SENIORS : Model Citizen : At age 73, Helene Sanchez attends a modeling convention in an effort to ‘get discovered.’
Last Thursday began normally for Helene Sanchez of Camarillo. She ate breakfast, then fixed her hair and makeup. By 10:15 a.m. Sanchez was walking down a ballroom runway before a glitzy crowd of nearly 500 people at the Westin-Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.
Runway modeling was the last event during the weeklong International Modeling and Talent Assn. (IMTA) Convention held annually in Los Angeles and New York. At age 73, Sanchez was at the convention trying to “get discovered.”
Considered to be the biggest showcase in the country for new models and aspiring actors, the IMTA convention attracted more than 700 contestants ranging from children to an octogenarian. Also attending were 150 international agents, personal managers and casting directors. They were scouting new faces and talent for fashion magazines, print and television commercials, daytime television shows, sitcoms and films. Only 15 seniors participated in this year’s convention. But Helen Rogers, president of IMTA, said the number is growing along with the demand for older models. “Older people bring life experience that allows them to perform and make a script believable,” Rogers said. Also, Georges Mouchantaf, chairman of IMTA, said more agents and clients realize they must use models with whom people in their target market can identify.
All week Sanchez shared a room with her friend and sponsor, Connie Stahl, owner of Expectations Modeling Services of Oxnard. According to Sanchez, “It’s a new chapter in my life. But it also brings back memories of girlhood experiences like slumber parties.”
And like slumber parties of old, there was very little sleep for Sanchez at this event. Instead, she attended seminars, was photographed for commercial print advertising and showed her portfolio to various agents. Next, she taped a sample commercial. “The TV commercial beauty event was a closed set,” Sanchez said. “I held the facial soap and they told me to project my lines.” Sanchez found runway modeling the most challenging event. “You have such great expectations for yourself,” she said.
Most fashion models hide--even lie about--their age. But Sanchez considers it a privilege to be 73. Furthermore, she has never taken modeling classes, although she has occasionally modeled locally since 1960.
Sanchez was 70 when she entered the Ms. Senior America Pageant. Her talent was singing. “At my age,” she said, “if it’s not going to be fun, I don’t want it.” Last July she won a trophy as first runner-up in the over-60 category of the California Beauties of America pageant.
A communications graduate from the University of Southern California, Sanchez used her bilingual skills for 17 years in public relations before her retirement. She attributes her good health and attitude to exercise, good diet and 16 glasses of water daily. But she is quick to also credit Albert, her husband of 54 years. “He’s very supportive,” Sanchez said. “I have an upbeat husband who I never consider anything but my lover.”
Sanchez hopes to be a role model for other seniors. “I’d like for them to get out and be proud to present themselves well--they don’t have to crawl in a hole. Life is to be lived and to be shared.”
