Trendy TV Report: HBO’s “About Face” Reunites a Coterie of Models from the Heydays

Supermodel used to be a term reserved for the collection of beauties that surpassed all human understanding and therefore were automatically categorized as being SUPER.

Nowadays the title has accumulated quite a bit of mileage and no longer has the same exclusivity that it once embodied.

That’s what makes the new documentary from HBO, About Face: Supermodels Then and Now so enticingly relevant considering the impressive roundup of faces that have re-surfaced. These gals have paid their dues in an industry that doesn’t make allowances for the normal progression of things especially aging. But aside from the obvious physical prowess, there seems to be another greater element that has sustained these now mature but still gorgeous women, and that is what filmmaker and portrait photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders has brilliantly captured on film.

It’s also re-assuring to know that most of the subjects are not allowing their advanced age to interfere with their illustrious career. Carmen Dell’Orefice, who started modeling in the 40’s, recalls how nonchalant the climate was back then towards the profession. Today at 81, she is still striking a pose without skipping a beat.

Other notables include the posse from the 70’ and 80’s who helped shape the scope of the fashion industry by providing boundless inspiration to designers, rockers, and even ad execs. From Kim Alexis to Beverly Johnson, who became somewhat of an icon after scoring the cover of American Vogue back in 1974 which made her the first black model ever to do so.

” About Face” gives the viewers an insightful and gratifying look into the most often veiled and sometimes turbulent world of the beautiful and privileged while also tackling topics that any of us can identify with regardless of how we register on the “beauty” scale.

Greenfield-Sanders apparently decided to push this project through after attending a themed party celebrating supermodels from the 70’ and 80’s. That’s an image that would inspire any hot blooded male! As he scanned the room it became quite evident what his next project was going to be.

The finished product will hopefully be a good way to develop a new found appreciation for the past ingénues who seem to be holding up pretty well, proving why they are worthy of that endearing title.

Catch About Face: Supermodels Then and Now on HBO.