Carmen Dell’Orefice is an American model and actress, known in the fashion industry as being the world’s oldest working model as of the Spring/Summer season of 2012, at age 81. She began her career right after WWII, at the age of 15, when she was featured in the October issue of Vogue. Her godfather introduced her to Vogue, and she signed a contract to work as a model for $7.50 an hour.
Carmen had a rough upbringing, with her parents consistently breaking up and reconciling. This made for a rough financial situation, as well; even with Carmen’s modeling career and income.
Vogue would send runners to her apartment to inform her of new modeling jobs, and she would even rollerskate to her assignments to save money on bus fare.
She was so malnourished, that the photographers would have to pin back dresses and fill the curves with tissues. Both Carmen and her mother supplemented their income by sewing.
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