Vogue model turns 102 in style with care home photo shoot

A Vogue model who catwalked her way around the globe with a figure that wowed crowds at runway fashion shows is celebrating her 102th birthday at her care home with a photo shoot.

Former haute couture model May Banham has lived a life of glamour since she began a modelling career in the 1930s. She has graced the pages of Vogue magazine but she still got excited when a photo shoot was planned by care home staff for her 102nd birthday.

'It was a marvellous time and one I won't forget'

The woman whose beauty, grace and natural flair for the job was highly sought after, did not hesitate to strike a pose for the camera after a hair and make-over at Agincare’s Blenheim Care Home in Bournemouth.

As well as modelling, Ms Banham established her own dressing agency for catwalk shows but when the second world war began, she changed jobs and began working for the government in the Ministry of Supply.

May Banham lives with dementia but when someone asks her about modelling, her eyes light up.

“It was a marvelous time, and one I won’t forget,” says May Banham.

When asked by care staff about the fashion industry, she’s even been willing to let them in on some insider-exclusive secrets about style, comportment and grace.

Care home manager Tracy Jennings threw a birthday party for her after the photo shoot and no less than 102 individual pink balloons were blown up at the care home.

'She needed no prompt'

Blenheim Care Home is run by care provider Agincare, which operates over 50 care settings.

The care home’s activities coordinator Niamh Coffey organised the photo shoot which involved Bournemouth-based firm DK Capture Photography and professional make up artist Natasha Parker volunteering their services after rearranging their diaries to make it happen.

Ms Banham’s dementia did not stop her surprising the photographer with some striking poses.

“She loved it… it was like a light switch”, says activities coordinator, Niamh Coffey.

“Like she just went up to bat as a model; she became the model she’s always been.

“She needed no prompt, they didn’t need to tell her anything.

“She naturally remembered exactly how to pose and didn’t need guidance. The photographer [David] said he’d never seen anything like it.”

“We feel privileged to see her at work."

click here for more details or to contact Blenheim Care Home