Lifestyle Style Martha Stewart Hits Back at Critiques About Dressing Her Age: 'I’ve Dressed the Same Since I Was 17' "I don’t think about age," the lifestyle guru, 82, said By Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 22, 2023 10:40AM EDT Martha Stewart. Photo: Gotham/FilmMagic Martha Stewart is clapping back at her critics. The lifestyle guru, 82, attended the Fashion Group International Night of Stars gala in New York City earlier this week, where she addressed critiques about dressing her age while speaking with The New York Post's Page Six. After she was asked by the outlet about "dressing for one’s age," Stewart responded with a laugh: "Dressing for whose age?" “I’ve dressed the same since I was 17,” the businesswoman continued. “If you look at my pictures on my Instagram, I look pretty much the same.” Added Stewart: "I don’t think about age. I think people are more and more and more [fabulous] than they’ve ever been in their senior years, and I applaud every one of them." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Martha Stewart. Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Martha Stewart Shines in a ‘Sparkly Suit’ Covered in Sequins at Glitzy New York Fashion Gala During the event, Stewart wore a white sequin bouclé suit, which she made complete with a boxy blazer adorned with a flower appliqué on the shoulder and a wide-leg jumpsuit. She rounded out the set with metallic peep-toe shoes, dramatic hanging earrings and a tan bag. Stewart's sparkly two-piece outfit was made by designer Dennis Basso, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event from the author herself. “I was asked by the inimitable @dennisbasso to present him with the first award of the night,” Stewart wrote on Instagram, commemorating the evening. “He has had a storied career dressing the fanciest of ladies, including movie stars and First Ladies, as well as millions of others who were able to purchase his designs on @qvc for the past 30 years!” Martha Stewart. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Martha Stewart Threw 'Modesty Out the Window' for Sultry 'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' Cover (Exclusive) Earlier this year, Stewart became a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover model, alongside Megan Fox, Kim Petras and Brooks Nader. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the time, Stewart called the opportunity "once in a lifetime," but joked that the timing was curious. "It should have been 30 years ago," she said with a laugh. "That would have been great. It was not a goal I set for myself, but once asked, I thought to myself, let's do it!" Stewart added that a bathing suit spread was meaningful to her — and something she saw as meaningful for any woman. "It's important to stand up to challenges, whether they're beauty challenges or intellectual challenges, even philanthropic challenges," she said. "To be able to stand up and do it, to me, is so fun! And this is accomplishing something that not everybody would accomplish."