Estelle Lefébure, the iconic French supermodel, recently made waves with her appearance on the popular French talk show C à Vous, where she opened up about aging and her new book, Welcome: Accueillir le temps qui passe. On January 23, 2025, the 58-year-old model addressed the societal pressures around beauty and aging, encouraging listeners to embrace the passage of time.
During her promotion of the book, which was published just one day prior, Lefébure tackled the harsh realities of how the beauty industry often imposes unattainable standards on women. She criticized the notion often couched as compliments—telling someone they 'don’t look their age.' “That means at some point, I should look like this or like this,” she said, emphasizing the absurdity of such expectations. “Not looking your age means nothing,” she added, reflecting on how such remarks perpetuate unrealistic ideals.
Lefébure's modeling career, which includes prestigious shows alongside supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, has seen its fair share of standards placed on youth and beauty. Now, she is using her platform to advocate for a more realistic and positive approach to getting older. “We can’t fight against time,” she stated powerfully, expressing her personal battle with accepting her gray hair. “I can’t quite manage it,” she confessed, illustrating the conflicting emotions many face when confronted with aging.
Widely regarded as the 'Normandy Girl' during her peak, Lefébure reminisced about her early days when she was celebrated for her natural beauty and unique curves, quite different from the leaner models of the time. She reflected on her initial experiences—like the iconic beach photoshoots she undertook starting in 1988—and her pride at being one of the few French names recognized globally among the elite ranks of modeling.
“I was exposed to photography, often considered the quintessential summer girl,” she explained, reminiscing about her time as the face of Sports Illustrated, which she described as the goal for any model. “That was incredible,” she remarked, recalling auditions held by the rigorous Jule Campbell. “The pictures were sexy but also beautifully artistic.”
Her career milestones include unforgettable memories like being part of the campaign for Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler, where she recalls how authentic beauty was celebrated without the aid of modern retouching techniques. “We had to take care of ourselves, as we could not afford errors; there was no morphing or photoshop technology back then,” she noted, highlighting the differences between her time and today’s industry standards.
Lefébure also shared her experience working with George Michael on the music video for 'Too Funky,' directed by Mugler. “That shoot was wild, going on for 24 hours straight,” she reflected. Despite the chaos, Estelle described the process as exhilarating, noting Michael’s genuine effort to make the models feel valued and included.
She proudly discussed her role as the bridal representation for major fashion houses. “I was often the bride for Dior and Thierry Mugler,” she said. “Those moments were important, closing the shows and being the last focal point of the collection.” She reminisced fondly about the days when individuality was celebrated on and off the runways, noting how she finds today’s standards lean more toward uniformity.
Estelle recounted how she embraced pregnancy during modeling, telling of her moment on the Jean Paul Gaultier runway. “I was proud to showcase my pregnant belly; it felt powerful,” she said, sharing the joy of being comfortable with her body and her pregnancy, even as she rocked atypical runway looks.
During her C à Vous appearance, Lefébure not only shared her insights on aging but also engaged with host Anne-Élisabeth Lemoine and other male guests, speaking humorously about relationships and gender roles. When asked about what she finds sexy, she expressed, “It’s a mix of everything. A virile man can be appealing, but at times, sensitivity is equally attractive.” She articulated the complexity of modern dating, where women often seek both strength and tenderness. “It’s complicated!” she joked, recognizing the challenge women face when communicating their desires.
Estelle Lefébure's stance on aging and beauty reflects her commitment to celebrating life’s transitions rather than resisting them. Her current narrative pushes against the status quo of the beauty industry, and with her book, she aims to inspire others to welcome, rather than dread, the passage of time. She embodies confidence, saying, “Aging can be beautiful if we let it be.” Her comments on the show illuminated her own stage of life—a place where acceptance and authenticity take front and center.
With her insights capturing the hearts of many, Estelle Lefébure stands out not only as one of the original supermodels but now as a voice advocating for change within the beauty narrative. You can catch her thoughts on aging and self-acceptance through her latest writings and media appearances, inspiring generations to redefine their relationship with aging.