Les Confettis: Volume 16
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In a world where societal norms and the media often impose narrow definitions of beauty and success, I find it both refreshing and empowering to challenge these conventions.
In this edition of “Les Confettis,” I share my journey from being a model to becoming a photographer, where I now embrace and celebrate every stage of life.
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Denise Boomkens: The Age of Grace
Model then photographer, Denise Boomkens is an artist for whom all ages are golden. Through her Instagram account, AndBloom, the 47-year-old Dutchwoman inspires women of her generation and all others to challenge the fixed representations of female beauty. An interview that truly uplifts the spirit.
As a teenager, did you have role models?
When I was young, my idols were the supermodels of the 90s like Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss. In the end, they were very unrealistic representations of beauty. When I was a model myself, it was even more difficult for me to see these beautiful women with whom I could not compete. Looking back, I realize that this admiration was certainly not very healthy. However, nothing has changed. The Kardashian sisters are adored for their perfect features and bodies. This raises questions. Yet, there are so many incredible and enriching women who broaden the scope of what success looks like.
Did you always intend to enter the fashion industry?
It all began by chance. I remember very well—I was walking through the streets of Amsterdam with my parents, I must have been 14 or 15 years old. A modeling agent approached me and asked if I wanted to become a model. At that moment, it didn’t appeal to me. A few years later, I decided to join this agent in Paris to pursue this career. I lived there for a year before moving to Milan for five years. As the initial excitement faded, I no longer found meaning in that life. It felt “empty,” without inspiration. My creative flame was no longer being stimulated. So I decided to return to the Netherlands to step behind the camera and become a photographer. It was like reclaiming something. I was asserting an active creativity after years of what I considered passivity. My interest in art, aesthetics, image, and beauty could finally be expressed.
You say that traveling is a great opportunity.
Absolutely. I strongly believe in the virtues of travel. When you travel and encounter different cultures and people, you learn to decipher the enigma of the world. In fact, we are leaving for Belgrade tomorrow. I’ve never been there, so I’m particularly excited. And afterward, I hope to spend a few days in Paris in July or August, as it always brings a lot of inspiration. From the architecture to the vibrant streets, everything is so enchanting. Of course, it requires training your eyes to see wonder. I constantly practice this. There is beauty in everything, and once you understand that, it becomes a philosophy of life.
This vision is at the heart of your photographic work.
That’s right. When I started doing portraits of older women, I deliberately rejected everything society had taught me. I deconstructed piece by piece the puzzle of injunctions that were supposed to define women’s beauty. No, beauty does not lie in age, perfection, smooth skin, or firmness, and it should be even less of a source of competition. It’s an energy, an aura, a spirit, an emancipation, a story. It’s all about education, and my commitment through social media with @and.bloom is aimed at conveying this plural and embodied representation of beauty.
Did your maternity play a role in your relationship with this liberated and awakened beauty?
Yes, of course, but not only that. When I was younger, I was a fashion photographer among many others. I photographed young women who perfectly matched standardized beauty. And curiously (laughs), I was growing older while the models in front of my lens were always very young. I began to feel a dissonance that made my relationship with the passage of time all the more painful. As I approached my forties, I was no longer comfortable in this system. My pregnancy with my son at 40 somewhat liberated me. I had had a long and very rich career, so I decided to dedicate myself to my family. It was a major turning point. After two years as a full-time mom, I began to question the future of my professional adventures. I tried to find inspiration on Instagram, in magazines, but nothing spoke to the aesthete in her forties that I had become. This frustration was unbearable, so I transformed it into a personal initiative. I picked up my camera again and started photographing older women, including my mother.
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"I had then found the meaning I was missing while being at the forefront of a movement—the movement for greater diversity in female representation."
Denise Boomkens: The Age of Grace
Was it difficult to find models that matched your vision?
It wasn’t easy, and it is still an ongoing investigation today (laughs). I always tried to work with both models and women who aren’t professional models, such as friends’ mothers, for example. Although more and more women are now sharing the natural aging traits of their faces on social media, it’s not yet widespread. And then there’s the use of injections, Botox… that’s not what I want to highlight.
I was amazed to learn anew because, in front of women aged 40, 50, 60, 70, I told different, deeper, more necessary, and more precious stories.
Do you pass on this unconditional love and respect for women to your son?
