A model agency which counts Sophie Dahl, Yasmin Le Bon and Linda Evangelista amongst its models has added a new face to its roster of classic models, Jenny Stoute, age 53 from London.
Jenny was one of the winners of JDW Midster Model, a nationwide search by online retailer JD Williams, which sought to find two unsigned older models to star in the brand’s future advertising and PR campaigns.
The search was launched on the back of research which revealed a nation of women feeling ignored by the fashion and advertising industries, with 79 per cent of women aged 45+ claiming British brands and retailers aren’t using enough ‘Midster’ women in their advertising.
Despite more brands using high profile older celebrities in their adverts, 8 in 10 British women aged 45+ still don’t feel represented enough in TV adverts, 70% feel ignored by the high street and 8 in 10 believe that their age group isn’t represented on fashion catwalks.
Following a three month search in collaboration with Models 1, Jenny Stout from London was one of two winners selected from the 600 women who entered and has since appeared in the brand’s Spring Summer 2019 look book shoot and made her catwalk debut in JD Williams’ Midster Live catwalk show, which took place on the eve of London Fashion Week.
With several fashion shoots and appearances under her belt, Jenny was ecstatic to be called back to Models 1 and offered representation on their books.
Jenny, who is also an ex-Olympic athlete, says: “I heard about the model search from a friend on Instagram who thought I would be perfect for the brand. I did a little bit of research to see if I would fit the brand and ethos and immediately resonated with it; to feel comfortable in your own skin no matter your age or size. Women in middle age still have something to give that is valuable and can still be attractive, confident and fashionable’.
JD Williams spokesperson Ed Watson added: “As a brand which caters for women who are 45+, we are committed to using age appropriate models in our campaigns. We had a fantastic response to the search and Jenny has been a brilliant ambassador and model for our SS19 campaigns. Her signing to Models 1 truly shows there are no limits as to what you can achieve in your Midster years and we’re very proud we have given her this fabulous new career opportunity’.
Uwe Herzstein, senior agent at Models 1, says: “Models 1 was part of the JD Williams Midster Model search and we are very excited to have offered representation to one of the winners, Jenny Stoute. Jenny is a beautiful woman with a great personality and charisma. We are looking forward to working with her.”
