If there's one thing that Joan Didion's new campaign for Céline proves, it's that some things only get better with age. Selfridges has adopted pretty much the same philosophy for a new twist on its Bright Young Things scheme, which profiles the newest and most exciting creative talents in fashion.

In the past, the people profiled tend to be on the spring chicken side of things: think younger designers like Simone Rocha, Astrid Andersen and 'haute coiffure' Charlie le Mindu. This year it's decided to switch things up a bit and celebrate Bright Old Things – that is, 14 creatives ranging from their late 40s to mid 80s.

They include from instantly recognisable names like Instagram star and menswear designer Nick Wooster to newer creatives like architect-turned-topiarist Tim Bushe. In fact, quite a few of the Bright Old Things have engineered pretty inspiring mid-career turnarounds, not least Molly Parker – a former Sunday Times fashion editor who overcame alcoholism to become a successful painter in her 80s. 

"After feeling flattered and then even older, I was more gobsmacked that there were actually so many talented people doing interesting things later in life," Wooster told us. "Not that I think I'm so talented or so interesting. I happen to have an expensive clothing habit, so for me designing clothes is a way to kill two birds with one stone."

Each creative will unveil their own Selfridges window on Oxford Street, take part in events spotlighting their work at the store and see their products sold online and in-store. In an exclusive shoot, Todd Selby (you know, the Selby blogger who takes gutwrenching jealousy-inducing photos of cool people and where they live) photographed some of the Bright Old Things in their chosen hangouts. You can check them out in the gallery above.

So do any of the Bright Old Things have any sage words of advice for the younger generation? "My advice to young people--wait until it's your turn. Just kidding, sorta," Wooster says.

"I think the hardest thing to do when you're young is to be patient. And I was the worst in my 20s and early 30s. But I am living proof that time flies, whether you're having fun or not. So enjoy being young. And cute. And get laid a lot."

We'll raise a glass to that.