WONDER WOMAN
Debbie Richards is not only a happy fixture around Spring Hill in Mobile, she’s a fashion icon and role model, too. At 70 years young, she’s a family first kind of gal with an interesting past in the fashion world where she learned just as much about being true to herself as she did about style. On any given day you might see her and her glorious grey locks cruising around on her bicycle in a t-shirt and jeans or out at an event in multi-pattern ensemble that just works. However, beyond the looks, you’ll always notice her big smile first. Wondering about her positive outlook, especially as it pertains to age, she’s an open book that we can’t get enough of.
By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Felisha Allen, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427
Born and raised in Mobile, Debbie is a known permanent fixture in her beloved hometown. Married to David for 46 years, the couple has five adult children and fifteen grandchildren ranging in ages from 6 months to 16 years old. In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Debbie has been a model, a vendor for mega-beauty brand, Loreal USA, and a retail associate for several local fashion boutiques. Debbie currently enjoys part-time positions at Rise Boutique in Spring Hill Village Shopping Center, which she describes as, “super cool”, as well as downtown Mobile’s fine art studio, Sophiella Gallery.
As for her introduction to fashion? “It began early as my mom made all my clothes. I loved shopping for fabrics and then telling her how I wanted it designed. At 12 years old, I got my first sewing machine and made her a dress that she actually wore! In 1968, I began modeling for Gayfer’s Teen Board. Interestingly, Gayfer's was a regional department store chain based in Mobile from 1879 until 1998 when it was taken over by Dillard's. It was a great way to not only engage in the fashion world, but many friendships and great memories were made along the way, too. I also modeled in college and then stopped to get married and start a family. I thought I couldn’t do both, but after my third child, I decided to go for it and have been doing it ever since,” she fondly recalls.
Asking for a top memory, Debbie shares, “At the age of 40, I was one of five finalists from across the country for a Ladies Home Journal and Dove Soap contest. I won a trip to New York City and a write up in a magazine. I even made the table of contents! Another exciting day was a fashion photoshoot on a boat I did for Raphael’s Women’s clothing store when I was pregnant with my fifth child. Determined to make my own luck, I walked into the store in my homemade outfit I had designed and told them that I wanted to do print work for them! From there, they sent me straight to the Barney and Patrick advertising agency and the rest was history!” she beams.
Having her foot in the fashion pool for most of her life, she’s developed a solid and admirable philosophy, especially considering the youth-obsessed industry. “When it comes to aging, I prefer to age naturally and I believe our smile is our best accessory. I also approach aging with a ‘what you see is what you get’ attitude and simply try to be thankful for each day. I preach that we all should embrace our age, and enjoy it as everyone will be old one day— if they are lucky,” Debbie adds.
As for her influencers? “My style icon has always been Audrey Hepburn. She was simply a classic in both her fashion and humanitarian efforts. More recently, Maye Musk is helping all of us senior fashionistas, too. A model, influencer, and dietitian, she has been a model for 50 years, appearing on the covers of magazines, including Time, Women's Day, international editions of Vogue, and Sports Illustrated. In my mind, every day is a fashion show! My go-to favorite looks include jeans, graphic t-shirts, black turtlenecks, blazers, and gold hoop earrings,” Debbie shares.
Defining her as a micro-influencer due to her honed ability to help women find looks they love and that work best for them, Debbie adds, “My biggest asset is that I love to talk! I’ll engage anyone and my favorite challenge is when someone says, ‘I can’t wear that.’ Yes you probably can, we just style it differently! I’m inspired by a range of quotes like the one hanging over my dresser, ‘If you like it, wear it’, and Coco Chanel’s, ‘You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty and irresistible for the rest of your life,’ and ‘Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself’—all true!”
Curious as to why she’s so happy, she shares, “I’ve happily lived on The Cedars Avenue in Spring Hill for 44 years. I’ve raised my family here and now my grands come by every day after school to visit and I get to watch them participate in all their extracurricular activities. I also have a personal nonprofit, ‘Happy Flowers’, where I repurpose event flowers by taking them to places like nursing homes. This brings me so much joy! Plus, I have amazing part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities that allow me to still be a fashionista at 70 years old. I have made so many special friendships over the years that I am so thankful for, including my friends at Access!”
Firm in her belief that younger Debbie is pretty much the same as older Debbie, she has no regrets. As for what’s next? “I will continue to put my family first. But, when I was younger, the first car I purchased was a yellow Volkswagen Beetle and now finding an older model convertible option is on my bucket list. If anyone sees one for sale, let me know!” she exclaims.
