For those interested in fashion, you couldn’t have failed to notice that rather than the catwalk press being dominated by plus-side models (thank you Mark Fast), the major trend this year was all grey.  The fashion industry, which is always so quick to embrace the new has been celebrating the old – and in my opinion, this is one trend which isn’t going to die (excuse the macabre pun)

In August, 45 year old model Kristen McEnemay appeared on the cover of Vogue flaunting naturally grey hair.  In the 30^th Anniversary issue of i-D, the back page interview was not Aggy or Henry (of Hagrid if you ask me) but with Mrs Burstein, the 84 year old fashion legend and founder of Browns.  Even some of the lovely above the line from Missoni features women of a certain age.  Men have had it easy for a while. Cantona, Clooney and even Richards haven’t been held back by their age presenting an image of hard work, intellect and of course MONEY!

PR as an industry has often focused on opinion formers which are stereotypically seen as young (probably living in Hoxton where they are just about to release their first record – yawn).  But what makes them anymore an opinion former than Kristen McMenamy, the model who pioneered the natural grey look?

People are getting older for longer and many of the young and cool kids we often focus on have less money and an even shorter attention span.  We need to wake up and smell the money

I have, since I joined the PR industry always said that the best way to great ideas was to have a truly diverse team of people.  I hope the comms industry follows the trend, set by the fashion industry and rather than always focusing on the bright young things, starts to appreciate that with age, comes great knowledge and great power