Celebrating ageing with an intergenerational fashion show

In a society where generations are pitted against each other, speaking to people of different ages can go a long way to changing our opinions about what it means to be a certain age.

Read on to find out how Age UK Carlisle & Eden teamed up with a local college to mark our Action Day with an intergenerational fashion show.

The Action Day is a chance for individuals and communities, workplaces, friends and families to learn, take action and help change the way we think about ageing. In 2024 the theme was ‘See and Be Seen’.

Joanne, the Age-Friendly Coordinator of Age UK Carlisle & Eden, told us that the fashion show aimed to challenge ideas about older people by ensuring that they could be "seen for who they are, what they do and what they contribute to our city."

She said, "sometimes our older generation slip under the radar when it comes to advertising and events. I think that we need to sing about their contribution to our communities as carers, babysitters, volunteers and much more."

Intergenerational collaboration

As part of the aim to challenge stereotypes, Joanne explained that she wanted the fashion show to be intergenerational. People over the age of 55 volunteered to be models, and Joanne approached a local college inviting students to help put on the show. She told us, "We went along and spoke to the students who were doing a Level 2 textile course and asked them what they thought an older person would wear. Trousers and a coat with shopping bag was the response! We soon helped them to see that this was not the case. The students were tasked with dressing a model using the clothes from our charity shops."

As planning for the show continued, it became a project of community collaboration. Joanne said, "we had an offer from the media department to stage our show in their theatre so that students could work on a live performance. And to bring it together we had offers from local make-up artists and the show was compared by the owner of a local theatre school. All gave their time and expertise for free and loved the idea of trying to challenge ageism."

Changing minds and challenging ageism

Over 70 people attended the fashion show and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Joanne told us that, "the volunteers that took part enjoyed it so much that they asked to do another. The audience loved the show and I think some were shocked at the energy that the models brought to it. We definitely got people talking."

When we asked Joanne why intergenerational discussion is important, she explained, "it is good for sharing wisdom, knowledge, and experience. It generates better understanding and appreciation of each other, breaks down ageism and creates stronger family ties as well as more inclusive communities."

If you want to find out more about how you can take part in our next Age Without Limits Action Day (June 2025) don’t forget to sign up to our Age Without Limits newsletter or follow us on social media! 

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