MY FASHIONABLE LIFE: KAREN ELSON

THE LANCASHIRE-BORN MODEL LOOKS BACK ON NINETIES STYLE, THE POWER OF FASHION IN YOUR 4Os AND THE BEAUTY OF BEING A REDHEAD

The model on Nineties style, buying vintage with Marc Jacobs and her approach to fashion in her 40s

GROWING UP IN LANCASHIRE , I HAD NO STYLE.

I was quite wild-looking. I had strawberry-blonde Shirley Temple curls; my knees were always scraped, my dresses always wrinkled. My shoes were scruffy because I’d spend forever on the swings and scuff them.

I WAS 16 WHEN FASHION ENTERED THE EQUATION.

I went to Paris for my first big job, and the French took one look at me and said, ‘Non, non, non.’ So my agent took me to Zara and we bought a black trench coat and a black dress. It was before I was a flaming bright redhead, and they cut my hair into a very chic, short haircut. It was the first time I went, ‘Oh, OK. This is fashion.’

I WAS EXPERIMENTAL WHEN I STARTED MODELLING.

I was friends with shoe designer Tabitha Simmons, who was also modelling. We went to Tokyo for work and got very into wigs. Every night, we’d think, What wigs shall we wear? We looked insane, in fluorescent yellow or white ones. There were definitely questionable moments.

I DEVELOPED MY OWN SENSE OF STYLE WHEN I WENT TO NEW YORK.

I was 18 or 19, and started going to flea markets with the designer Anna Sui – it became a ritual to meet Marc Jacobs there. Anna was pivotal in helping me discover my own taste.

I WAS A VINTAGE STORE QUEEN.

I’ve still got so many pieces from that time in New York. It was when I discovered Ossie Clarke: beautiful dresses from the 196Os and 197Os that you can wear forever. But your style changes when you have kids. I developed a more utilitarian uniform – you can’t run around the playground in a 197Os Saint Laurent dress! Well, you can, but not without ruining it…

MY FIRST FASHION PAY CHECK WAS £2O,OOO.

It was when I went to Tokyo. For a 16 or 17-year-old from the north of England, it was a huge, huge deal. I bought my mum a car, and myself a few pairs of Dr. Martens. I’d had loads of fakes, but I thought I’d treat myself to the real ones. It’s funny, my daughter wears Dr. Martens now with all my old T-shirts. It’s amazing to look at my wardrobe through her eyes.

ANY TIME I’VE GONE BLONDE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE.

I thought I’d look like Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby, with a cute little blonde pixie cut. But having white-blonde hair with my pale, pale skin... not right. Any time I’ve steered away from red has been bad!

MY MOST TREASURED ITEM IS A DRESS BY ALEXANDER McQUEEN WHILE HE WAS AT GIVENCHY.

I was his date to a fancy event with Elton John. It was a shoulderless, ruffled gown. It was like being Cinderella. I still have it – it doesn’t zip up anymore, but it’s so treasured because it reminds me of his beautiful spirit.

I FEEL MY BEST RIGHT NOW, IN MY 4Os.

Women get told we’re in our prime when we’re in our 2Os, but I know myself. I’ve definitely started to appreciate less va va voom, more simple styles. So my advice would be, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s not worth wearing. Comfort over anything else!

The Red Flame by Karen Elson is out now