How I became an accidental fashion icon at 64 | Lyn Slater | TEDxMidAtlantic

It's not often a grandmother and university professor becomes an icon of style with a growing online Instagram and blog following of all ages. But that's exactly what Lyn Slater did, because she was, "having trouble finding a fashion blog or magazine that offered an urban, modern, intellectual aesthetic but also spoke to women who live what I call 'interesting but ordinary lives' in cities." And Lyn has a message to everyone who thinks they want fame and to be special: the real secret is to just be okay being you. Lyn Slater is a professor of social work, a cultural influencer, a model, a writer, partner, mother and grandmother.
She started her blog, Accidental Icon, in September 2014 because she could not find a fashion blog or magazine that offered an urban, modern, intellectual aesthetic and also spoke to people who live “interesting but ordinary lives” in cities.
People (like Lyn) who are not famous or celebrities but are smart, creative, thoughtful, engaged, socially responsible and most importantly clear and comfortable with who they are and reflect this in how they dress. At the age when many people retire, Lyn Slater has reinvented herself as an influencer of popular culture, fashion model, and global icon. Lyn’s rejection of age as a variable to be considered in how one dresses has resonated and her blog has fans from around the world. Her Instagram has over 250,000 followers, most of whom are young. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@MrDarren690]

Her main takeaway is to be your ordinary, real, authentic self. Other hints include opening your mind and heart to new people and new experiences, transforming your mistakes into learning experiences, and laughing at yourself a little. But what she's not saying is that, you need to show up somewhere. You need a "spot" to sit and stand walk around in. I wish she told us more about how she built her spot. Regardless, what a wonderful personality! Her soul is timeless.

[@winterlongmire501]

Thank you for keeping women over 60 relevant and inspiring us fabulous 'old broads'!

[@islandgirl8914]

My mom turns 70 next week and she is my fashion icon! She dresses me!!

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

Lyn is the whole package, intelligence and beauty! She makes this 60 year old know that she can reinvent herself, create and grow!

[@Drezzedtokill]

Nancy Offenhiser yaaaaaaasss

[@ritu-6297]

I love this woman. I aspire to be this confident and elegant .

[@dalehoward8352]

Me too!

[@nancycentro3097]

My idol in fashion!

[@sherryhicks4156]

Loved this talk. My life really began at 70!

[@SuperPina]

You are my inspiration. I am a fashion and beauty blogger and a lawyer and just like you, people have a hard time wrapping their minds around it. Authenticity is the most important thing and it's not about having millions of followers, it's about inspiring others by simply being you. xoxo

[@KSparks80]

You say "authenticity is the most important thing". Yet your photos are as authentic as a 3 dollar bill. Hhhmmm.

[@jessegabriel364]

Yeah you right. Am a fashion designer and a fashion instructor from African Nigeria. I will love to work with you if possible

[@daniellem.gibson4658]

I want to be like her when I am in my 60s! She is really fun and creative; an inspiration 😍

[@ew2645]

Danielle M. Gibson when you get a chance, check out Linda Rodin. She is also fabulous

[@daniellem.gibson4658]

@@ew2645 Thank you!

[@Lexicakes89]

Why wait?

[@aurorav.7209]

Everysince I saw Lyn Slater on KZbin, she became an inspiration to me and I'm sure to older women who want to be in style without getting criticized. I love her style. I love to dress up and wear high heels all the time because I'm very short and one person commented behind my back that " She shouldn't be wearing high heels at her age.* I was taken aback, so I said I didn't know there's an age limit to what people want to wear. That's why I'm happy to find out that it's ok for older people to dress in style you feel good in. And you are an inspiration to me. Thank you.

[@dezerismith7529]

Her hair is gorgeous

[@geewiz8253]

Thank you. I was felling a bit down and it helped to hear that. Sometimes we forget we are pretty cool.

[@desireepeters7520]

I am 47years old and I just love fashion ever since I was young this lady really makes me feel like I could look good when I am older pretty cool go Lyn Slayer!!😎👠👜👢👚🛍️👍

[@wormemc]

This deserves being much longer!

[@strongerpink3376]

I agree

[@Anna-ky7ix]

Thank you for being so inspiring! I love your visibility in a world that has been hiding & disregarding the beauty of us aging women !

