At 72, she wore a red suit, showed her body to the world and was told she should know better.

But why are we still telling women what they can and can't do at a certain age?

Welcome to Episode 13 of The Reinvention Series. I'm Wanda, founder of Estetika. I started my business at 50, and now, at 54, I'm building my own beauty accessories brand.

Meet Faye Browne

Faye Browne is the Australian fashion designer behind Motto Fashions. She was in her early 30s when she co founded Motto in Melbourne in 1985 with her husband, John.

Today, at 72, she's still challenging what it means to grow older, while her daughter Lauren runs the business as CEO.

Together, they're showing that women can build a successful business across generations, dress boldly and live unapologetically.

Much deeper than fashion

Faye's story goes much deeper than clothes.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 58 and went through a double mastectomy and reconstruction. She has spoken openly about a time when she couldn't look at her own body in the mirror, and about the work it took to feel comfortable and confident in it again.

She chose not to hide her body or apologise for it.

This year, Faye fronted a Motto campaign on billboards in Sydney and Melbourne, wearing an open red power suit with her chest bare. The message was simple: you are the occasion. Cancer, she said, taught her not to wait for a special occasion to enjoy life, and she has never saved anything for best since.

She also said she was nervous for about 30 seconds, and then felt incredibly free. Red helps.

Celebrated by some, judged by others

When Faye shared that confidence publicly, some women celebrated her. Others judged her. She was called cheap. She was told to grow up.

Photo: Mark Fitzgerald / Motto Fashions

And yet, for every cruel comment, she said a woman messaged her to say she needed to see it. Those are the messages Faye holds on to. I think that tells you everything about why it mattered.

Generations of women behind the business

What I also love about Faye's story is the generations of women behind the business. A mother who built it. A daughter who now leads it. Both standing behind a campaign they knew would get a reaction.

I see that in my own life. My mum and my daughters have all helped me along the way, each bringing something different to Estetika. Three generations of women supporting each other.

I think there's something really powerful about that. When women pass confidence down, and pass it back up again, everyone gets braver.

Why are women still policing women?

But I'm also passionate about how quickly women judge other women.

Too much makeup. Not enough makeup. Too much surgery. Dressing too young. Showing too much skin.

When did we become the people telling each other what we're allowed to do?

Most of those comments under Faye's campaign weren't from strangers who had walked in her shoes. They were opinions about what a woman of 72 should and shouldn't do with her own body. A body that has been through cancer, surgery and recovery, and is still here.

Surely getting older should mean more freedom, not more rules.

Your choice, your rules

Whether you choose treatments, embrace every wrinkle, wear the red suit or never wear one at all, that choice belongs to you.

Faye's choice was hers. Your choice is yours. Neither needs anyone else's permission.

Over to you

So here's to Faye, Lauren, and every generation of women encouraging the next to live unapologetically.

Have you ever been told you're too old to wear something or do something? Tell me in the comments below. I read every one.

Watch Episode 13 of The Reinvention Series: Faye Browne and the Red Suit

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Wanda x
Founder, Estetika

Wanda Szychowska is the founder of Estetika. She started her business at 50 and writes The Reinvention Series from Sydney. If you'd like to see what she's building, you'll find her makeup bags and beauty cases at estetika.com.au.