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Ageless Style-Deborah Darling

Happy Friday everyone!  Elizabeth (the Vintage Contessa) and I are here on Friday (she accommodated me) instead of our usual last Thursday of the month. Things are a little busy for us as we are moving in two weeks. At any rate, I am so happy to feature the sassy Deborah Darling today.  I absolutely adore her style. How many can wear a man’s shirt, Chuck Taylors, and jeans and look so chic?  Let’s take a peek into Deborah’s bespoke style.  Welcome to Ageless Style-Deborah Darling.

AGELESS STYLE-DEBORAH DARLING

ageless style deborah darling

I love that you didn’t start modeling until your 50’s.  How has that changed your life?

When I sent my photographs to a modeling agency I was working for an IT company as a technical writer. When I got my first couple of modeling jobs a friend suggested that I start an Instagram account for my photographs (what’s Instagram, said I!). I didn’t realize it at the time but recording this new journey on social media would give me the perfect opportunity to challenge negative stereotypes around aging. As this has become my full-time occupation, I guess you could say that starting modeling changed my life completely by setting it on a completely different course!

Tell us the story about your name.

Years ago work colleagues started calling me Deborah Darling. I am not sure exactly how it started, but it caught on quickly, and before long family and friends starting using it too. I loved the name, and when I was looking for a domain name in early 2008 I chose deborahdarling.com so it goes back more than 13 years. These days I feel more like Deborah Darling than Deborah Chambers! (Some of my friends call me Miss Darling, I love that too.)

deborah darling in all black Ageless Style with Cindy Hattersley

Did you begin blogging as a result of the modeling or before?

I created my Instagram account where I started spreading my message after I started modeling. (I don’t have a traditional blog.)

Has your blog evolved over time or has your concept remained the same from the start?

When I started out on this journey I didn’t have a definite plan, I intended to use Instagram to store my photographs (I didn’t have a clue what it was or how it worked at that time). When my following started to grow, and people started reaching out to talk to me about what I was doing, I realized that women really needed to hear that it’s okay to grow older, it’s okay to have wrinkles and grey hair, and that it is possible to try new things no matter how old we are, so that really solidified my mission and my message.

Deborah Darling in Red Pantsuit

What do you find most rewarding about blogging?

I love the idea that I might be instrumental in shifting someone’s perception about getting older. If I can inspire someone to try something new or to make a change in their lives for the better then I feel that my job is done. I get lots of messages from women telling me that something I said in a post gave them a new perspective and made them feel better about themselves. Those messages are the most rewarding thing ever.

Who Inspires You and Why?

At the moment I am very inspired by Joan MacDonald (@trainwithjoan on Instagram).

When Joan was in her early 70s she embarked on a fitness journey and has completely transformed herself from being unfit and out-of-shape to being an absolute powerhouse of fitness and strength, inspiring millions of women to make healthy changes.

deborah darling in jeans and mens shirt

What is your favorite accessory?

I feel lost when I am not wearing one of my big bold rings.

What are your favorite color combinations?

I seem to feel most like “me” when I wear a base of black or grey, although I do add colour in my accessories. (My home, on the other hand, is a riot of colour!)

deborah darling in lavender & chucks

How would you define your own personal style?

Ageless urban chic (I think I made that up 🙂 )

Do you have a signature piece that defines your style?

I love my black leather biker-style jacket. I wear it year-round with almost everything!

deborah darling in lace dress and biker jacket

I notice you have a darling home.  Do you dress like your home?

I am a bit of a collector so my spaces quickly become mini Deborah Darling museums. I buy mostly second-hand items for my home, I love that the idea of old things having their own history, their own soul. I use lots of colour in my home and I like to create layers of interesting things. (I am mesmerized by Linda Rodin’s apartment!)

What are your favorite beauty products and why can’t you live without them?

I apply sunblock every morning, whether I am going to be out in the sun or not. I am using one from la Roche-Posay at the moment, it works like a bomb, and doesn’t burn my eyes.

I must have eyebrows! I have had micro blading because my own brows are very fair and almost non-existent. I add taupe pencil or powder to them for extra definition.

I also love a red lip, I am searching for the perfect one since MAC discontinued my favorite colour 🙁

Lancôme Monsieur Big mascara is my go-to for great volume.

deborah darling with a glass of wine

Do you have any style rules that you live by, or do you choose to break the rules?

I don’t have any hard and fast style rules and I am not a slave to fashion, I wear what feels right for me. Having said that, I do keep one eye on current trends, so that I don’t miss any big changes in shapes and styles, missing those shifts can really date us.

Do you have a particular diet and or exercise regime that you follow

I walk to the gym every weekday morning and do cardio and then some strength training. (This routine has been a bit interrupted of late due to the lockdown, but at the moment gyms are open.)

I try to live by Michael Pollan’s wise words: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

I stopped eating meat about 18 months ago and am reducing the number of animal products in my diet.

deborah darling in polka dots

Do you have any anti-aging foods and or supplements that are your go to’s

I don’t subscribe to the idea of anti-aging in cosmetics, so I don’t buy products that promote looking younger as their central message. I believe that it is a great privilege to be growing older and to have the lines to prove it.

What advice do you have for women over 50 ?

Don’t believe what you hear, it’s never too late.

SHOP DEBORAH’S URBAN CHIC AGELESS STYLE LOOK

Thank you so much Deborah for allowing us a peek into your urban-chic style. You can follow Deborah on Instagram here, and on Youtube here. I am personally inspired to go out and buy a pair of Chuck Taylor 70’s in mens.  I did not know they now have an orthotic insert.  I adore them but quit wearing them because of the comfort level.  Chucks here I come!  You might also enjoy my ageless style interview with another chic gray-haired beauty Kerry Lou here. I hope you all enjoyed Ageless Style-Deborah Darling.  I sure did!  Now pop over and see who Elizabeth is interviewing.  She always finds someone fascinating.

