Grey is the new black! KIWI AGENT'S MODEL REVOLUTION

When she decided to open her own agency, Rebecca decided it was time to celebrate women over the age of 50 – and it’s taking of

- Fleur Guthrie

If anyone knows that grey is the new black, it’s Rebecca Swaney. As the owner of the only agency in New Zealand specializing in mature models, she’s discovered that the women on her books are redefining the runway and putting paid to the notion of becoming invisible as you age.

In 2019, when Rebecca bought Silverfox MGMT, she started with 14 models. That’s now grown to 75, with the average age being 52 years old. While she never set out to become the voice of the positive-age movement, her goal now is to normalize older women and men in fashion editorials and advertising campaigns.

“I love it when a client may have been hesitant to go with an older model, but it pays off,” explains Rebecca, 53. “When a major lingerie company booked our model Rechelle, who is 50, tattooed and has a nose ring, they got a hugely positive response on social media when they used her images.

“The generation of over- 50s are a completely different breed coming through to what I was used to growing up. Their lives are full in a different way and they have a lot more choices than perhaps keeping a spotless house or being a traditional housewife, whose sole focus is her family.”

Although Rebecca doesn’t describe herself as a model, she signed up to a talent agency after her second child was born, and has been the face and voice of a Kiwi flooring company for the past 14 years.