Mickey Monroe
AN INTERVIEW
Model Mickey Monroe isn’t interested in hearing that women over 50 are on the shelf, and that they belong in some “grey-haired world”. In fact, she isn’t interested in anti-aging either, because she believes in an ageless life and is certainly living proof. When Mickey met us for breakfast in Chelsea, she breezed in looking youthful, confident and extremely comfortable in her own skin.
Mickey started modeling at the tender age of 17, and soon earned the name Baby Face because of her cherub-like features. She featured on teen magazines covers like Honey and Blitz and her bleached blonde hair and edgy look made her stand out from other models; she was and still is gorgeously unique.
After modeling she travelled, married and had three lovely sons, before successfully re-inventing herself as the Commercial Director for a handbag company. Clearly still too young at heart though, Mickey eventually took redundancy - “I couldn’t stand the idea of going into work on a Monday and wishing it was Friday”,
With that same fearless attitude, Mickey took the bull by the horns and walked back into her former modeling agency Storm, convincing them that they needed her back! Seeing she was absolutely right, they duly re-signed her. Sitting with Mickey you can’t help but want to look as amazing as she does; she oozes the ultimate cool look effortlessly. We have no doubt that she’ll be in huge demand, “I still feel 21, and we shouldn’t be seen as wild, we should be seen as normal!”, she told us.
We love Mickey’s philosophy, encompassing everything in which Beautiful Thinking believes. She wants women to stop being sold an impossible dream; “just because you feel amazing, maybe you don’t look amazing, and just because you look amazing doesn’t mean you feel amazing”. She describes this time in her life as a “crusade’, and we have no doubt she’ll succeed.
Mickey’s lifestyle is a healthy and straight-forward one; she doesn’t smoke, practices yoga (including dynamic yoga) – and has been on a Macrobiotic diet for 20 years. She’s “happily divorced” and surrounded by wonderful supportive girlfriends.
We wish Mickey a very happy future back in modeling, although we’re not sure she’s going to need it! She’s graciously answered our 5 Beautiful Thinking questions below.
1. What’s the best thing about getting older?
As my 50th birthday approached last year I felt a foreboding sense of doom.
I was expecting a nervous breakdown! A feeling of despair, but weirdly the opposite happened. I was liberated from the age game, the urge to count candles, the countdown was over. I am here!! Over the other side! Yes the future is most definitely shorter than the past....
But its OK... there’s no 'best thing'.... there simply just is, here and now...
2. Who is your female inspiration and why?
I’m inspired by the 'sisterhood' that surrounds female companionship, its undefined...I cannot imagine life without the love and support of all the females in my world, there is no individual inspiration.... we as women are a collective.
3. What’s your top tip for growing old gracefully, perhaps one beauty tip?
Feeling & looking great.... is diet, exercise & with that clarity of mind.... Oh yes!! And not having any shitty blokes around your universe!!!! That shit ages you. Ha,Ha.
4. What would your younger self say to you now?
My younger self was a far gobbier individual from Glasgow...she would have lots to say no doubt, but I think she would be happy with the person she sees before her.
5. What are your dreams for your future?
At this time in my life I’m juggling a lot of balls in the air, navigating through what could be termed a 'mid life crisis' ...but that sounds negative...
I’m in exactly the right place where I am meant to be in my life...I am thankful, I am blessed.... let the good times role, the future can look after itself.
Instagram: @mickeymonroexx
Storm: www.stormmanagement.com/models/mickey-monroe/
Photograph Credit: Sylwia Szyplik
Instagram: @sszyplik