Campaign for Real Beauty Uncovers the Beauty of Women over 50
Are you anti-age or pro-age(TM)? According
to a recent Dove global study, nearly all women over 50 want to see a change in
society’s view on women and aging. In addition, the majority of women believe
that if media were reflective of the population, a person would likely believe
women over 50 do not exist.
For the first time, a brand is talking to
women about aging in appositive tone. Continuing its ongoing commitment to
widen the narrow definition of beauty, Dove, the global beauty brand, is boldly
challenging the “only young- is-beautiful” stereotype with the next phase of
the Campaign for Real Beauty: pro-age. Designed to expose what our anti-aging society
has been hiding, pro-age celebrates women 50+ by showing their honest, real
beauty.
The initiative is being brought to life
through a global communications campaign created with internationally renowned
photographer, Annie Leibovitz, an over-50-year-old woman herself. The campaign
features images of real women, literally uncovering all of their age spots,
grey hair pieces and
curves, demonstrating that women are genuinely stunning — at any age.
“Dove seeks to create an attitudinal
change in the anti-aging category — from negative and fear-driven to
affirmative and hope-driven,” says Kathy O’Brien, Dove Marketing Director.
“Pro-age is about looking great for your age.”
It includes a first-of-its kind pro-age
product collection — not anti-age but pro-age — specially created to meet the
unique skin and hair changes women experience as they age. Designed with women
over 50-years-old in mind, the vibrant packaging features a larger font size
and highlights the active ingredients to help maturing skin and hair extensions look
their best.
“I never thought about the implications of
anti-aging until the suggestion of the pro-age line,” says Athena Uslander, a
51-year-old specialty bakery owner who is featured in the campaign. “Now I
think anti-age means that you are constantly fighting this natural phenomenon
of aging, whereas pro-age is a much more subtle way of dealing with the same
process – making your body work with aging in the best way possible.”
The impetus for this campaign came from
the realization that women over 50 are under-represented in society. It is far
too common for 20- and 30-year- old women to be represented in media,
advertising and entertainment, while women 40- and 50-plus are virtually
ignored.
“Women over 50 are doing things today that
previous generations never thought possible,” says Dr. Nancy Etcoff, Harvard
University. “They are mothers of young children, CEOs of major companies, and
students going back to school for advanced degrees. It is time for society to
catch up with this new generation.”
Contrary to societal standards, this new
breed of financially independent and socially active women shares the Dove
pro-age philosophy that beauty has no age limit.
According to the recent Dove global study,
“Beauty Comes of Age”:
- 87 percent believe they are too young to
be old.
- 92 percent believe past generations of
women over 50 were not doing the things women over 50 are doing today.
- 91 percent of the women surveyed believe
the media and advertising need to do a better job of representing realistic
images of women over 50.
- 97 percent believe society is less
accepting of appearance considerations for women over 50 than their younger
counterparts, with showcasing one’s body the least acceptable.
“Unfortunately, despite an increase in the
population of the older demographic, age-related stereotypes are still very
much alive in today’s society,” notes Dr. Robert Butler, founder of the
International Longevity Center and a collaborator on the global study. “Our
report showed that the lives of today’s older women do not reflect how society
views them.”