Former model Marion Finlayson, an 80 year-old Scottish grandmother, has been snapped up by top Glasgow modelling agency Colours, after catching the eye of scouts when she graced the catwalk after a 60-year break.
Marion Finlayson made her modelling debut back in the 1940s, and decided to tread the runway once again at a charity event in her hometown Aberdeen as a way of distracting herself from her husband Bruce’s death.
Marion Finlayson, who is grandmother to Antonia, 13, and Andrew, 11, said: “It’s all go at the moment. I’ve never been busier since appearing on the catwalk last year.
‘I actually got offers from two modelling agencies hundreds of miles away in Glasgow.
“It’s great fun and I’m just happy to still do something I enjoy. I’m turning 81 next month so I think I’m doing alright.”
Marion Finlayson made her catwalk comeback at Aberdeen City Council’s 50 Plus Festival in August, a staggering 60 years after her fashion debut.
Back in the 1940s she gave up her modelling commitments to become a teacher, but decided to take part in the fashion show in Aberdeen as a distraction from the death of husband Bruce Finlayson, to whom she was married for 54 years.
Marion Finlayson, who worked at the Albyn School in Aberdeen for years and went on to work with special needs children, said: “My husband, Bruce, died a year and a half ago after 54 years of marriage, a very good marriage, and I found it very difficult to overcome it.”
“But doing this catwalk has really helped. I’ve got to meet lots of new, younger people, which I think is good for me.
“I even had a muscle personal trainer in tartan to walk me down the catwalk.”
Marion Finlayson says she likes to keep active, and regularly attends yoga and Pilates classes.
“I do yoga, Pilates and tums and bums classes every week,” she says.
“My grandchildren are a handful as well, they’re always running about.
“The modelling was something different and I would definitely do it again. If anyone asks me I will have a go – it’s better than doing the ironing.
“I’ve been interested in fashion all my life and I’d be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a shopaholic.”
Marion Finlayson recently wowed millions of viewers as she appeared on ITV’s This Morning show with Eamonn Holmes.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it. They phoned up and just said <<we’d love you to come on the programme, would you like to do it?>>.”
Marion Finlayson joked about other people her age: “They’re often talking about their pills and their blood pressure, but I don’t have any of that yet, I’m as well as I’ve ever been.
“I’m really happy with what I’m doing and I hope to carry on for a long time.”
Rosalynd Ramage, who runs Colours Modelling Agency, said: “The world is Marion’s oyster.
“Women don’t stop being interested in fashion or beauty when they reach a certain age, so it’s only fitting that older models are being used to promote products to them.”
