[imagesource: Wellco]

As the headline implies, this story is about how a woman in her 50s, especially one who was known as “The Body”, can still rock a bikini.

There’s this weird misconception that once a woman in the public eye, and especially a model, turns 50, they’re no longer viable and have to go into hiding. If they manage to maintain an “ideal” body type and keep the wrinkles at bay, however, they’ll be rolled out as exceptions to be marvelled at.

So, yeah, Elle MacPherson looks good, and not just “for her age”, but she’s also only four years younger than my mum, so if you came here hoping that I’d ramp up the sleaze you’re going to be disappointed.

This story was covered by the Daily Mail, who love a good bikini story, although they usually focus on Emily Ratajkowski.

In an interview and cover shoot with the August issue of Red magazine, the supermodel, 56, famously nicknamed ‘The Body’, showcased her incredible figure in a selection of swimwear as she told how diets left her feeling ‘demoralised’.

Image: Joseph Montezinos

‘Genetics can only get you so far,’ she explained. ‘By the time you reach 50, you realise it’s all about caring for your body and your levels of vitality, so you can do the things you want to do.

MacPherson describes how she would survive on three hours of sleep and “snack on coffee”.

Elle also shared that despite being known in the fashion industry by the nickname The Body, she was often unimpressed by her own physique.

Image: Joseph Montezinos

‘I don’t think I was very kind to myself when I was younger, especially when it came to appreciating my own uniqueness. Physically, I was broad shouldered, athletic – not a very fashionable body type in the industry at the time.

That’s now the second time that the Daily Mail has referred to her as “The Body”. Throughout the article, I counted five.

‘It took me several years before I was able to fully embrace my individuality, be kinder to myself, and then take command of my business and wellness journey. I’m still working on it!

Image: Joseph Montezinos

‘Kindness is definitely the new cool! I’ve realised it’s important to remember to put yourself in other people’s shoes so you can better appreciate their situation.’

MacPherson has two sons – Arpad Flynn, 22, and Aurelius Cy, 17 – and says that she’s raising them to accept a philosophy of ‘love’.

‘The way people think of love really describes how they relate to and use that energy, that life force. So it shows up in life either as love or its opposite, fear. That’s our most basic choice – which will we act on?

That’s how I teach my boys love. By “being love” all the time, to the best of my ability. And from them, I’ve learned about unconditional love.

Arpad and Aurelius – what a double act.

If you want to follow Elle’s example, and inject a little kindness into the world, the Give Dignity initiative is asking Capetonians to visit a City library nearby to drop off donations of blankets, clothes, tinned food and toiletries in one of the branded Give Dignity donation drums.

These items will be distributed to the homeless, to help them brave an already freezing winter.

[source:dailymail]