90 Is The New 40 (VIDEO)

If you ever get the chance to visit New York's West Village you may have the wonderful opportunity to run into one of the neighborhood's most enchanting women. At 90 years old, artist and performer, Ilona Royce Smithkin is busier than ever. She walks around in her signature brightly colored get-ups, fiery red hair, and long eyelashes ready to put a smile on the face of any passerby. Like many of her friends, I met Ilona after approaching her walking down the street. I was drawn to her bright colors and sense of freedom and openness. I asked if I could take her photo and we have been great friends ever since.

Ilona has had a long career as a painter and art instructor, painting the likes of the Kennedy children and Ayn Rand. In the last decade she has been performing her brilliant "Yyelash Cabaret" every summer in Provincetown, where she flirts with her audience and sings the classics of Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. Up until last year Ilona could do the splits, telling me, "The last ten years have been the best of my life. I am more confident and comfortable in my own skin."

Here are some inspiring quotes from Ilona Royce Smithkin:

• "Embrace opportunities that come your way"
• "If you feel a pain think of something light and positive"
• "Colors can lift your spirits"
• "Be a fighter, challenge yourself, when you decide to do something do it well, give all of yourself"
• "If you try to imitate too much, then you look like nothing. Never compare yourself, YOU are YOU."
• "Feel beautiful inside and you will be beautiful outside"
• "When I move, I mooooove"
• "I've always had the same style because it's loose, it's my feeling of FREEDOM... I'm free and I'm open!"

For more on Ilona CLICK HERE .

This clip was made in collaboration with film maker Lina Plioplyte.

 

Follow Ari Cohen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AriSethCohen

Comments

[Marlene Katzel]

03:02 PM on 03/10/2011

I've known Ilona for most of my life. You are so correct. She is most enchanting. She is the most colorful person I will ever know. I feel so lucky to know her!
Marlene K.

[nycagnes]

02:33 AM on 03/02/2011

What a wonderful, wise and beautiful woman. I want to be like her when i grow up.

[AJ Caparica]

07:38 PM on 03/01/2011

Truly an inspirational lady. It is so uplifting to see someone so comfortable and so in tune with themselves; even through the video she secretes an enormous amount of positive energy.

[nolalily]

12:29 AM on 03/01/2011

My mother-in-law is a gifted costume designer and artist from Berlin. She just turned 91. She is the light of my life and a royal pain in the ass. I love her dearly. She still wears a white, spaghetti strapped bustier and oodles of bracelets up both arms. She lives in LA and I wouldn't trade her for all the world. She is one of those women who is totally chic in a turbin. Besides, she taught my husband the difference between organza and tulle.

[Ari Cohen]

10:54 AM on 03/01/2011

Please send me photos of her I would love too see her.

Ari Seth Cohen

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/
[e-mail]

[seajewel]

11:52 PM on 02/28/2011

She reminds me of Louise hay a bit.

[HelloWerld]

06:39 PM on 02/28/2011

LOVE HER!

[lolavedanta]

12:14 PM on 02/27/2011

IIona is magical . She is a true inspiration to live life without fear. Color worship should be a religion.

[bobclapp1936]

09:31 AM on 02/27/2011

Thought I'd ask: How many such beautiful lifetimes are cut short by the genocide and infanticide of OUR wars? Or, they don't count because we call them collateral damage!

[Sananda]

05:38 PM on 02/26/2011

I love her -- what an example of vitality and individuality. Go girl!

[Pema]

03:16 PM on 02/26/2011

she rocks...i wonder if shes on social media?

[Ari Cohen]

10:55 AM on 03/01/2011

Ilona isn't on social media, but you can find more of her here http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/p/wisdom-from-90-year-old-lady.html

[Pema]

01:24 PM on 03/01/2011

ari thank you!
please let her know she is touching the hearts of many. shes a treasure.
happiness,
pema

[theredqueen]

01:52 PM on 02/26/2011

A wise and beautiful woman.

[mmgbizgirl]

12:33 PM on 02/26/2011

She is delightful.

[KatheeMiller]

11:41 AM on 02/26/2011

When I was growing up in Wantagh Long Island and NYC, NY-my parents Rae (Rachel) and Ernie Miller had an art gallery in our home. They gave Ilona Smithkin a one woman show plus showed her work and sold many of her paintings to friends and neighbors.Our house was filled with her paintings. She did a fabulous portrait of my mother that she cherished till she died. Ilona came out to the shows at our house often. I have such fond memories of her. We all sat for portraits in her studio in NYC too. I emailed you with some photos from 1959, 1960's. Thanks for sharing more of her wonderful spirit.
km

[CONNLOEB]

11:05 AM on 02/26/2011

ahhhh, we should all aspire to be so free! yes, i do want to be her when i grow up!

[Anna JD]

10:34 AM on 02/26/2011

I just love your romp here, Ari, with all your gal pals. You're doing something special and something really cool. Your blog and video and commentary here are really leading edge. You have my respect, admiration and love! Thanks for being so cool and lucky you to know so many beautiful and exciting seniors into live, fashion and beauty. Get over that cold, take extra Vitamin C and Zinc lozenges will improve the situation, Ari!