Twiggy
What era is this icon associated with, and what made their style distinctive?
Twiggy emerged during the revolutionary 1960s when London became the global fashion capital. Born Lesley Hornby in 1949, she embodied the decade’s radical departure from 1950s feminine ideals. Her androgynous appearance challenged traditional beauty standards with her boyish figure, cropped pixie haircut, and enormous eyes accentuated by dramatic makeup.
At just 16, she was discovered by hairdresser Nigel Davies who became her manager and boyfriend. Her distinctive look perfectly captured the youth rebellion of Swinging London. The nickname “Twiggy” came from her extremely thin frame, which became the new beauty ideal.
She represented the mod movement’s rejection of adult sophistication in favor of childlike innocence and geometric simplicity. Her style reflected the space age optimism and technological advancement that defined the era. Unlike previous decades where mature elegance dominated fashion, the 1960s celebrated youth culture.
Twiggy’s success marked the first time a teenager became an international fashion icon. Her look symbolized the decade’s fascination with the future while embracing a deliberately unfinished, almost amateur aesthetic that felt fresh and authentic.
At just 16, she was discovered by hairdresser Nigel Davies who became her manager and boyfriend. Her distinctive look perfectly captured the youth rebellion of Swinging London. The nickname “Twiggy” came from her extremely thin frame, which became the new beauty ideal.
She represented the mod movement’s rejection of adult sophistication in favor of childlike innocence and geometric simplicity. Her style reflected the space age optimism and technological advancement that defined the era. Unlike previous decades where mature elegance dominated fashion, the 1960s celebrated youth culture.
Twiggy’s success marked the first time a teenager became an international fashion icon. Her look symbolized the decade’s fascination with the future while embracing a deliberately unfinished, almost amateur aesthetic that felt fresh and authentic.
What clothing styles, designers, and fashion choices is this icon most known for?
Twiggy’s signature style centered on ultra-short minidresses, shift dresses, and geometric patterns that emphasized her stick-thin silhouette. She favored simple A-line shapes that skimmed her body without clinging, creating a clean, modern aesthetic. Her collaboration with designer Mary Quant produced many iconic pieces that defined 1960s fashion.
She frequently wore bold black and white patterns, op-art prints, and color-blocked designs that photographed dramatically in magazines. Her accessories were minimal but striking, including oversized plastic earrings, white go-go boots, and geometric handbags. Twiggy’s makeup became as famous as her clothes, featuring heavily lined eyes with painted lower lashes, pale lips, and dramatic false eyelashes that created her signature doe-eyed look.
She worked closely with photographer Barry Lategan and makeup artist Leonard Lewis to perfect her visual identity. Her wardrobe emphasized youth and playfulness with babydoll dresses, Peter Pan collars, and schoolgirl-inspired pieces. The geometric bob haircut by Leonard created her most recognizable feature, perfectly framing her angular face and emphasizing her large eyes.
She frequently wore bold black and white patterns, op-art prints, and color-blocked designs that photographed dramatically in magazines. Her accessories were minimal but striking, including oversized plastic earrings, white go-go boots, and geometric handbags. Twiggy’s makeup became as famous as her clothes, featuring heavily lined eyes with painted lower lashes, pale lips, and dramatic false eyelashes that created her signature doe-eyed look.
She worked closely with photographer Barry Lategan and makeup artist Leonard Lewis to perfect her visual identity. Her wardrobe emphasized youth and playfulness with babydoll dresses, Peter Pan collars, and schoolgirl-inspired pieces. The geometric bob haircut by Leonard created her most recognizable feature, perfectly framing her angular face and emphasizing her large eyes.
What are this icon’s most memorable fashion moments and cultural impact?
Twiggy’s most memorable fashion moment occurred in 1966 when she posed for Barry Lategan in a series of photographs that launched her international career. These images, featuring her in simple geometric dresses with her signature makeup and haircut, appeared on magazine covers worldwide within months. Her appearance on the cover of Vogue in 1967 marked the first time a working-class teenager achieved such fashion prominence.
She became the face of Yardley cosmetics, bringing mod makeup to mainstream consumers globally. Her 1967 visit to America created unprecedented media frenzy, with fans copying her style and department stores creating entire “Twiggy” sections. She appeared in countless fashion spreads wearing designs by Mary Quant, Foale and Tuffin, and other emerging London designers.
