Iconic American model and actress Carmen Dell'Orefice explained her rise to fame in a recent interview with Videofashion.

The 85-year-old is the world's oldest woman working as a model— a career she started at the age of 13 when she signed her first modeling contract for $7.50 an hour.

"I started in the industry when the industry was born right after World War II," said Dell'Orefice. "Because of the war, ladies couldn't go to Europe and have their couture clothes made. I'm part of the era of America's development of couture [when designers were] doing their own thing and not just depending on the talented Europeans."

On her impact, Dell'Orefice adds: "I hope I've helped women get out of the closet about aging, and live their life and not try to compete with themselves at a younger age or anybody else at any age."

"I've finally hit a point in my life where I have a look that is uniquely mine," she said. "Time defines me. I lived it, I own it, and I present it."

A true inspiration! Check out the interview below: