CREATIVE DIRECTION Celine Van Heel
PHOTOGRAPHY Andres Garlujan
STYLING Freddy Alonso
STYLING ASSISTANT Kim Bonney
MUA Celtia Lata
HAIR Dani Zuñiga
When fashion photographer Celine Van Heel moved from Paris to live with her grandfather, Andrés García-Carro, in Spain at the start of the pandemic, the pair were unaware of the creativity their union would inspire. Shut inside, 91-year-old Andrés quickly began posing as Celine’s muse, embodying the same casual confidence, glamour and humour that Celine had associated with her grandfather since her childhood.
The duo landed their first print editorial in L’Officiel China’s 2020 print issue, and have since shot campaigns for GCDS, eBay, Celine and Adidas, attended events with Saint Laurent, BOSS and Mugler, and designed a namesake collection for Zara Man, all under Celine’s attentive artistic guidance.
Celine and Andrés’ creative partnership proves that youthfulness is a state of mind and has no age-limit. His only regret? Not starting sooner, a reminder to us all that you’re never ‘too old’ to discover new avenues of your creativity.
What are your earliest memories of your grandfather’s style?
Celine: I will always remember my grandfather as super elegant, smoking his pipe, with a comb in his pocket (in case his hair doesn’t look good) and a glass of whiskey at 8PM.
What inspires you most about your grandfather?
C: How he goes through life with such a positive mindset, his energy, unique aura, he is eternally young…
How has your grandfather’s style inspired your own?
C: I think what has inspired me the most is to feel good with yourself, be super self-confident, and most importantly – try to be different, unique, you are one of a kind.
Our relationship has become much more than just a grandfather and granddaughter one. We are more like best friends or siblings, we create together, we do business… it has become one of the most special relationships ever.
How has working alongside your grandfather changed your perspective on ageing?
C: People, especially women, have always been told to fight against ageing. To always look young, beautiful, without wrinkles, without cellulite. In my case, my grandfather has taught me to love yourself at any age. Beauty has absolutely no age. You can do anything at any age.
What made you choose the title ‘The Spanish King’ for your project?
C: We were in quarantine during COVID, just me my grandfather and my grandmother. He was the King, she was the Queen, I called them like that every day. I like to be ironic and make jokes with them all the time… so I just created his Instagram account and thought I was going to create the new King – not only the King of my house, but the King of Spain!
How has your photography developed as you’ve worked on this project?
C: I remember the first pictures I took were of my grandpa…he was my first muse, model and the person who pushed me to pursue a new career as photographer. I instantly loved it! My skills have developed after 3 years, I’ve learned a lot, but my idea / vision about photography will remain the same. I want colour, extravagance, irony, sexy – more is more!
When did you first start to develop your sense of style, and do you remember your early inspirations?
Andres: I’ve always been the weirdo in my family who dressed very modern. I remember at the time I was one of the first to wear a long fur coat in my city. My mother used to tell me I looked like Yves Saint Laurent, so I started to watch his work and I guess he was one of my early inspirations.
Who inspires you now? (Has this changed or remained the same?)
A: Young people inspire me. I love to be surrounded by young people (especially when I work) because I learn so much about them in terms of culture, morals, fashion, relations, technology and so on. I don’t want to sit with my generation playing cards or watching tv all day waiting for life to end [he laughs].
As you’ve gotten older, how has your age influenced your style, if at all?
A: Don’t talk about age! Age is in your head. I am and will always be young. In my day-to-day life, I like to be elegant. But when Celine comes and we are together, I love to get crazier and try anything. I like to be a chameleon and be able to wear any style.
What has starting your modelling career at 90 taught you about yourself?
A: You know what… I’ve had so many different lives in just one. I am used to start new chapters. I can do anything at any age. I am very thankful to my granddaughter for discovering me and I see this as a new life, another new chapter. And by the way, I think it is the best life of all the lives I’ve had.
There are still many things to change, but we’ve found that society – and especially our industry – is interested in unique, diverse profiles that are an example to everyone,” says #12 The Age Issue cover star @celinevanheel. “The beauty standards have changed so much. After major campaigns he has done, we know that the key to the success of the King is that he is unique.
What preconceptions did you have about ageing, and how do they compare now as you look back?
A: I’ve never had preconceptions about ageing.
You’ve been described as “carefree” and “young at heart”. At what age or stage in your life did others begin to describe you in this way?
A: Always.
What inspires your tenacious and youthful spirit?
A: I don’t know, I guess I was just born this way. I don’t like to analyse things too much – I am just this way, it comes naturally to me.
We are constantly warned about the difficulties that come with ageing. In your opinion, what have been the benefits of ageing?
A: You have much more knowledge about life, and you don’t care at all about what people think of you. They say “you do you,” and I’m proud of just being me.
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