The fashion industry is like an always moving machine, finding new trends to match today’s young people’s energy while trying to stay ahead of the next big thing. How does that phrase go, one day you are in, and the next day you are out? However, that should not have to apply to the women 40 years old and over; there are so much beauty and style left in these women, and tragically, most times, it can go unnoticed. To name a few gorgeous women, drum roll please, Jennifer Lopez, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Regina King, Viola Davis, LisaRaye McCoy, and Tania Richardson! These women ages range from 40-55, and they still grace the world with their style and beauty. We can go on for days about beautiful women in this specific age group, so why is it such a big deal that this age group seem to be forgotten?
Tania Richardson interviews with FEMI Magazine sharing her thoughts, Brand, and need for inspiration and empowerment for the 40 and over club and what she does to help these women feel loved and fabulous. As a black woman, mother, entrepreneur, commercial actress, Desert Storm Army Veteran, and an avid traveler, Tania knows the importance of staying fabulous before stepping outside of the house or barracks. From being seen on the Real House Wives of Atlanta, to dating former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kordell Stewart, Tania always made sure that she was stylish and beautiful. However, when she started to notice a decrease in her age group’s beauty trends, it was time to create something of her own, welcoming her movement Hey Lady!
Tania, when did you first realize that the beauty market was starting to forget about women in their 40s and 50s?
Several years ago, I noticed that the beauty market was starting to forget about women in their 40s and 50s. The lack of advertising for women over forty is staggering. The only commercials/ads seen on television or in print are for either millennials or seniors. And when you see a woman between the age of 40-55, she’s typically a soccer Mom. People fail to understand that women aged 45-54 are at the peak of their careers, and statistically, are the least impacted by uncertain times. We buy 65 percent of new cars, 91 percent of new homes, and 92 percent travel.
What was your motivation to start, Hey Lady?
My motivation was my passion for fashion, a love of travel, and to uplift women forty and over who, even though advertisers are not checking for, are thriving! I wanted to EMPOWER and INSPIRE women in that particular age group to live their best lives. To showcase diverse women over forty from all facets of life!
Describe the meaning behind the name for Hey Lady?
Hey, Lady is a phrase that my friends and I use when we call or greet one another. The word Lady invokes class, style, and sophistication. Something that I feel is missing these days.
What are your goals for Hey Lady, and what your expectations for this Brand?
Hey, Lady is a movement that I am building. I want to use my life as an inspiration to WOMEN worldwide to know that life truly begins at forty. My expectations for the Brand are that it becomes a global phenomenon where I can build mentorship programs for young ladies.
How does your story relate to the modern-day woman in her 40s?
My story relates to the modern-day woman because I am not a “celebrity!” I am a busy working mom with a ton of responsibilities. I am just the girl next store that wanted more out of life and decided to go after it.
What other factors have influenced your fashionista side?
I’ve always had a passion for fashion since I was a little girl. I would tear the pages out of my mother’s magazines and plaster the models all over my walls. I modeled for Saks’s Fifth Avenue at the age of fifteen and worked retail for many years. My godmother was also a model for Givenchy, so I was exposed to fashion most of my life.
On your website, you display several categories along with a lady of the week. What is the process for finding a lady of the week, and how does this help boost the empowerment and courage that women 40 and over need when they do not feel like starting something new or feeling defeated?
Lady of the Week is a woman over forty who displays the Hey Lady spirit. That spirit is a woman who is a go-getter, trend-setter, globe-trotter, and all-around BOSS. Whether she’s the BOSS of her home or business because both are equally important, we will seek out these women through social media and referrals. Representation is important if other women can SEE that women in the same boat are thriving; it will hopefully motivate them in the process.
What is next for you and Hey Lady? What can the 40 and fabulous crew expect from the Hey Lady movement?
To continue building a brand that is globally known! To have over one million YouTube subscribers and show advertisers that there is a HUGE market for forty and over women.
“Be an encourager; the world has enough critics already.” Tania is the epitome of an encourager, inspirer, and go-getter. Tania’s Brand represents love and care once lost and can be found again for the 40 and fabulous Hey Lady.
To learn more about Tania and the Hey Lady movement, follow on IG: @heyladybytania, Twitter: @heyladybytania, Pinterest: @Hey Lady by Tania, shop at www.heyladybytania.com and subscribe on YouTube @ Hey Lady by Tania.
Adezza DuBose is a lover of love and mental health speaker. She thrives in uplifting black people and hyping them up to be the best version of themselves. She is a poet, author, and blogger and enjoys eating seafood and vegan food.
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