Works Cited

 “fashion.” TWIGGY. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://www.twiggylawson.co.uk/‌fashion.html>.

TWIGGY. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://www.twiggylawson.co.uk/>.

“Twiggy.” Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Twiggy>.

Success/ Twiggy Today

Returning to modeling in 2005, Twiggy joined reality television show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ as one of the judges, led by Tyra Banks, in Cycles Five, Six and Seven. Twiggy featured in a major press, television, and billboard campaign for a UK dept store chain Marks & Spencer, modeling clothes for older women. She played a huge role in designing clothes for women her age. Twiggy played Mrs. Minola in David Richards’ television film ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ 2005, based on the Shakespeare play of the same name. A year later, she played herself as a 19-year-old in radio play BBC’s ‘Elevenses with Twiggy’ in 2006 in their ‘Afternoon Play’ series. Adding to her collection of talents, she started a clothing line for the Spring/Summer 2006, called the “Twiggy Collection” and sold through the online shopping portal, Great Universal. Working closely with the M&S design team, Twiggy has created a
co-ordinated range of chic, modern, stylish pieces, interpreting the latest catwalk trends as well as using favorite contemporary and timeless key pieces for inspiration. She wants her customers to enjoy being inspired on how to wear the looks and how to create glamorous, modern outfits that are confident and aspirational.This timeless beauty, a legendary supermodel, pleasing actress, talented singer and author – is also a humanitarian. She is a supporter of breast cancer research groups, animal welfare and is a fervent anti fur campaigner. One of most famous models of her time, Twiggy is a living legend. Graceful and elegant, she continues to explore her talents with reverberating success.

Rise to Fame

The world’s first supermodel, Twiggy became internationally known, modeling extensively in France, Japan and America, in 1967. Twiggy enjoyed a year’s modeling contract with Woman’s Mirror, an Australian magazine. Always dressed in the latest fashion, she willingly attended all of London’s trendy parties and public events. Despite being somewhat flighty and giggly, her cockney accent and disarming sense of humor merely made her more appealing to the public. Her boyish, skinny features made her instantly different from other models of her time and were perfectly fitted to the 1960s rising hemlines and bold shapes of mod fashion. Seeing how she impacted such success in the fashion world, de Villeneuve suggested she try singing and acting as well. Twiggy recorded her debut album, ‘Beautiful Dreams’ in 1967, with Mercury Records UK. It won numerous awards, including a silver disc for sales in excess of 150,000 copies and included her hit ‘Here I Go Again’, which reached number 17 on the UK charts. It seemed this rising star could do no wrong. Twiggy was in Peter Clifton’s music documentary ‘Popcorn’ in 1969, that included rare interviews and weird footage of stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, the Bee Gees, Mick Jagger and Otis Reading. She then met iconic film director Ken Russell in 1970 and he encouraged her to turn her talents to film, but to hone them by studying voice, acting and dance. He cast her as an extra in his horror film ‘The Devils’ in 1971, that starred Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed. Twiggy made her lead role debut as Polly Browne in Russell’s romantic musical, ‘The Boy Friend’ in 1971, set in the 1920s and adapted from the original theatre production. Her performance won her two Golden Globe awards, Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and for New Female Star of the Year. To correspond with the film release, MGM produced a DJ LP for radio stations. It featured excerpts from the film soundtrack, as well as an interview with Twiggy from a Hollywood press conference. In 1977, Twiggy married American actor and former baseball player, Michael Witney. He was her co-star from ‘W’ in 1974. They were wed at the Richmond registry office, had their honeymoon in Sardinia. Their daughter, Carly, was born in 1978. Their marriage shortly ended after six years. At the age of 51, Witney died of a heart attack. Throughout the 1980’s, Twiggy continued to act and do films and television in both the US and the UK.  Returning to modeling in 2005, Twiggy joined reality television show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ as one of the judges, led by Tyra Banks, in Cycles Five, Six and Seven.

Childhood Life

Lesley Hornby was born September 19, 1949 in Neasden, a London suburb.Twiggy was part of a middle class family; she had a normal childhood during the 1950’s. Her famliy believed strongly in being tightly bonded, having dinner together atleast once a week. She was the third daughter of Helen Lydia Hornby, a factory worker for a printing firm, and William Norman Hornby, a master carpenter and joiner. Their first daughter, Shirley, was born fifteen years earlier; their second, Vivien, had been born seven years earlier.Twiggy’s mother taught her to sew at an early age, and she used this skill to make her own clothing throughout life. She attended the Brondesbury and Kilburn High School in Salusbury Road Kilburn, where she began modeling at age 15. At school, Twiggy endured endless taunts about her slight frame, which earned her such names as "Sticks" and "Twigs". Twiggy dropped out of high school and sooner after got her first job as an assistant in a hair salon, there she met Nigel Davies, the brother of her co-worker. They began seeing each other, much to the disapproval of her parents as he was 10 years older than her. Under his influence, he helped to make her the face of the 1960's in London.