Supermodel Marie Helvin, 71, looks incredible as she strips off to see-through lace lingerie
SUPERMODEL Marie Helvin has stripped to a stunning selection of lingerie after insisting she "isn't ready to retire" aged 71.
The catwalk star chose a variety of racy garments, including a cut-out floral print corset and semi-sheer stockings for her latest shoot.
Marie, who was scouted in Japan aged just 15, struck a pose in a pink thonged bra with matching thong, covered up in a red blazer.
She also chose a nude and black lace bra with matching high waisted knickers and stockings, as well as a semi-sheer slip dress paired with a thong.
Marie, who has appeared in many editions of British, French and Italian Vogue, finished off her look with a pop of bright red lipstick.
She styled her brunette locks into neat waves and looked completely comfortable in front of the camera in her barely-there attire.
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Yet as well as making a fashion statement, Marie is eager to make a political point while donning her garments from Bluebella lingerie.
She has revealed her feisty side in comments about her latest work and insisted: "I'm not ready to retire yet, who says a woman can't model lingerie in her 70s?
"I refuse to be defined and discriminated against because of my age.
"It makes me so angry that women are ignored and become invisible after the age of 60.
"Marketing execs and brands are fixated on women in the 20s and 30s and steadfastly ignore women past that age, this has got to stop."
The star, who is familiar to the fashion houses of Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino, said the attitude reflects a wider problem in society.
She suggested many females are "stuck in a rut" and encouraged them to "take back who you are."
Marie urged: "Take back your individuality, take back your power as a woman and explore all that entails. That includes treating yourself to beautiful things like lingerie, it means treating yourself to good sex, to good food, to a good life, to kindness, to all those wonderful things.
"I hope by doing a campaign like this, it will make women feel a bit freer and make them think, if she can do it, I can do it. And I've loved it.
"It's been wonderful to wear beautiful lingerie that feels good, that makes me feel good and I know that looks good to others.
"It's exciting. I'm so excited about this campaign and I just know that women my age and older are going to love it."
She has been open in speaking out about women's issues.
Two years ago, she told how she had a mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis.
The diagnosis hit home after the star cared for her mum during her own breast cancer battle in Hawaii in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, it appears Marie's career has taken a positive turn after a tricky few years.
Back in 2022, she told how she was considering getting a job in a supermarket because she was so broke.
At the time, Marie said: "I’m completely self-reliant, and I don’t know what I am going to do, because during the pandemic period, I’ve used up most of my savings now and I’m seriously thinking about going home."
The star has thought about getting a job in a food store where she grew up because she feels like she wouldn't be judged for it.
She added: "They have less stigma about age with getting jobs.
"You can get a job at Whole Foods in your 80s in America.
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"Put it this way, I wouldn’t apply to work in Whole Foods here [in the UK]. But back home in Hawaii, if I needed to, I’d go there and work."
Marie married ex husband and photographer David Bailey in 1975, but the pair divorced 10 years later.
