting swimwear in the 50s

If you've got it, flaunt it: Sporting swimwear in the 50s

'In my day there weren't nearly so many models and now there are all different kinds,' she said.

'They’re thinner, taller, different sizes, different races. 

'You pounded the streets, you had a list of photographers and you used to literally have to walk around and go to them all and see if they like the look of you for jobs.

'I've always had to work hard for mine.

'We didn't get pampered like they do now.'

She married Jim Smith in 1954, stopped modelling and moved to the countryside, where she raised her three children - Mark, Claire and Rose.

However her rapid career was never far from her mind and at the age of 70, after her beloved husband died from a long illness, Daphne was rediscovered and catapulted herself back into the modelling world. 

Since then she has continuously been working and credits her mother for her staying power, claiming the strong work ethic is in her genes.

'I was kind of born like that,' she said of her unwavering dedication to her work. 

'I sleep well but I do watch what I eat and I do exercise. 

'I was a dancer and I used to ride horses so I've got a history of exercise so I just keep up as best I can.

'I eat breakfast and I've three meals a day. I don’t buy packet food, I cook a lot myself and I eat a lot of raw food.' 

 

 

 

 

 

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