Ines de la Fressange: putting the Paris back in L'Oreal

In recent years, models in their thirties and forties have been an increasingly common sight on billboards and catwalks. But at 53, Ines de la Fressange stands out even among this older bunch. The former Chanel model, who began her career in 1975, is joining L'Oreal's as the company's new "Paris Ambassadress".

An icon in her native France, de la Fressange has been a muse for both Karl Lagerfeld and Thierry Mugler, and in 1989 her likeness was used for a bust of Marianne, a French national symbol. More recently, she has turned her hand to design, creating her own label and helping to relaunch French footwear brand Roger Vivier.

As a spokesmodel for L'Oreal, she joins a diverse, but highly selective, group which includes Milla Jovovich, Beyonce Knowles, Diane Keaton and Eva Longoria.

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Boundless beauties

Ines de la Fressange, 53, on the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2009.

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Last year the ultimate Parisienne wrote a short book about how to embody French style; L'Oreal's Global Brand President, Cyril Chapuy says that he is "delighted that she is bringing that irresistible 'je ne sais quoi' to the brand." No wonder: last year de la Fressange insisted that her return to the Chanel catwalk was a one-off. "This is not my job anymore," she told reporters.

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