Twiggy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Young Twiggy
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| Birthplace |  Neasden, London, England |
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| Hair | Blonde |
| Eyes | Blue |
| Birthdate | September 19, 1949 (age 57) |
| Measurements | 32 - 23 - 32 |
| Height | 5 ft. 6 in. |
| Weight | 91 pounds |
| Official Site | http://twiggylawson.co.uk/ |
Twiggy (born Lesley Hornby September 19, 1949) is an English supermodel, actress, and singer, now also known by her married name of Twiggy Lawson. A 1960's pop icon known for her big eyes, long eyelashes, and thin build, she is regarded as one of the most famous models of her time.
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[edit] Early Life
Twiggy was born in the London suburb of Neasden to William Norman, a master carpenter, and Helen Hornby, a counter girl at Woolworth's.
[edit] Superstar Model
While working in a hair salon in 1966, Nigel Davies noticed the young Lesley Hornby and picked her up to be a model. She was only sixteen and weighed 91 lbs.[1] [2]. He then renamed her Twiggy, and renamed himself Justin de Villeneuve.
Twiggy was regarded as the face of 1960s Swinging London, along with other models such as Celia Hammond.
She first arrived in New York in March, 1967 to concerns that the Twiggy craze would die down within a month; however, Twiggy became an instant icon and supermodel.
Known for the high fashion mod look created by Mary Quant, Twiggy revolutionized the world of fashion. Whereas womens' fashion models were previously more full-figured with traditionally feminine hairstyles, Twiggy became famous for her slender, short-haired androgynous look. Her style, particularly her extremely thin body, has since dominated the runways for forty years.
[edit] Life After Modeling
After four years of modeling, Twiggy retired, claiming "You can't be a clothes hanger for your entire life!"
She embarked on an award-winning acting and singing career, including Ken Russell's 1971 film version of Sandy Wilson's musical, The Boy Friend, for which she won two Golden Globe Awards. Since then she has played a variety of roles on stage and screen, including My One and Only and as Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, opposite Robert Powell, in a 1981 television production.
Her first marriage, to the American actor, Michael Witney, ended with his sudden death from a heart attack. In 1988, she met Leigh Lawson on the film Madame Sousatzka, and later married him.
In 2005, Twiggy joined the cast of the TV show America's Next Top Model' as one of four permanent judges. She also returned to modeling, fronting a major new TV, press and billboard campaign for Marks & Spencer, the UK department store chain. In 2006, she portrayed herself as a nineteen year-old in the radio play Elevenses with Twiggy for BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Play series.
[edit] Miscellany
The name 'Twiggy' comes from Lesley's adolescent nickname 'Twigs', a reference to her eyelashes, not her legs. In photoshoots the make-up artist would draw lines underneath her lashes, that looked like twigs. Tyra Banks mentioned this in Cycle 5 of America's Next Top Model, when Twiggy first became a judge for the series. [3]
Twiggy supports breast cancer research and animal welfare.[4]
Twiggy is best pals with fellow top London model Erin O'Connor. In a recent interview, Twiggy commented that Erin was a "smasher."
Marilyn Manson's guitarist, Twiggy Ramirez chose his name because of her.
[edit] Filmography
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[edit] TV work
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[edit] Recordings
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[edit] References
- ^ Werner, Dorthy, <http://www.geocities.com/FashionAvenue/1122/fashion_forecast/twiggy/index.html>
- ^ Cheever, Susan, <http://www.nytimes.com/specials/magazine4/articles/twiggy.html>
- ^ Slater, Lydia (2004-03-22). "Seminal Supermodel", Evening Standard
- ^ Fox, Sue (2004-05-30). "A Life in the Day: Twiggy", The Sunday Times
[edit] External links
| America's Next Top Model |
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| Judges and personnel |
| Janice Dickinson | Twiggy | Tyra Banks | Nigel Barker | J. Alexander | Jay Manuel | Beau Quillian |
| Cycles and winners |
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Please see individual cycle articles for additional contestants |
| Mods |
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| Music |
| 2 Tone • Acid Jazz • Beat music • Blue-eyed soul • Blue Beat • British Invasion • Britpop • Freakbeat • Garage rock • Jazz • Mod Revival • Modern soul • Motown • Northern Soul • Power Pop • Psychedelic rock • Reggae • RnB • Rocksteady • Soul music • Ska • Stax Records • Trojan Records • White soul |
| Clothing |
| Ben Sherman • Bespoke tailoring • Brogues • Carnaby Street • Fred Perry • Harrington • Levi's • Loafers • Parka • Sta-Prest • Suit |
| Other topics |
| 1960s • Blowup • Casuals • Great Britain • Pete Meaden • Mods & Rockers • Pop art • Quadrophenia (film) • Rockers • Roundel • Scooter (Lambretta / Vespa) • Scooterboy • Skinhead • Suedehead • Swinging London • Speed (drug) • Subculture • Teddy Boy • Twisted Wheel • Union Jack • UK subcultures • Youth culture |
| Persondata | |
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| NAME | Twiggy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Model, Actress, Singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 19, 1949 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Neasden, London, England |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
