After 36 years as a nurse, Gloria Lyda Morales Rotavista She entered her pension age, but was awakened by a childhood dream that seemed impossible when she advanced to the sixth floor of her life: to be a model.
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He was not able to confess it, until more than 10 years passed for his two sons Daniel Alejandro Ruiz Morales and Guillermo Alfonso Morales to decide to be his ‘accomplices’ to start a career at the age of 68 and become in four years what they themselves call ‘The lady of fashion’.
Gloria Morales has felt safe on the catwalks thanks to the attention and dedication of her modeling agency.
Photo:Courtesy NV Models Agency.
Taking that step to get on the catwalk was a simple choice for her intimately, since fashion, designer clothes, glamor and entertainment captured her attention since her childhood after discovering ballet.
In the field of modeling it is common to see that a 30-year-old woman is replaced by a 20-year-old.
Gloria, a retired woman, single mother and very sure of what she does, decided that the important thing was not the agebut it is the living image of all those people who seek to break the stereotypes that limit the world of modeling.
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Morales Rotavista was born in Pereira and from the age of 5 he came to Valle del Cauca, but it was after turning 20 that he settled in Cali with his parents and 15 brothers.
“Due to economic circumstances, my parents had to be fair to all of us, that’s why I couldn’t be a ballet dancer or work on humanitarian missions as a doctor, which was what I wanted,” she recalls.
The model comments that when she was in school she dreamed of standing on pointe and wearing one of the dresses designed for ballet dancers, whom she saw in the playful school arts.
Although another of her plans could have been to go into the jungle to be a missionary doctor, she did not rule out the idea of working in favor of society and that is how she became a nurse in rural areas, in the public and private sectors.
Her youngest son has accompanied her in several of the events and from the United States she continues to support her mother’s modeling career.
Photo:Courtesy NV Models Agency.
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In 2005, after being pensioned for the delivery time in the NursingDaniel, her youngest son, 31, who lives in the United States, thought it was time to fulfill her dream of being a model and make it the new purpose of the family.
“She has always been self-confident, now she gets too involved in photography, something that at first was quite complex for her. Her modeling has strengthened her confidence and her aura,” says Daniel.
Since it was difficult to enter a ballet academy, modeling was not far from what Gloria wanted to fulfill her dream of being part of the show and wearing designer clothes.
“The images of the stylized bodies of the dancers, the costumes, the shapes of the dresses stayed in my mind. I went to ballet events or events that had that kind of elegance, the idea kept going around in my head, despite working as a nurse, “says Gloria.
“She was the first older adult they accepted and with whom they were going to start this new experience”
A new experience and a challenge for everyone
NV Models It is the Cali agency that in February 2018 received ‘Doña Gloria’, as they call her, to direct her to be part of the catwalk spotlight.
“My mom took the role very seriously from day one, something that makes me and those at the agency proud. She evidences everything necessary to present herself as she should be in a fashion event”, says Daniel.
“I was very restless. For the agency, she was the first older adult they accepted and with whom they were going to start this new experience, ”says Gloria.
Hugo Revelloa national designer for 15 years, had the opportunity to meet Gloria at an inclusion runway in 2019, where it was his first contact with an older model.
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After parading in front of Revhelo’s eyes, the designer comments that the charisma, the smile, the elegance of his legs in sync with his shoulders, attracted him to learn more about the experience. Thus, they have had the opportunity to continue working in two catwalks and advertising campaigns.
“I don’t know designers who work with the elderly and I think that this type of inclusion should be explored more, since it is a niche that can benefit both them and designers. They are very vain women who are still looking for professional productivity and like to dress well”, says Revhelo.
“I like to feel that I am the model that the designer needs to project their designs.”
Gloria says she’s looking to drive a chameleon stylethat adapts to all the designs that you can use and empower in your way of being.
Also, comment on how satisfying it has been to be an inspiration to all the people who fear break the difference on the catwalks.
He maintains that “one has to be committed, respectful and above all humble, not to be distinguished you have to compete, you always have to share everything. That is why I like to feel that I am the model that the designer needs to project their designs”.
The model also works on social networks on her Instagram profile: gloria_lyda
Photo:Courtesy Gloria Morales
A discipline that is not for everyone
petra lombardy She is a modeling trainer and met Gloria Lyda at the agency when she had one of her first catwalk classes, which lasted between two and three hours.
This is one of the many classes that the model has received, such as private theater, tango and corporal expression courses.
“It was my first time with a amateur and senior model, which has been a rewarding experience, since he is a person who surprises with his mental strength and his passion for what he does. In the classes, she is always ready”, highlights Lombardy.
The art of walking in heels, managing angles and posture are some of the lessons that the model has received since she began her career in the world of fashion.
“It has been a rewarding experience, since he is a person who surprises with his mental strength”
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“Gloria Lyda’s evolution in modeling has been positive, but it even wins a double award because, in addition, it has been an experience that teaches self-love,” notes Lombardy.
With the same pride, the model trainer describes that this new challenge is important both for Gloria and for all the people in the business who have met her. She points out that the best thing designers have taken away from working with her is the inspiration and motivation that her style embodies.
Gloria says that she prefers catwalks instead of photography, however her charisma has helped her connect with the medium.
Photo:Courtesy Gloria Morales
“She has great mental strength. This world is very competitive and Gloria Lyda has been able to face circumstances such as not being accepted in a casting or being rejected. It’s what she did was make her stronger and ready to hit the runway.”
Glory has modeled on catwalks in Palmira, Cartago and Cali, He has also worked on advertising campaigns for the company Claro and on a short film.
This year she hopes to travel to the United States, especially to visit her youngest son, but she is also excited to be part of some events to which two journalists have already invited her, one of those in Saint Louis, Missouri, in the United States.
“In the agency they wanted to show that age has no limit in modeling. An older adult on stage is not very common in Colombia, so at the moment it is difficult for it to be receptive in other cities than the Valley, ”confesses the model who does not hide her years. But nothing is going to stop the love that she gives him to show that happiness is just beginning and she reflects them by smiling amid applause.
Estefania Pedraza Baptist
For the time
CALI
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