Today the third beautiful woman from the preliminary series of 3 nude portraits. What arose spontaneously makes such an impact.

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]oes it sound strange when I say that I have a little bit of a crush on all my Bloomers? All the portraits that I take in my studio, choose and edit behind my computer, and eventually publish within the project are a piece of myself.

The project grows to my heart and sometimes takes a spontaneous side-turn that I had not imagined myself. Like the 3 women who posed nude with pride and self-love during the last photoshoot. I am so proud of all my Bloomers, they not only inspire me, they inspire so many women with their strength and beauty.

This is Denuelle. When she walked into the studio, I thought momentarily that she was lost… Like; wrong studio girl, this is a project for women over 40. It took me a second to realize that, like my beautiful friend Dayenne, this gorgeous woman will probably never get one wrinkle in her face. The same birth year as

mine, 1975, only Denuelle looks like she is 25, and I look like I am 45… ?

I don’t think I’ve ever been jealous of another woman in my life. Of course, I sometimes think: damn, why don’t I have long, thick blond hair with a natural blow? Yes, oh well, bad luck, I don’t have such hair, and I will never get it unless I wear a wig. Or those beautiful round buttocks? I used to be so insecure about my flat butt; nowadays, I laugh about my flatties, and I am happy to sit on them.

Celebrating women’s beauty is a triumph for me. Discovering the things you miss in yourself in the beauty of another woman completes the whole. Complementing each other is what sisterhood is ultimately all about—loving, appreciating, cheering, and accepting ourselves and others.

Jealousy is when you count someone else’s blessing instead of your own.

Tell us what you’d like us to know about yourself:

I am Denuelle, and I am 45 years old. I am a single mom of two wonderful boys. I ran my own business until COVID-19 messed it all up. I recently had to close the doors of my shop. Right now I am thinking about what I want to do next.

Here’s a fun fact: I have known Dayenne Bekker (your best friend) since I was a kid. Her mother is best friends with my mother. Dayenne and I have known each other for a long time and very well.

Oh, and yes, I am scared that there is currently a nude portrait of me on Instagram and on this website! But although I find it scary, I am proud of myself and my body.

What can you tell us about love?

Love grows with you as you get older. Love is pure, and that’s how I experience it. Whether it’s is a love affair between two partners or between friends. Once you cross my line, then it’s over. May sound very black and white, but this is how I grew into it as I got older.

Childhood memories that made you into the woman you are today?

As a child, I learned to trust myself and make sure I could save myself in this world. I was raised by a single mother together with 2 brothers. Although my mother did not always have an easy time, partly due to health issues, I did not experience it that way. I never had the idea of falling short and been raised with lots of love. If I can only give a fraction of this love to my children, then I am blessed.

What do you consider the strangest part of getting older?

The strangest part of getting older is that you don’t age in your head. I can sometimes still blush like a 15-year-old girl. Or just be as nervous as a child before my first presentation. I love being crazy with my kids.

But when I look in the mirror, I see that I am changing. I used to be one of the slimmest girls in my class; I could eat whatever I wanted without gaining an ounce; that’s changing now.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to be a 15-year-old girl, not even in my early twenties, but changing my body is something I find difficult to notice.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Live, don’t think about limitations. If you have a dream go for it, and if you do fall ….. get up and try again!

Best parenting advice?

Oefffff, difficult because every parent wants to do the best for their kids. By letting them know and feel that you love them and are always there for them, you create a good foundation.

What do you do for work?

Have been working in the fashion industry for over 30 years. At the moment I am finishing my business and closing my shop. Until six months ago I had a thriving women’s clothing store in the mid-high segment.

I breathe fashion and contact with people is something I do from my heart and gives me energy. So my future job will have to be a good combination of these two.

What does body positivity mean to you?

Be happy with who you are and how your body changes as you get older. Look around you … it is not a matter of course that you can turn 20, 30 or 40. Aging is a privilege.

What’s the Biggest Risk You’ve Ever Taken?

The biggest step I have ever taken is to become an independent entrepreneur, but I don’t call that a risk. I see it more as an opportunity and I would do it again.

What’s your biological age and how old do you feel?

I am 45 years old, but I feel … when I am shy, I am 15. When I have to negotiate business, I feel in my mid-40s. After exercising, I feel like I am 60 years old. It is only a number, so I don’t attach too much value to that

Denuelle