The story of Rosa Saito, or Setsuko Saito (she adopted the name Rosa for easier pronunciation), is one of inspiration and brightness.
She inadvertently challenged the predisposed notions surrounding both beauty and aging by becoming a model at 68 years old, and is successfully continuing to do so at the age of 71.
Rosa had always had a talent and passion for the arts. Born in Araçatuba, São Paulo, her childhood was filled with creativity: she took up singing, drawing, and writing, believing she was destined to connect her life with the arts in one way or the other. “I always knew I was going to pursue something creative, something I could invent. Everything I do I take to that side,” she said, as reported by BrightSide.
However, that road would be far from reach for young Rosa. At 22, she took care of her mother, who was bedridden for three years. Then, in 2000, she had to say goodbye to her husband as he passed away, leaving her to be the sole carer for their 3 children.
What kept her spirits high was her love for plants and gardening. She found her daily meditation in them. “It is important to seek and find yourself. And my moment of peace is with them (plants). I go to my garden and talk to them,” she said.
Years passed, and it seemed Rosa’s life was a life well-lived, though destiny had another idea. She was unexpectedly approached by professionals in the fashion industry, asking her to model for them.
“Twice it was by professionals from the Mega modeling agency and once by a photographer. I let the idea mature for a year, after all, it had costs too. It wasn’t something I was going to get into just like that, blindly,” she recalled.
Until she decided to take the risk at 68 years old. Although she had little knowledge of the industry, it didn’t stop her one bit. Her adventurous spirit led her down the road that was promised to her at the very beginning of her life. She had found her passion and her calling. It even got her into São Paulo Fashion Week!
Her goal has never been fame. “I only seek to do the best in what I embrace with love and to find myself. I thought: Be what God wants. If I don’t try, I’ll never know,” she told Estadão. This, however, has not stopped her from gaining over 45K followers on Instagram.
At 1.68 meters in height and naturally slim, she revealed that she’d been vigilant to take the best care of her body. She was raised in a very natural way and never got to take even one aspirin as a child. “It was all based on tea, and in my essence, I am like that, kind of against everything that is chemistry. So I always took care of myself with aloe, coconut oil, olive oil,” she said.
Yet, she emphasized the importance of being in harmony with oneself. “The beauty itself is in really taking care of your thoughts, your spirituality. The person can become beautiful, captivating, friendly, this is much more than the beauty all stretched and perfect. It’s the content that counts, in my opinion,” Rosa explained.
“Of course, as a woman, there are some things I’d like to change. We all do, but I’m not dissatisfied with myself. I feel beautiful”, she stated. “I don’t believe aging is the right word. I would say learning. I keep learning and I feel that the more I learn, the less I know. Surely time passes, but what is time, my God in heaven? If I were to give my soul an age, I would give it 22.”
For her, the beauty industry’s standards are oppressive, but she believes there is hope. “I feel that slowly we are changing. People are living longer, taking care of themselves more and companies really need to open up more in that sense and visualize these potential customers.”
Rosa encourages all aspiring models to “never stop dreaming and wishing, you are in the right place and time!”
Although the industry may not be the easiest to break into and to thrive in, “with determination and a lot of perseverance you can achieve what you want. Above all, love yourself,” Rosa told Bored Panda.
“We all are unique beings, it is essential that each one identifies in their own appearance and feels good,” she continued. “And above all, be happy!”