One of our favorite Aging Boldly icons, Linda Rodin—stylist, model, beauty innovator, and Instagram star with almost 250,000 followers—has launched a new venture. It’s a passion project, she says, and exactly the right kind of risk to take at age 70. Her beloved gray poodle, Winks (who also stars on her Instagram feed @lindaandwinks), can take some of the credit.
I was a stylist for 40 years, so this is my segue from beauty to the beast.
Her just-launched business, Linda and Winks Love, offers a collection of chic, high-quality, and high-end dog accessories for canine-lovers with discriminating taste. “I was a stylist for 40 years, so this is my segue from beauty to the beast. I’ve been lucky to get a lot of recognition for being stylish, so I thought I would put my street cred to work and do something I’m passionate about that combines my love for animals and fashion sense.”
Linda Rodin Street Style for Pets: It Just Makes Sense
Winks (left) with Linda and his pal Mina sporting the new collection. Image: Linda Rodin/Instagram
Linda, who spoke about her new business at our Out Loud event in New York City, has always believed that pets should share in their owner’s aesthetic. “I say, If I wouldn’t wear it, Winky wouldn’t. So I’m starting with leashes and collars. But Winky eats out of a beautiful vintage bowl I have, sleeps in a great bed, too, so those are products you’ll see in the future…and some wonderful organic biscuits, shampoo, toys and more.”
She’s communicating her love for animals and her values throughout the business. The collar and leash sets that are currently available are leather-free, made in the USA, and often sport prewashed, domestically-sourced cotton denim (one of Linda’s favorite fabrics) on one side. Ten percent of all proceeds will go to the Humane Society of New York, which cares for animals in need and prevents abuse.
After becoming a successful “accidental beauty entrepreneur” at age 60, starting a new business at age 70 doesn’t faze her. “Yes, it’s hard, but age has nothing to do with it! If you have a passion, follow it—chances are, others will like what you’re doing, too.”
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