THE VINTAGE CONTESSA

AGELESS STYLE WITH CINDY HATTERSLEY AND THE CONTESSA

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martha foss says

    Hi Cindy!! Wow, Deborah, certainly has style oozing out of her pores!! How fun, to be able to carry that off!! I like, Deborah, have started following “Train with Joan,” and agree she’s amazingly inspirational! Another great blog post. Oh, I got my first CP Shades Lily skirt! I’m hoping I can make it look as chic, as you do!!
    Martha

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Martha

      I hope you love the CP shades skirt as much as I do! I am sure you will look darling in yours.

  2. cristina massaro says

    Hi Miss Darling and Hi Cindy!!
    So nice to spend some time with the womwn we’ld like to meet everyday!! Determined, brave, sure of themselves no matter their ( our) age!! I’m proud to be part of this group. We all worked our lives to reach this level of self consciousness. It would be beautiful if , some day, we try to organize an “Ageless meeting” somewhere….In Italy, perhaps???
    Cristina Massaro

  3. kim says

    Fun post Cindy! I love people like Deborah who love the age they are, and inspire us all to do more of that. She has great style and I can’t wait to follow her. I need those Chuck Taylors too. xo Kim

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kim

      Isn’t Deborah just fab? Let’s get those Chucks in a few colors!! Black and white for sure!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Sarah

      I am so glad you enjoyed it. I feel so fortunate to be able to interview such inspiring ladies like you and Deborah!

  4. Donna says

    What a fresh fun share. She has fabulous style…..I’m thinking ageless urban chic will become my thing…….love the way it sounds. I’m now following her and Joan McDonald. Thanks

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Donna

      I am so glad you enjoyed Deborah’s interview. I thought you all would find her inspiring. I am so glad she connected us with Joan. I had posted a pic of her in one of my stories. Now I know who she is!!

  5. Christine says

    Thank you, Cindy, for sharing Deborah Darling! I’ve bookmarked her blog, and am now following both Deborah and Joan MacDonald on Instagram. I was immediately inspired by both ladies. There’s nothing like other women in our time of life!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Christine

      As I said to Sarah I feel so fortunate to have interviewed so many amazing women over 50. Elizabeth and I have so enjoyed every one of them.

  6. Patty McDonald says

    What hairspray do you use so your hair does not yellow? Love your style!! Thank you for sharing, Cindy!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Patty

      I rarely use hairspray. I use moroccanoil and John Frieda Frizz Ease before I dry my hair. I also get a keratin treatment a couple of times a year. My hair is just wavy enough to be annoying, but not curly enough to be pretty!

  7. Sandra Sallin says

    What a breath of fresh air. I’ve already subscribed to your channel and was delighted listening to you speak. How fresh! Love your look. Chuck Taylor has othodic inserts? Count me in. Your look is so fresh and unique for you. What a delight to have found you. Thank you Cindy. Great find.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Sandra

      I know I had no idea that Chuck’s had inserts. I wore them for years until they killed my feet. I am in!

  8. Joanna says

    Now, that’s a woman with style! Dare I say a little Tom boyish? So fun!
    Now following Debra on Instagram. Thank you for the share, Cindy!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Joanna

      I agree Debra pulls off the tomboyish look with style!! She is wonderful!

  9. 1010Parkplace says

    I love Deborah’s style, her sass and her message and if my hair would do “that” I would do it in a heartbeat. During the last 18 months I’ve been working on a memoir, so I haven’t done a good job of keeping up with Deborah or anyone else for that matter. My loss! xoxox, Brenda

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Brenda

      I have a hard time myself so I totally understand. I am just now getting to these comments. I cannot wait for your book to come out. Keep us all posted!!

  10. Kathy says

    Just what I needed to see this morning! She is gorgeous and I’m heading over to her website. I’ve gained so much weight since Covid & have felt really despondent with myself. Just decided yesterday to cut out meat and go mostly vegetarian. My body is 74, but my brain is still around 35. She is an inspiration and so are you, Cindy. Love your style and honesty.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kathy

      I have the weight issue as well. I was doing really well until with the move (at least I am blaming it on that) I have slipped into eating too many carbs again. Hmmm I am not sure where I weigh in on the body vs brain. Sometimes I can barely remember my name!!

  11. LA CONTESSA says

    HELLLLO DEBORAH!!!
    LONG TIME NO SEE………I was the antiquegoddess for 7 years on THE GRAM and found you way back when!Loved how you would record while driving your MINI?I do believe we had a few messages back and fourth.As I wanted to know if you knew my friends there!
    Congratulations on EVERYTHING!I must follow you AGAIN as I got HACKED than took time off!SORE NECK and just MAD!
    Listen have you tired LINDA RODIN’s RED LIPSTICK?
    I LOVE IT and cannot wear many red’s as they leak into my “HAPPY WRINKLES “as CRISTINA SAYS over on my BLOG!YOU must check her OUT!Her red LIPPY does not run on me!!!AND its a GOOD BLUE RED if you know what I mean!
    WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE TO SEE YOU HERE!!
    It’s like old friends meeting up!
    XXX

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Eliz

      I am so glad you enjoyed Deborah. Maybe I better try Linda Rodin’s red. So far the only lippie that doesn’t creep into my wrinkles or get smeared by my mask is the Chanel long lasting one. I am always up for a new one!!

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