Her cultural impact extended beyond fashion when she starred in Ken Russell’s film “The Boy Friend” in 1971, showcasing her ability to embody different eras while maintaining her distinctive style. Television appearances and modeling campaigns throughout the late 1960s cemented her status as the decade’s definitive fashion icon.
She became the face of Yardley cosmetics, bringing mod makeup to mainstream consumers globally. Her 1967 visit to America created unprecedented media frenzy, with fans copying her style and department stores creating entire “Twiggy” sections. She appeared in countless fashion spreads wearing designs by Mary Quant, Foale and Tuffin, and other emerging London designers.
Her cultural impact extended beyond fashion when she starred in Ken Russell’s film “The Boy Friend” in 1971, showcasing her ability to embody different eras while maintaining her distinctive style. Television appearances and modeling campaigns throughout the late 1960s cemented her status as the decade’s definitive fashion icon.
How did this icon influence fashion trends and style movements?
Twiggy revolutionized fashion modeling by proving that unconventional beauty could achieve mainstream success. Her success opened doors for models who didn’t fit traditional standards, encouraging diversity in fashion representation. She popularized the androgynous look that influenced designers like Yves Saint Laurent, who created Le Smoking tuxedo for women partly inspired by the gender-neutral aesthetic Twiggy embodied.
Her influence on makeup trends was enormous, with millions of young women copying her painted lower lashes and pale lip look. The “Twiggy cut” became one of the most requested hairstyles of the decade, influencing hair fashion globally. Her success proved that youth culture could drive fashion trends rather than simply follow adult guidance.
She helped establish London as a serious fashion capital, competing with Paris and New York for international influence. Her modeling style, which appeared more natural and spontaneous than previous decades’ posed perfection, changed fashion photography forever. Department stores worldwide created special sections dedicated to her look, demonstrating her commercial impact.
Her influence on makeup trends was enormous, with millions of young women copying her painted lower lashes and pale lip look. The “Twiggy cut” became one of the most requested hairstyles of the decade, influencing hair fashion globally. Her success proved that youth culture could drive fashion trends rather than simply follow adult guidance.
She helped establish London as a serious fashion capital, competing with Paris and New York for international influence. Her modeling style, which appeared more natural and spontaneous than previous decades’ posed perfection, changed fashion photography forever. Department stores worldwide created special sections dedicated to her look, demonstrating her commercial impact.
What elements of this icon’s style continue to inspire contemporary fashion?
Contemporary fashion continues to reference Twiggy’s iconic 1960s aesthetic in multiple ways. High-fashion designers regularly create collections inspired by her mod sensibility, with brands like Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, and Saint Laurent featuring geometric prints and shift dress silhouettes reminiscent of her era. Her makeup look experiences regular revivals, particularly the dramatic eye makeup with painted lower lashes and nude lips.
Modern celebrities including Anya Taylor-Joy, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Stone have channeled Twiggy-inspired looks on red carpets and in fashion campaigns. The pixie haircut she popularized remains a timeless style choice, with contemporary variations appearing on fashion runways and in celebrity styling. Fashion photographers still reference her groundbreaking poses and the natural, unposed aesthetic she helped establish.
Her influence appears in modern minimalist fashion, where simple geometric shapes and clean lines echo her signature style. Vintage reproductions of 1960s mod dresses specifically reference her look, while contemporary sustainable fashion brands often cite her timeless geometric aesthetic. Beauty brands regularly launch retro-inspired makeup collections that directly reference her signature eye makeup techniques and overall fresh-faced approach to beauty.
Modern celebrities including Anya Taylor-Joy, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Stone have channeled Twiggy-inspired looks on red carpets and in fashion campaigns. The pixie haircut she popularized remains a timeless style choice, with contemporary variations appearing on fashion runways and in celebrity styling. Fashion photographers still reference her groundbreaking poses and the natural, unposed aesthetic she helped establish.
Her influence appears in modern minimalist fashion, where simple geometric shapes and clean lines echo her signature style. Vintage reproductions of 1960s mod dresses specifically reference her look, while contemporary sustainable fashion brands often cite her timeless geometric aesthetic. Beauty brands regularly launch retro-inspired makeup collections that directly reference her signature eye makeup techniques and overall fresh-faced approach to beauty.