A one-of-a-kind fashion show where seniors reclaim their youth and bring long-held dreams to life is coming to Los Angeles this October. The organizers are accepting audition applications from seniors who wish to walk the runway until June 15.
Jointly hosted by Hanmi Medical Group and Seoul Medical Group (SMG) and produced by ad agency AdView, the “5th Silver Fashion Show” is far more than a fashion event. It is a meaningful stage designed to let first-generation immigrant seniors fully express their lives under the spotlight.
Jin-Ho Lee, Executive Director at SMG, emphasized, “The special value of this show lies in the fact that seniors themselves take center stage. The Silver Fashion Show brings out the potential and possibilities within the senior generation.”
Launched in 2019, the show marks its fifth year in 2024. The response has been enthusiastic since the beginning, with over 600 applicants in its debut year alone. About 70 senior models will be selected for this year’s show.
Doo-Ha Hwang, CEO of AdView, noted, “We’ve already received 80 to 90 applications,” adding that inquiries are pouring in not only from Southern California, but also from other states—and even from Korea.
The Silver Fashion Show is living proof of the phrase, “Age is just a number.” Any Korean over the age of 55 is eligible to audition. According to the organizers, the average age of models who take the stage is around 67 to 68.
“Even those in their late 60s walk the runway as confidently as younger models,” Hwang said. “Some doctors have even asked if they falsified their age.” The oldest participant to date was 94 years old, appearing in the very first show. “He turned 100 this year,” Hwang added. “We’re currently in touch with him, hoping to bring him back to the stage. The Silver Fashion Show offers an opportunity for anyone, regardless of age.”
Seniors who wish to participate must send their application via email to sfsmodel2025@gmail.com by June 15, including personal information (full name in Korean and English, age, occupation, height, hobbies, special skills, and phone number) and two recent photos (one full-body, one upper-body) taken within the last three months. The list of successful first-round applicants will be announced on June 17, and the second round of auditions will take place on June 21. The judging panel will include representatives from both medical groups, a model trainer, a fashion designer, and active models.
Those selected in the second round will receive approximately four months of intensive training starting in July, including runway walking, posture correction, and style coaching under the guidance of a professional model trainer. The final runway appearance is scheduled to take place at the Korean Festival in LA this October.
BY YEONGCHAE SONG [song.yeongchae@koreadaily.com]
