A Moment with Rachel Waller: Embracing Age, Beauty, and Modeling Later in Life
Rachel Waller has carved out a significant space for herself in the modelling industry, an industry often focused on youth. At an age when many are contemplating retirement, Rachel embarked on a new career journey, proving that beauty and grace know no age limits. With her vibrant spirit and unwavering commitment to well-being, she has become an inspiring figure for many. Join us as we delve into her philosophy on life, beauty, and the remarkable journey that led her to become a model in her sixties.
Rachel, you've established yourself in a field that often emphasises youth. What inspired you to begin a modeling career later in life?
I’m an accidental model... literally. I was working in interiors and had an accident, breaking my shoulder badly. Unable to work after surgery for several months, my eldest daughter Alex cajoled me into sending photos to agencies, and I was offered a contract on the spot. I was in my early sixties, and I wouldn’t have my career if it wasn’t for my beautiful girl.
Could you describe your philosophy on well-being and how you integrate it into your daily routine?
I think doing something—ANYTHING—you love each day, no matter how small, is paramount to well-being. A lot of life can be repetitive or mundane, but finding the joy in the ordinary is really the trick. I mean, you’re talking to someone who gets high on life in an op shop!
“A lot of life can be repetitive or mundane,
but finding the joy in the ordinary is really the trick.”
Do you have any specific self-care rituals that you find particularly effective for rejuvenation and keeping your spirit uplifted?
My exercise and workout routines are hardwired into me. All my life I’ve maintained a fitness level that I hope will propel me into my seventies, eighties, and hopefully beyond. I’m not always motivated, but I am extremely disciplined. My day ahead is set after a very early workout, usually six days a week. If I don’t get it done first thing, then it’s not going to happen, and the majority of my sessions are alone.
In an industry that values appearance, how do you approach skincare and beauty routines to feel your best both inside and out?
With simplicity. I really haven’t deviated from the same beauty routines for 45 years. I’ve worn virtually no makeup on my skin all my life. I’ve also been putting oil on my face since my twenties. Beauty routines are so much more to me than topical products. Sunshine, great nutrition, and a balance of nature are the biggest parts of my approach to self-care. Let’s not forget sleep, one of the most powerful tools of wellness. I’m extremely lucky that I sleep exceptionally well and can power nap (which I do) during the day. I’m very aware that so many, including my three daughters, often find sleep elusive. As I age, I’m realizing more and more it’s an exceptional but often overlooked gift to rest well.
How have you seen the fashion and modeling industries change in terms of diversity and inclusion since you started your career?
As I restarted my career in my early sixties, it’s fair to say that the industry was already changing. I think the models who have had longevity in their careers and continued to work over decades are the ones that forged the way for people like me, and I’m forever grateful for their persistence. I’m working more in New York now, and I’m hearing that the shift is real there. The U.S. has been in the lead with surgical procedures in the pursuit of youthfulness for decades worldwide. There is now some leaning into wellness and a more gentle, natural approach to aging and diversity, which is becoming evident there too.
How has your personal style evolved over the years?
If life’s a circle, then the closer I get to the end, the closer I get to the start. By that, I mean I started buying secondhand clothes and bric-a-brac when I was sixteen. There was a market on a Tuesday morning where I lived in England, and we’d go before school to buy. Back then, I used to pick up fabulous suits from the 1940s and great dance dresses and silk scarves. My wardrobe now is still full of structured and tailored separates, and although the geography of where you live plays a big part in how you dress, I’ve maintained that early style to this day on the other side of the world with a slight twist.
Have you read any books or seen any films lately that left a lasting impression?
I’ve just read The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley again after a few decades. I still love it. It’s one of my all-time favorite films with Julie Christie. That film began my love of country homes.
What are some of your favorite meals to prepare and share with family or friends?
I can hear a resounding answer from my four children and grandchildren: Mum’s BBQ spare ribs and, for pudding, her sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce! I’ve cooked and baked from scratch my whole life and still do every day. I adore a family feast—well, I just adore my family.
Have there been any mentors or thinkers who have guided your journey or personal philosophy on living well?
Many people look to those they have never met for guidance or direction. I’m going to go closer to home and say my ex-husband. We got married very young. He was the best in the world at what he did as an Olympian and multiple world record holder. He always stayed in his own lane, ran his own race if you will, and taught me to do the same and to take risks. It takes great courage to live your life differently and stay true to yourself. It’s a style of life rather than a lifestyle, and I learned so much from the way he balanced it all.
Where is your favorite place in the world to escape to when you need to take a breath?
Home. I love coming home. I have hermit tendencies. When I’m home, I’m really home.
Could you leave our readers with one piece of guidance or words of wisdom that have been particularly impactful for you?
Hmm, let me think about this one. I’d say listen very carefully to that little inner voice—the one whose name is Intuition. There have been times when I have chosen to ignore it and things have gone badly wrong, and in equal measure, there have been times when I acted on that quiet voice to extraordinary outcomes. Remember always that it’s your heart that hears that voice first.
Follow Rachel at @inhersixties
Interview by Anna Harding
Photography by Rachel