Jacky O’Shaughnessy is an exceptionally talented ‘American Apparel’ 62 years old model. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: American Apparel’s creative director Marsha Brady spotted you in an NYC restaurant. You were 60+ then, this started your amazing career in modelling. You were featured in as the face of their “advanced basics” line of American Apparel’s which propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world of modeling. Tell us something about this journey?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: I had just moved back to New York after being in Los Angeles for 22 years. It was 11:00 p.m., winter, and I sat having a cigarette outside my friends’ apartment in Greenwich Village where I was staying while I looked for a place. Cigarettes make me sleepy. A woman came up to me and said, “You look so regal sitting there smoking that cigarette.” I said, “Well, I don’t think many people these days would agree with you.” She replied, “Doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful,” and walked away. I said, “Thank you,” and then thought, wow, isn’t that sweet.
Two weeks later, I walked into a restaurant and this same woman was there. We recognized each other and decided to have dinner together. I had no idea she was the creative director for American Apparel. We talked for a long time about many things and exchanged contact information. Marsha then called me about two weeks later and asked me to do some photos.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: American Apparel has an image of you being dressed in a lace underwear posted on its Facebook and Instagram pages accompanied with the tagline: “sexy has no expiration date.” Many praised this as ‘an example of beauty and strength for women of all ages’, while a spokeswoman for campaigning group Models of Diversity applauds heartily: ‘I think it’s fantastic. Well done! I just wish more would follow suit.’ Elaborate on the ethos and your belief that goes in this thought provoking tagline?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: I believe more should and will follow suit.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are now a leading media personality, model, actress and a brand ambassador. How you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: The key is to do what you enjoy.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: I fit exercise into my day with stairs and walking. Also, incorporating 20 minutes of Pilates and 5-pound weights for the arms. Stretching is very important.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: I follow what’s known as The Blood Type Diet by Peter D’Adamo. For my particular blood type (type O), getting off wheat and dairy has made a huge difference. I don’t believe in “strict,” per se, or depriving yourself. But eating foods that serve your body rather than taxing your body on a regular basis goes a long way. And you do have to watch portions. Apples are great but you can’t eat a barrel of them. That being said, I do, on occasion, have desert and enjoy it tremendously.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing smooth skin and gorgeous long grey hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Jacky O’Shaughnessy: I’ve been a “ health nut” since the mid-1970’s. And I’ve been drinking purified water since that time as well. Eat right, meditate, and laugh as much as you can.
As to hair, I wash with a bluing shampoo for the grey and have a strong filtering system on my shower so my hair doesn’t absorb elements in the water such as chlorine that dry the hair and can cause the hair to absorb chemicals.
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