Maia Willow is an experienced nurse, vintage fashion enthusiast and photographer. She has started a groundbreaking, national initiative to improve the quality of life for older Americans. At 89 years old, Willow is the virtual facilitator for “Our Timeless Threads.” Through this program, seniors residing in northern New South Wales are now treated to trendy clothing and accessories. Since she debuted her fashion shows in September of 2022, she’s been altering how the city’s older residents perceive themselves. In the process, she’s encouraging them to reimagine their sartorial decisions.
Willow’s project is both to provide seniors with the trendy apparel they desire as well as heal their spirits. She knows firsthand that seniors across our country feel ignored and abandoned. “It’s just so important, especially in older age when a lot of people feel quite forgotten,” Willow explained. Her commitment to her students drives her to foster a nurturing environment. Within this space, residents can feel comfortable experimenting with their aesthetic and wearing whatever they want to wear.
Fashion Events for Seniors
Willow hosts fashion events and private shopping days where one resident per day gets to shop for new clothes and get dressed up. At these occasions, community members can select from huge number of accessories. They can choose colorful, creative objects such as hats, feather boas, parasols, and jewels! The events are always warmly received, as many seniors have difficulty getting to shopping alternatives because of mobility constraints.
“Here’s resident Felicity Durham, who regularly takes part in the rides, to explain what it’s all about. “My favourite part is seeing the smiles on their faces as they see themselves in the mirror.” This piercing appraisal speaks to the low self-esteem, isolation, and stigma of being different that Willow’s project helps to erase, leaving participants feeling proud and happy.
Along with selling them, Willow hosts instructional workshops, educating local residents on the practical arts of fashioning stylish meal-time hoodies. These protectors are meant to preserve dignity while eating—not look like bibs. “I worked across many different care homes and noticed clothing was a huge issue, causing distress for families, staff, and the dignity of our elderly,” she noted.
A Journey Across Australia
Prior to starting “Our Timeless Threads,” Maia Willow used her professional nursing talents in the UK. She later worked as a contract nurse in the COVID-19 response across Australia. Her commitment to her adopted craft even won her Australian citizenship. Now she loves calling home in beautiful northern New South Wales after a boisterous trip around the country in her campervan. Armed with her ever-loyal sewing machine, she immersed herself in the rich culture and dynamic lifestyle of Australia.
Willow realized that seniors in particular could use all the rich experiences she had earned in her long nursing career. Motivated by this insight, she chose to start her fashion project. “Our elderly are often not looked up to as the wisdom keepers that they are,” she emphasized. Her vision goes beyond just distributing clothing—it’s about creating a feeling of community and belonging for seniors.
Bringing Fashion to Residents
Willow’s work has resulted in an outpouring of gratitude from area residents and healthcare workers. Florence Trotter, another participant, expressed her thoughts on the initiative: “Most people can’t get out to shop, so it’s like bringing the shop to you.” Today, seniors experience the instant gratification of being able to put on fashionable clothing right at the senior living community. This small but important change has had a meaningful impact on their lives.
That positive environment cultivated during these fashion gatherings fills all the players with hope and creativity. Trotter added, “I think it just lifts your spirit. When you get a new outfit you go, ‘Look at me!’” That feeling of optimism and invincibility manifests itself in the giggles and grins that accompany every one of our events.
