At 76, See iconic model Twiggy now
Despite her pivotal role in transforming the fashion scene with her youthful style, the legendary model recently admitted that she never desired the androgynous aesthetic that characterized the Swinging Sixties; her shyness prevented her from rejecting the haircut proposed by a well-known stylist at an upscale salon.
As she celebrates her 77th birthday on September 19, let’s look back at the 1960s when Twiggy laid the groundwork for the beloved baby doll fashion trends that remain popular today!
In 1966, Twiggy, born Lesley Hornby in the UK, sought a chic new style to jumpstart her modeling career. Standing at 5-foot-6, she had been told that her height would hinder her success in the cutthroat fashion industry.
On her 74th birthday, she reminisced about her shoulder-length hair being styled for test photos at London’s House of Leonard, where she first met the renowned stylist Leonard Lewis, known as Leonard of Mayfair.
At the time, Lewis was searching for models to showcase his new crop haircut.
During a recent appearance on Jessie Ware’s podcast, ‘Table Manners,’ Twiggy disclosed that she never intended to go for a short hairstyle.
She recounted, ‘I went in to have it shampooed and set, and Leonard spotted me, saying, ‘Let me try my new haircut on you.’ I had been growing my hair, and for a moment, I hesitated, thinking, ‘I’m not sure about this haircut.’ But in that fancy salon, I felt too shy to refuse, so I just nodded.’
The next day, Twiggy returned to the salon, preparing herself for the transformation ahead.
She said with a laugh, ‘I went back the next day and spent seven hours in there, during which he cut my hair and then colored it, followed by another cut. It was quite the experience!’
Although the androgynous look wasn’t her goal, Twiggy quickly recognized why Lewis gained fame as a stylist.
Once her golden blonde crop was perfected, Lewis arranged for British photographer Barry Lategan to take photos of Twiggy.
Twiggy shared, ‘Leonard displayed my photos in the salon, where a journalist from the Daily Express, Deirdre McSharry, happened to see them while having her hair styled by him. That’s how everything began… When that haircut started, that photograph marked a crucial turning point.’
The pixie cut accentuated her large blue eyes, which she highlighted with mascara applied to her lower lashes.
In a discussion with Vogue, Twiggy elaborated on the inspiration for her wide-eyed look: ‘I was always experimenting with makeup at home. I had a rag doll with those spiky eyelashes, so I bought false lashes for myself and created what became my signature style.’
As a teenager, she often pushed boundaries by wearing makeup and miniskirts to mod clubs on Saturday nights, especially when she was free from her strict school environment.
She explained, ‘I attended a grammar school where uniforms were mandatory and makeup was prohibited. On weekends, my friends and I would engage in the same beauty rituals as most teenage girls, and that’s how my makeup style developed.’
This eye makeup became a key part of her iconic appearance.
Within weeks of the Daily Express shoot, numerous iconic black and white photographs showcasing her appeared in the publication, accompanied by the headline ‘Twiggy—The Face of 66’.
The following month, she participated in her first Vogue shoot, which set off a whirlwind of events in her life.
As the quintessential symbol of mod fashion, Twiggy became a role model for countless women, and at a young age, she was the inspiration for the Twiggy Barbie created by Mattel.
In the ensuing years, Twiggy’s name became closely associated with the innovative British designer Mary Quant, who changed fashion by introducing short hemlines that liberated women.
After just a few years in modeling, Twiggy stepped back in 1970 to pursue acting on stage and screen, as well as singing.
Her film credits include notable roles in ‘The Boy Friend’ (1971), earning her two Golden Globes, and ‘Club Paradise’ (1986), where she starred alongside the late Robin Williams.
Twiggy, who has also served as a judge on ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ collaborated with Marks & Spencer on a fashion line and appeared in several of their advertising campaigns.
In 2011, she released ‘Romantically Yours,’ an album featuring covers of songs such as ‘Blue Moon,’ ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me,’ and ‘Right Here Waiting,’ with her daughter, Carly Lawson, contributing as a guest vocalist on some tracks.
Continuing to stay relevant in fashion, the elegant Twiggy has served as an ambassador for L’Oreal and collaborates with various brands as a designer.
Currently, she is busy hosting her own podcast, ‘Tea with Twiggy,’ where she engages in candid discussions with her celebrity friends.
Despite her numerous accolades, Twiggy believes that her true measure of success lies in the strong bond she shares with her beloved daughter.
Following the death of her father, actor Michael Witney, when she was just five years old, Carly was brought up by Twiggy and her second husband, Leigh Lawson, whom she married in 1988.
Twiggy stated, ‘Family has always been my top priority. Even when Carly was younger, if something didn’t suit her, I wouldn’t pursue it.’ She added, ‘We did everything together, which is why we have such a close relationship now. Just the other day, she said, ‘I can’t remember a time when you weren’t by my side, Mum,’ and that reflects how present I was, even on my travels when she would often accompany me.’
Many women admire Twiggy for her ability to maintain that iconic pixie cut from the 1960s! She has always been, and remains, stunning!
What are your memories of the vibrant 1960s? What is the boldest hairstyle you have ever tried?
If you found Twiggy’s style evolution interesting, you might also enjoy seeing how Catherine Deneuve looks today, as she, too, rose to fame in the 1960s.
Check out how ‘America’s First Supermodel’ Cheryl Tiegs looks now, and see how Brigitte Bardot, who is currently 88, continues to look amazing.