It’s fundamental for me, yes. When my son arrived, I became aware of the world and how society predisposes each of us to certain roles from a very young age. It’s therefore very important to me that he grows up to be an ally of women, that he considers, respects, and encourages women to claim their well-being, including in their relationship with the aging process. Ultimately, it’s about educating him in kindness, indulgence, and the celebration of diverse beauties. I am happy to share these joyful values with him, and I believe he is happy as well. We have a lot of fun together.
This approach to transmission seems to be a true calling. You also encourage women to follow their own path and to love themselves as they are.
I know how much courage it takes to embark on this journey. And I believe that even if the situation is complicated, there is always a way to achieve it if you truly want to. That’s what I try to share with my followers. Life is made up of struggles as well as surprises. There are no limits to what you can do in life, even less so to age or numbers. There is always room in the world, but you must claim it without waiting for validation or approval from others. Unfortunately, it’s still difficult for many women because we are educated to make space for others.
Your platform is called AndBloom, so what does that mean to you? Why flowers?
In the Netherlands, there is an expression that we might share with your language: “the flower of age.” It is used to describe women somewhere between their twenties and thirties. It’s absurd. As if vitality, beauty, and grace are conditioned by age. At every age, women bloom and in many different aspects of their lives. So I reclaimed this expression to give it the meaning that women deserve.
What brings you the most joy in all this?
I derive immense pleasure from combining all my interests and the different facets of my personality in this project. Since 2018, the beginning of AndBloom, each day is an opportunity to enjoy being a model, photographer, and mother. I create portraits of extraordinary women, play with color, spend time with my son, and do things at my own pace in line with my aspirations. It’s both a privilege and a great joy. I’m fortunate to have a partner who has supported me since the project’s inception and allows me to focus on it without stress. It was important for me to invest my savings in a project that gives meaning to my existence. Fashion, beauty, motherhood, entrepreneurship—AndBloom is a kaleidoscope that feeds my creativity while promoting an increasingly diverse and inclusive idea of beauty.
Do you perceive a significant shift in society’s attitude toward older women?
I believe that many women have felt the same dissonance I experienced during my career—the invisibility of women over 40 in film representations or the media. Beyond advertisements for anti-wrinkle cosmetics and gardening tools, it was hard to see mature women. So, women began to fill these empty spaces. And today, many women in their forties, fifties, and sixties share their looks and lifestyle on social media. We must never forget that we make up society; it evolves through our imagination and actions. However, there is still a latent pressure. We have a long way to go, but the collective power of women is making a difference.
A few words about your future projects?
I’m very busy right now with AndBloom, and I have a meeting later this morning for a second book. It’s an exciting prospect! For this book, I will return to the studio to photograph new women, and I’m thrilled about this new dynamic. I’m excited to enrich the imagery of women in their 40s and 50s, which is still underdeveloped compared to the entire industry aimed at young girls.
I also organize events once a year. They are costume parties where women are invited to wear whatever they want. It’s lively, colorful, and festive. We dance all afternoon; it’s a true celebration that allows community mechanisms to transcend the virtuality of social media. This concrete and real connection is very important to me. Even though I have many followers, I always try to respond to all comments and, if I can, to direct messages.
Your book, The Art of Aging Unapologetically, is also a materialization of your philosophy.
Yes, I am very proud of it. It is a gallery of portraits of older women that I created. A British publishing house noticed my work on Instagram and encouraged me to turn it into a book. It was a wonderful experience that provided me with a creative outlet during the Covid period.
A final word for our readers captivated by your infectious joy?
I think it’s good to try and dare in life. Of course, French women are bold; it shows in your sense of style and your relationship with fashion. But beyond the wardrobe, I encourage all women to take the plunge, to have fun, and to live intensely. Go for it. Don’t let anyone make you feel invisible or tell you that it’s impossible. Show them your true colors.
Magazine: Les Confettis
What is Les Confettis magazine about?
Les Confettis is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on celebrating individuality, creativity, and positive living. It covers a wide range of topics including fashion, beauty, culture, and personal development. The magazine is known for its vibrant and inclusive approach, highlighting diverse voices and stories that inspire readers to embrace their uniqueness and live life to the fullest.
How often is Les Confettis published?
Les Confettis is a quarterly magazine, meaning it is published four times a year. Each issue is themed to reflect seasonal trends, current events, and timely topics relevant to its readers. The publication schedule ensures that readers receive fresh and engaging content throughout the year.
How can I subscribe to Les Confettis?
You can subscribe to Les Confettis through their official website. The subscription options typically include digital and print formats, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your preferences. Subscribers often receive exclusive content, early access to new issues, and special offers.
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