Style Has No Age Limit: AARP Illinois Celebrates AviDior Fashion Show

AARP Illinois was thrilled to be on the scene at the AviDior Fashion Show, where residents of Avidor Glenview stepped into the spotlight and proved that great style, confidence and creativity only get better with age.

Held in conjunction with Chicago Fashion Week and featuring residents alongside Style Society Club, the show brought together women in their 70s, 80s and 90s for a joyful celebration of fashion and self-expression.

Monika Wnuk

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The Inspiration Behind the Show

At the heart of the AviDior Fashion Show was resident Nelva Bopp, whose lifelong love of fashion helped inspire the event. After four years at Avidor, Bopp has earned a reputation for always looking runway ready.

Monika Wnuk

Her message to others is wonderfully simple:

“I hope they smile and love it. I hope that people don’t think because you’re 90, 80, 70, that you have to wear just jeans and a T-shirt. Enjoy.”

Monika Wnuk

That philosophy helped shape an event built around residents and their personalities. Avidor Glenview Community Manager Adrian Aquino said the idea began with Bopp's love of fashion and grew as residents, many of whom were first-time models, were recruited to participate

Making Up for Lost Time

Another standout was Kathy Foley, whose journey to the runway came after an especially challenging chapter in her life. Foley's husband died 15 months earlier, and after moving back to the Chicago area from Arizona, she broke her back, requiring painful rehabilitation and months in a wheelchair.

Yet her focus is firmly on what's ahead.

“Two weeks ago I was doing karaoke. I'm going to make up for lost time,” Foley said. “All I can say is I just want to keep pushing what I do.”

And on the AviDior runway, she did exactly that.

Monika Wnuk

Her appearance was about more than what she wore. It was about resilience, possibility and embracing the experiences that bring joy at every stage of life.

Stepping Into the Spotlight

For 84-year-old Arlene Gitles, the experience came with a few firsts, including wearing false eyelashes and modeling before hundreds of people. Her attitude going into it summed up the spirit of the day perfectly:“At this point in my life, why not?”

Wearing a colorful floral top and crisp white pants, Gitles made her way down the red carpet, blowing kisses to the crowd along the way.

Monika Wnuk

Her moment was a reminder of something AARP Illinois believes deeply: growing older shouldn't mean stepping out of the spotlight.

Age Is Something to Celebrate

The AviDior Fashion Show offered plenty of fabulous looks, applause and memorable runway moments. But its larger message went beyond fashion.

It showed what can happen when older adults are encouraged to keep trying new things, expressing themselves and showing the world exactly who they are.

For AARP Illinois, celebrating the show is part of a bigger story about aging: one where getting older doesn't mean fading into the background. It can mean taking center stage.

Style doesn't come with an expiration date. Neither does confidence. And you're never too old for your moment on the runway.