In the world of fashion, the idea of aging isn’t always considered desirable. Most fall into a lifelong race to “beat” aging, or — the trendiest option — to “age gracefully.”
When it comes to fashion and aging, any sense of individuality seems to be thrown out, with so-called “sensible” options — trading out shorts for capris and tank tops for button-ups — being the norm.
The unavoidable truth is that everyone ages, whether it is graceful or not, so why not enjoy it in the process?
There has to be a way to defy expectations, encompassing both fashion and personality, to age powerfully and unapologetically and the members of At Home by High (AHBH) — a Columbus-based nonprofit dedicated to helping older adults “age in place,” by providing a place where aging adults can remain in the communities and homes they love and out of long-term care facilities for as long as possible — seem to be doing exactly that.
According to its website, AHBH supports residents in many Columbus communities — including The Circles, Dennison Place, Harrison West, Italian Village, Milo-Grogan, NECKO, Victorian Village, University District and Weinland Park — to host regular coffee meet-ups, a weekly walking group and craft dates at a local recreation center as well as provide daily transportation and renter and medical assistance to its members.
The nonprofit exists to support and empower.
Rochelle Fluellen, Wanda Holliday and Deborah Longoria — all members of AHBH — have learned what it means to age in style, all having the guts to rock their clothing without the world’s permission — something that we all could use some help with.
Fluellen — who was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio — said she is a true lover of fashion who keeps busy, dressing her best no matter where she is or what she’s doing.
“I’m in a lot of organizations, so I go to a lot of balls,” Fluellen said. “Yeah, I love to dress up.”
Though she said she first started developing her own unique style in high school, she knows that she has only begun to dress up more with age.
“I’m bold. I try a lot of different things,” Fluellen said. “My kids have copied off of me. I noticed that they wear what I would wear.”
There is clearly no age cut-off when it comes to fashion, and Fluellen’s fun prints and regal poses prove exactly that.
“I don’t want to dress like a grandma,” Fluellen said. “I don’t want to put on a house dress and stay in. I want to get out and do things.”
Holliday, having just turned 84, said she couldn’t agree more.
“I know I’m in my 80s, but I’m not going to wear bowling shirts and polyester pants,” Holiday said. “I just like to look nice. I like that wow factor. My daughter gives me all her tops because she likes glitter like I do.”
Holiday, like Fluellen, said she knows that she is going to wear whatever she wants — whether or not it’s approved by everyone else — and she doesn’t stop at clothing. Holliday said that her hair is a huge part of her individuality.
“The ladies in my family never went gray,” Holiday said. “I had six gray hairs, and I treasured them. Then, I said, ‘I’m tired of the dull brown; let me spark it up.’”
With her blonde hair and evening gown, Holliday is an absolute vision — and she knows it.
“I feel very confident in myself,” Holiday said. “I really do.”
Longoria, also known as Debi Dior — a nickname that she said came to be back in her 30s, when she lived and modeled in Miami, Florida — said she lived with a certain vitality and glamor when she was younger.
From photoshoots wearing her beloved Christian Dior to parties with A-list celebrities, even Longoria’s dog’s name is Zsa Zsa Gabor, which she said in an ode to the Hungarian-American star of John Huston’s 1952 film “Moulin Rouge.”
“I hung around a lot of drag queens, for one,” Longoria said. “So that got me started. I always liked to look through fashion magazines, and I would try different makeup looks. I went to school to do makeup.”
When it comes to her style, Longoria said it’s all about a feeling.
“Even if I’m feeling bad, if I go by a window and see myself, I get a boost,” Longoria said. “If I’m feeling good, you can’t tell me nothing.”
Longoria holds herself to a certain standard, saying she never wants to be caught wearing the same outfit too often.
Longoria said she also doesn’t ever wear anything that she hasn’t hand-picked for herself and said she would describe her personal style as “a rock’n’roll drag queen.”
“I keep clothes for a long time,” Longoria said. “You get rid of some of your clothes, obviously, but there are some things you keep as long as you can.”
When asked how she remains so confident after all this time, Longoria had the perfect answer.
“I have always been very extravagant and didn’t mind when people looked at me,” Longoria said.
Break down any preconceived notions about fashion and aging and take some advice from Fluellen, Holliday and Longoria; live the life you want to live and wear the clothes you want to wear — you’ll be much better for it.
STUDIO Spacejunk / MODELS Rochelle Fluellen, Wanda Holiday and Deborah Longoria / PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Beaumont / Thanks to At Home by High and its executive director Katie Beaumont
