‘ INMY FIFTIES I RETURNED TO MODELLING!’

JOANNE REARDON, 53, TOOK PART

IN A JEANS SHOOT AND ALSO OUR STYLE INSPIRATION PAGES FOR THE CHRISTMAS ISSUE OF W&H. SHE IS A PART-TIME RECEPTIONIST AND IS MARRIED TO FRANK WITH SONS, JAMES, 27, AND WILLIAM, 24.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT… Taking part in the w&h fashion shoots over the past year, which featured real women, really brought back how much I loved fashion and modelling.

I had worked in modelling years ago but when I met my husband at the age of 22, I gave it up. We were looking to get a mortgage, which was hard to do on an unreliable model’s salary. So I got a job as a receptionist at a fashion company. It paid the bills, but the memories of my time modelling never went away.

ARRIVING AT THE W&H PHOTO SHOOT, they had to tell me to calm down I was so excited! I imagined it was a one-time thing, but the photographer and stylist told me there was a demand for models of all ages and asked why I didn’t have an agent. It was hugely exciting to think maybe I could do this again professionally. I was elated

– I never imagined I could make a return to modelling, especially in my fifties.

They told me that all I’d need is a headshot and a full-length photo, which I now had, and told me a few agencies to get in touch with. Although one agency turned me down, another took me on! Being part of this world again feels like a dream come true and something that never would have happened without being in the magazine in the first place.

I don’t know what will happen next, but it’s been a huge confidence boost to revisit this passion that I thought I’d left behind.