Twiggy: Difference between revisions
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| caption = ''Young Twiggy'' |
| caption = ''Young Twiggy'' |
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| birthname = Lesley |
| birthname = Lesley Hornby |
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| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1949|9|19}} |
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1949|9|19}} |
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| location = {{Flagicon|UK}} [[Neasden]], [[London]], [[England]] |
| location = {{Flagicon|UK}} [[Neasden]], [[London]], [[England]] |
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| eyecolor = Blue |
| eyecolor = Blue |
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| measurements = 32-23-32 |
| measurements = 32-23-32 |
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| weight = |
| weight = 6½ stone |
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| homepage = http://twiggylawson.co.uk/ |
| homepage = http://twiggylawson.co.uk/ |
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Revision as of 21:28, 2 May 2007
Twiggy | |
|---|---|
 Young Twiggy | |
| Born | Lesley Hornby |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Website | 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. Twiggy went on to star in movies, and is currently a judge in the reality show, America's Next Top Model.
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.
Model
In 1966, Nigel Davies noticed the young Lesley Hornby working in a hair salon and offered her a modelling contract. She was only sixteen and weighed 6½ stone (91 lbs).[1] He told her to use her childhood nickname, Twiggy, and renamed himself Justin de Villeneuve.
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (April 2007) |
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 revolutionised the world of fashion. Whereas women 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.
Twiggy was regarded as the face of 1960s Swinging London, along with other models such as Celia Hammond.
Life after modeling
After four years of modelling, 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.
Twiggy married the American actor, Michael Witney in 1977. They had one daughter, Carly, born in 1978. That marriage ended with his sudden death in 1983 from a heart attack. She met Leigh Lawson on the film Madame Sousatzka, and married him in 1988. They reside in London.
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 modelling, fronting a major new TV, press and billboard campaign for Marks & Spencer, a British 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.
Miscellany
Their are several versions of how Lesley Hornby came to be known as 'Twiggy.' Some have said that the name 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.[2] However, on Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, on an episode airing April 4, 2007, Twiggy herself stated the name 'Twiggy' evolved from when her friend called her 'Twiggy' at a photo shoot in reference to her skinny legs, and the photographer commented that if she went into modelling seriously, that Twiggy would be a great name. She mentioned this to explain to the aspiring models that a stand-out, recognisable name was important in the modelling world.
Twiggy supports breast cancer research and animal welfare.[3]
Marilyn Manson's guitarist, Twiggy Ramirez chose his name because of her.
Zeyed Ahmed nicknamed himself after her.
Appearances
- 1967 Mattel issued a 'Twiggy Barbie'
- 1971 Film debut as an extra in Ken Russell's "The Devils"
- 1971 First leading role in features as Polly in Ken Russell's adaptation of Sandy Wilson's pastiche of 1920s musicals "The Boy Friend"; initial collaboration with Tommy Tune
- 1974 Made West End stage debut in "Cinderella"
- 1974 Made second feature, the thriller "W / I Want Her Dead"; co-starred with future husband Michael Whitney
- 1974 Hosted own British TV series, "Twiggs" (later renamed "Twiggy")
- 1980 Made cameo appearance in "The Blues Brothers"
- 1981 Starred as Eliza Doolittle opposite Robert Powell in Yorkshire TV production of "Pygmalion"
- 1983 Broadway debut in the musical, "My One and Only", starring and co-staged by Tune; earned a Tony nomination
- 1987 Played a vaudeville performer in the British TV special "The Little Match Girl"
- 1988 Had supporting role in "Madame Sousatzka", opposite second husband Leigh Lawson
- 1989 Cast as Hannah Chaplin, mother to Charles, in the British TV-movie "Young Charlie Chaplin"; aired in US on PBS' "Wonderworks"
- 1991 Co-starred in the ill-fated CBS sitcom "Princesses"
- 1997 Acted in London stage revival of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit"
- 1998 Played Gertrude Lawrence in the biographical stage musical "Noel and Gertie" at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, Long Island
- 1999 Returned to New York stage as Lawrence in Off-Broadway production "If Love Were All", a revised version of "Noel and Gertie", directed by Lawson; what set this edition apart were its tap numbers in period style; starred opposite Harry Groener as Coward
- 2001 Co-hosted the English magazine program "This Morning"
Filmography
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Television
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Recordings
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References
- ^ Cheever, Susan (May 1983). Twiggy. New York Times. Accessed 2007-04-17.
- ^ Slater, Lydia (2004-03-22). "Seminal Supermodel", Evening Standard
- ^ Fox, Sue (2004-05-30). "A Life in the Day: Twiggy", The Sunday Times
External links
- Twiggy Official Site
- Twiggy at IMDb
- Template:Tvtome person
- Fashion Windows: Twiggy - from an article by Dorothee Werner