[@markodejanovic1635]

I love you Lyn, you are the best. You are my inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Much love from Serbia❤

[@Ninof33]

Omg! Just was thinking what would help me to come out my miserable situation that happens over and over. I haven’t yet expressed my true self and I’m 43. I have unique style, love redesigning vintage, I’m inspired by early 1900’s. Not too many people know about it. Maybe if I’ll be who I truly am I’ll stop being in the same miserable place. Thank you. ❤️

[@johnhollandjr.2632]

Ninof33... I send you and Lola M an abundance of love and positive energy. Check out the book, “The Artist Way.”

[@kevinbennett7329]

WE ADORE YOU LYN SLATER! - Hugs & Kisses

[@soniapizzi8930]

She is fabulous!

[@lauraflores1482]

I love that this is about fashion and how to be a good teacher.

[@rosdepedro9108]

simply amazing❤️

[@socorrokennedy7218]

i love her i am like her i am a grandmother and i love to dress like her . when i found her was WOW what a beautiful lady .. i love you. you made me feel grate!! god bless you. keep doing that you look beautiful !!

[@whiskersBOOSTER2]

What a fantastic talk...she’s amazing!

[@CatherineSews]

This was great for me to see. I've always loved and been involved in fashion, but as I'm in my late 50s, it's great to see such an elegant example of a woman over 60 being relevant, fashionable and inspiring. Thank you, Lyn!

[@getagava2912]

Amazing Lyn !!!

[@susangannon2493]

Fractured Fairy Tales were my FAVORITES! Lyn, you are an amazing example of a woman who owns!

[@debwright3190]

😲😲Finally! Getting to see more senior women in action, thank you.👏🏼👏🏼

[@kandyquevedo4348]

She is amazing!💜

[@marisa9968]

Absolutely amazing, intelligent, and elegant!

[@kevinbennett7329]

my god. I adore you Lyn.

[@jcnashjcnashpr2011]

I just love her! Amazing!

[@Drezzedtokill]

That’s AWESOME !!!!!

[@architecture.w]

She reminds me of my mother-in-law.

[@wandali100]

my girl. love her

[@darinl9405]

At the end of the day, you realize that you have nothing left but to be what you are, and no one needs to tell you that.

[@NataliaSeptember.]

I want to cry!! but these are happy tears:)) thank you so much for this talk!

[@leticiamorales5984]

Bravo!!!

[@strongerpink3376]

She is awesome stylish avant-garde! Her age is nothing I plan being her at her age ! It’s my passion to always to be stylish at any age.

[@thearistocratgrows8651]

An ankle length trench coat is always awesome

[@noiretbeau]

Ok, I like the talk. Now where can I get that outfit...mmmm?

[@mithriwali5996]

[@dortyaprakliyonca5854]

💜

[@yinafrentz]

Superpower: the very famous people are just ordinary themselves without data.

[@yolarola6261]

WOW!!!

[@CarenWilson]

Just do you. I love that

[@janaesimmons4672]

You are super cool. Many of us have Cinderella stories. I had a big gap between my front teeth/prayed it away. God is Great.

[@jitkavalkova7951]

Lol .. ok ...

[@getagava2912]

I'm happy to be me .

[@tertommy]

TEDx < TED

[@carmencosmina_3254]

Robert tirnaveanu 2021

[@heathergustafson4237]

Are you related to Ann Slater?

[@dr.kenpetty5167]

She's only 64? I would have swore she was in her 80s.

[@brianskinner3440]

I hate that commercial

[@positivityplace]

I saw her commercial and wanted to know more about this lady who was modeling and I said that is great for an older lady in her eighties or nineties to model and feel young but she is 66 and I have to say that she needs to take better care of herself...,66 is not so you can look like 90...

[@maddscientist3170]

LMAO

[@sharoncox8612]

Andy Warhol much...

[@barbilove1698]

Looks older...

[@architecture.w]

Blondes age like milk.

[@lmcdonald1879]

me me me me me..passed her in vegas..what am I missing..never saw so many eyes rolls and turn avoids , as she swept past in my buying life..sorry Lyn..not everyones into you...mabey some humility..lots of us find that attractive.....

[@camillehill8795]

This woman is way older than 64 . She is looks OK, but is rather haughty and silly.