Twiggy (1949–)

The original supermodel (see entry under 1980s—Fashion in volume 5), in the late 1960s, Twiggy (born Lesley Hornby) became an icon (a symbol) of "Swinging London" and gained international fame. Her image filled the fashion magazines, and she even had a Barbie doll (see entry under 1950s—Commerce in volume 3) designed in her likeness. In the 1950s, women like Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962; see entry under 1950s—Film and Theater in volume 3) traded on their full figures and mature sexuality. In contrast, Twiggy's big-eyed skinny boyishness was virtually sexless. Her slender figure was a major break from earlier versions of femininity. Twiggy was the essence of groovy Britishness in the 1960s, but her influence has also been blamed for the growth of eating disorders among young women. Her ninety-one-pound frame became an unrealistic dieting target for weight-conscious women the world over.

Twiggy appeared in several films in the 1970s and also had several hit records in the United Kingdom. The look she began remains an influence on the fashion industry in the twenty-first century. In 2001, Twiggy herself made occasional appearances on British television and promoted her own line of skin-care products.

—Chris Routledge

For More Information

Twiggy. Twiggy: How I Probably Just Came Along on a White Rabbit at the Right Time, and Met the Smile on the Face of the Tiger. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1968.

Twiggy Lawson's Official Site.http://www.twiggylawson.co.uk (accessed March 14, 2002).