A sexy Brit branded “inappropriate” for refusing to cover up as an older woman has welcomed her first grandchild – but says being a granny won’t change her style.
Fiona Lambert knows more than most about clothes, having spent over three decades working at the top in Britain’s fashion industry.
The 63-year-old, who is based in Leicester, is constantly told to “dress her age” but refuses to trade in her corsets for cardigans.
Now, as a new grandmother who just welcomed a baby grandson, many might expect her to tone things down, but Fiona has no such plans.
“As I get older I worry less about what others think,” she told Need To Know.
“I have had a lot of comments on previous posts about dressing my age, covering up and being an ‘inappropriate grandma’.
“I’m ignoring the critics who say I am too old to be doing what I am doing, dressing how I dress, or being confident.
“I feel it’s sad that the comments that are fired at me as insults use the term ‘granny’ it’s a sad attempt to keep women smaller.
“I do feel a responsibility to other women as they age, for my daughter and my grandson, to show up and not being invisible.
“I’m not sure I will be turning up at the nursery in high heels and a cocktail dress, but it’s something that is my personal style.”
Fiona’s daughter, Georgia, 33, gave birth to a son in July this year.
The grandmother hopes to teach her grandson that women deserve respect regardless of their age or appearance.
Fiona said: “I want to teach him respect for women whatever their age and not to judge a book by its cover.
“You’re your energy, not your age.
“I hope he doesn’t make comments about my dress sense when he’s older.
“Some of those ageist views are taught and it’s peoples own issues that come out when they’re commenting.
“If he’s brought up happy, healthy and respectful then he should respect what makes people happy.
“He has a lot of strong women around him.”
Fiona, who also has a son called Charlie, 30, added: “Charlie is a kind and thoughtful young man.
“I’m proud of the way he respects women.
“He sees my mum a lot and was brought up with strong, independent women so has complete respect for that.”
Fiona, a fitness fanatic, spends most of the week working on her body.
She said: “I work out twice per week at a gym doing resistance training and three to four HIIT sessions at home for 20-30 mins with dumbbells or bodyweight.
“As you age, maintaining muscle mass with resistance training is key.
“[It] keeps you strong, increases metabolic rate and improves bone density.
“My aim is to be under 20% body fat, [I am] currently [at] 23%.”
“I eat a high protein diet to maintain muscle mass with 100g goal per day.
“[Otherwise], low carb, minimum amount of sugar and I cook everything from scratch.”
The gran-to-be also takes supplements like Omega 3, collagen, hyaluronic acid and glucosamine, to look after her joints as arthritis runs in her family.
She first made her name in the 90s, helping George Davies to launch George at Asda – the first supermarket fashion brand.
She later became the brand’s director, before holding senior positions at household names including Next, River Island and Dunelm.
Her career culminated in a managing director role for Jaeger as it moved into Marks & Spencer.
Fiona says she will not let age dictate her fashion decisions.
Speaking of her milestone birthday, she said: “The thought of turning 60 sounded old, so I wanted to rebel against that and make it a beginning – not an end to living my best life.
“I pushed harder.
“I increased my resistance training and did more HIIT.
“I wanted to get into my best shape physically and mentally to prove age is no barrier.”
Fiona climbed Kilimanjaro at 60, and quickly threw herself into more and more gruelling challenges.
She danced the cha-cha-cha for the cancer charity Teens Unite and hiked waterfalls in Iceland.
Next on her list is Machu Picchu, which she is due to climb in October.
She said: “The most rewarding part of staying fit is saying yes to adventures.
“I feel I am capable of taking on most things.
“I love a life of travel, hiking and dancing, and I am about to become a grandmother.”
Rather than chasing a particular number on the scales, Fiona said her focus has shifted towards remaining powerful and mobile as she gets older.
She said: “My goal today is strong, not skinny, as that will help me age well.
“I think the goal when you’re younger is often different – a number on the scales versus working on your strength.
“I believe in the saying, ‘Strong body, strong mind.’
Fiona’s celebration of old age comes from her mum, who still walks and swims in her 80s.
She added: ““I think they [people] are seeing a different side to ageing.
“I keep saying it’s never too late and you are never too old.”
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