I DON’T THINK ABOUT AGEING
From her big break as a model at just 16 to becoming a star of stage and screen, Twiggy has never gone out of style
SHE will forever be known as the face of the 60s.
But in the five decades since she first found fame as the elfin-faced muse with big eyes and long lashes, Twiggy has remarkably never fallen out of fashion.
Discovered at just 16, she retired from modelling after four years but went on to become an award-winning film and stage actress, release her own album and appear as a judge on America’s Next Top Model.
More recently, Twiggy has successfully turned to
design, with a clothing and accessories ranges for Marks & Spencer and Specsavers.
Now 68, she’s at ease in her own skin and not bothered about ageing.
She said: “I don’t think about my age or ageing.
“I know people can get depressed about being a certain age but I don’t see the point of that. There’s nothing you can do about it and you can’t stop time passing, so you might as well celebrate it.
“As long as you’ve got your health, that’s the most important thing.
“I also feel very lucky to be doing the things I love and to have a lovely family. I feel as happy now as I was in my 20s.”
Twiggy thinks that young girls today are much more confident when she was at that age.
The star, who was born Lesley Hornby, said: “Compared with today’s 16-year-olds – who appear so confident and grown-up – I was so shy, naive and unworldly.
“I was this funny little kid that was obsessed with fashion, who suddenly had to grow up quite quickly.
“Deep down, there’s still a little part of that girl within me, but I’m very different and much more confident now.
“It’s amazing to me that there’s still this fascination with the 60s era. I get fan mail from teenagers all over the world who are obsessed with the period. Perhaps because it was a time of such social change.
“As far as I know, I was the first working-class model. Until then, it was only girls from posh or middle-class families.
“I never expected to become famous, so when it happened (literally overnight), I was as shocked as anybody else.
“Suddenly – within three months – I was in Paris, working with American Vogue and Elle. People like Sonny and Cher were throwing parties for me, with Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen as guests. It was extraordinary.” Many stars have come forward to say they were exploited or abused by men during their careers. But Twiggy said: “I do often think it’s amazing I got through it all unscathed. I never, ever had anything inappropriate happen. “I think that was thanks to my wonderful dad Norman, who was from Bolton and whom I trusted and adored. When I suddenly got this overnight fame (by being named in a newspaper as the ‘face’ of 1966) he let me leave school to model but insisted I couldn’t go to photoshoots or jobs on my own. My boyfriend became my manager, so he accompanied me everywhere.
“I have quite a good right hook but luckily I never had to use it.
“Even though I wasn’t confident, I had this feistiness – an inner core that was strong. A hugely famous photographer once asked me to cut off my fringe – my hairstyle was such a big part of my look – and, although I was nervous inside, I stood my ground and refused. That was quite brave at the time.”
The biggest change in her life came 40 years ago with the birth of daughter Carly, whom she has a fashion line with. Twiggy dotes on Carly’s three-year-old daughter Joni.
She added: “Carly was my priority over my career. If doing a certain job didn’t work for her, I didn’t do it. Becoming a grandmother has been a life-changer. I also have my step-grandchildren to love and enjoy.” ●Twiggy for Aurora, exclusive to Specsavers. Visit specsavers.co.uk
I have quite a good right hook but luckily I never had to use it