2006 MORE/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search Winners

On February 27, the seventh annual MORE/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search culminated in a fabulous fashion show and party. The 10 gorgeous finalists, ranging in age from 41 to 56 and selected from more than 16,000 entries in the nationwide search, strutted the fashions of Carmen Marc Valvo down the catwalk — with a Wilhelmina modeling contract and a prize package worth more than $85,000 at stake.

While the finalists were being prepped for their runway show, guests sipped Bellinis and nibbled on veal ravioli, prosciutto, and lemon meringue custards. The backdrop of the indulgent feast: Cipriani 42nd Street, located in the historic Bowery Savings building in New York City.

Photos by Tom Kletecka

Before the runway show, the evening’s emcee Angela Bassett cozied up to fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo on the red carpet. Who does the 48-year-old Academy Award-nominated actress look to for fashion inspiration? Herself!

“I just like what I like, what I think looks good on me, what I feel powerful and beautiful in. I’m my own style icon.”

Valvo, whose designs adorned the models, paid tribute to the spirit of the evening. “I can create the dress, but the woman infuses the dress with life, body, and soul. So it’s not me finding the right dress for these women; it’s them giving the dress their own stamp and sense of style.”

2004 MORE/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search Grand Prize winner Teruko Burrell (left) and Cynthia Gouw, last year’s second runner-up, were effusive in their praise for the event — and for their 40s. “This is an amazing, fun celebration,” said Burrell. “It’s nice that it’s not Paris Hilton, it’s not Lindsay Lohan. We’re here, and we rock. Forty is sexy, it really is. Forty is the new 20.”

Gouw, glowing with enthusiasm (and, she admitted, self-tanner), called the year since she won the Wilhelmina contract “amazing. The affirmation that I feel just from being part of a whole movement of women who are over 40, it’s incredible.”

Kassie DePaiva, who plays Blair in ABC’s daytime soap opera One Life to Live, is comfortable being 45 in the entertainment industry. “It’s very difficult, in daytime or anything where you’re photographed, [to be] under the microscope, but at the same time I think beauty comes from within. If you’re happy with who you are, that’s going to show, and you don’t have to apologize for anything.”

MORE Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop joined Donna Hanover in the photographers’ spotlight. The actress, journalist, former NYC First Lady, and current WWOR radio morning show host relished the opportunity to celebrate the triumph that comes with maturity. “Forty is fabulous, 50 is fabulous, and MORE has helped women know that it’s the truth,” she declared.

More than 400 guests enjoyed this elegant celebration of 40+ beauty. Sponsors Talbots and RoC® Skin Care helped furnish cocktails, dinner and — of course — scrumptious desserts for attendees, who came decked out in their most fabulous duds. After the event, guests scored gift bags filled with goodies from product sponsors that included Garnier Nutrisse and Baume & Mercier.

The verdict? An exquisite evening for all!

Stunning in her Carmen Marc Valvo gown, Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop introduced the evening’s big stars. “Our 10 finalists truly represent today’s 40+ woman,” she explained. “They are confident, sexy, intelligent, bold, funny, and adventurous — qualities we celebrate on every page and in every issue of MORE.”

Second runner-up Steffi Jo Chapin, 42, modeled a ready-to-wear look from Carmen Marc Valvo’s spring collection. In all, each finalist worked the catwalk three separate times, sporting a daytime look, an evening ensemble like this one, and finally, a luxe couture gown by the designer. “I’m not used to walking in 4-inch heels,” Steffi Jo admitted, “so [walking down the runway] was a little difficult. But with a little practice, I know I can get it right.” As the recipient of a $5,000 modeling contract with Wilhelmina, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to perfect her technique.

On the runway, Paula O’Connor, a San Francisco-based oncologist, drew on her public speaking experience: “That’s being 40. We’ve all gotten on some stage at some point. For me it’s never been a stage like this, but I’ve given lectures, so it’s kind of like that — except you get to move, and you’re teaching about the dress.”

After being named runner-up, O’Connor, 41, pledged to enjoy the moment and not focus on her newfound modeling gig. “Tonight I just get to wear the pretty dress for 40 more minutes. I don’t have to give back any of the jewelry just yet.”

The 10 finalists included three physicians, a show horse trainer, an artist, a CEO — and two grandmothers!

Moments after her victory was announced, Patricia Neville, 50, embraced the runners-up. As the grand prize winner, Patricia was showered with prizes: a runway-ready Carmen Marc Valvo gown, a Baume & Mercier diamond watch, a vacation from Princess Cruises, and the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream with a $15,000 Wilhelmina modeling contract.

What went through her mind when her name was called? “It took a second for it to hit me. And then [I thought], don’t cry, and enjoy the moment. I did my best!”

Patricia Neville took a victory lap down the runway as her fellow finalists cheered her on. “It was the most surreal moment of my life,” the grandmother of two later proclaimed. “I’ll never forget it.”

Congratulations to Patricia and to all of the finalists for being fabulous at 40+!

Originally published on MORE.com, March 2007.