Carmen Dell'orefice - Fabulous At Any Age

The world’s oldest working model looks back on more than 60 years of photographs in Harper’s BAZAAR.

- Pamela Fiori

Carmen Dell’Orefice was just 13 years old when she was discovered on a crosstown bus on New York’s 57 th Street, some 73 years ago. CNow, at 86, she’s still at it, which makes her the longest-working model in history. That’s her story and she’s sticking to it. And why not? It happens to be true.

I’ve known Carmen (she goes by her first name only) for more than 20 years. But even today when I am in her company, I cannot take my eyes off her. That’s how strikingly beautiful she is. She’s also one of the sweetest people on the planet. There’s not a diva’s bone in her five foot-nine-inch body—though she’d be the first to admit that her bones are a bit more brittle these days.