This English fashion icon, who set trends in the 1960s with her distinctive look and became a symbol of the era, remains as elegant as ever in her 70s. Today, fans are still in awe of her as she shows that true fashion never fades with age.
On September 19, 1949, this model, actress, and producer was born. By the time the ’60s rolled by, she was ready to revolutionize the fashion industry with her distinctive look and instantly recognizable style.
Her slim figure, pixie haircut, and striking eyes made her a global sensation and a symbol of a new era in modeling. Decades later, her influence still resonates in the fashion world, and fans are excited about how she has carried her iconic image into her 70s, maintaining the charm and elegance that first captivated the world.
Far from slowing down, she remains active in her personal and professional life, embracing her age gracefully. The star often engages in various pursuits, including appearances on television, fashion collaborations, and public speaking.
In September 2023, she collaborated with Vogue to recreate her Bert Stern original Vogue shoot from 1967. Despite her age, she flawlessly nailed the look as she noted, ” Everything came full circle for me in that moment.”
Fans immediately took to the comments section to share their thoughts. One wrote, “The most iconic of all the supermodels.” Another fan went down memory lane, writing, “I remember I was in 12th grade and did lower lash draw in and my sister got the short twiggy hair cut. You look amazing still. ❤️”
As she maintains a vibrant lifestyle, her passion for fashion and zest for life remains as strong as ever. Fans are also excited about her journey through the decades, which showcases a fascinating evolution of style that began in the vibrant 1960s.
A Look Back: From the ’60s to Now
The model burst onto the fashion scene in the 1960s, becoming the face of a new era with her slim figure, short blonde hair, big eyes, and androgynous style.
Discovered as a teenager, she quickly became an international sensation, embodying the youthful spirit of the decade. Her unique look broke the mold of traditional beauty standards, making her a trailblazer and a cultural icon.
1960s: The Rise of a Supermodel
In the 1960s, her boyish figure, dramatic eyelashes, and pixie haircut set her apart from the curvier models of the time. She became the embodiment of the “mod” look.
Her influence extended beyond modeling; She became a symbol of the changing attitudes toward women’s fashion, representing freedom and youth.
1970s: Expanding Horizons
As the 1970s rolled in, she transitioned from modeling to acting and singing, showcasing her versatility. She embraced the era’s trends and showcased a softer, more natural look.
Her style evolved to reflect the laid-back vibe of the decade while still maintaining her unique edge. By 1977, her career flourished as an actress.
She became known as a Broadway star, and her family and personal life also thrived. It was that year that she married American actor Michael Whitney.
1980s: Family Life and More
The star and her husband welcomed a daughter. Sadly, by April 1983, when their daughter was four, the couple had become estranged. In September of that year, she lost her husband as he collapsed in a Manhattan restaurant due to a heart attack.
At the time of his death, she was going on stage to perform her hit musical “My One and Only,” and was not told the sad news until she finished her set.
Despite her loss, the model and actress’s fashion sense also matured. She adopted more classic and sophisticated styles while reflecting the decade’s trends.
1990s: Effortless Style in a Grunge Era
The 1990s saw her still ruling the fashion world. She embraced the minimalist and grunge trends of the era, often seen in simple, chic outfits. From plaids to scarves, the model showed versatility with her looks.
She also loved her high-waisted and skinny jeans. Over the years, she proved her timeless appeal and adaptability.
2000s: Reinventing the Icon
In the 2000s, she continued to reinvent herself, embracing the fashion trends of the new millennium. She balanced modern styles with a nod to her iconic past, often wearing sleek silhouettes, statement accessories, and bold patterns.
The model remained a fixture in fashion, taking on roles as a judge alongside Tyra Banks on shows like “America’s Next Top Model,” where she influenced a new generation of aspiring models.
2010s: Embracing Timeless Elegance
As she entered her 60s, her style evolved into a timeless and elegant one. She often opted for tailored outfits and refined accessories, showcasing a sophisticated look that was true to her playful spirit.
She continued to make public appearances, captivating audiences with her graceful aging and ongoing contribution to the fashion world. In this decade, she noted her style hadn’t changed much.
When planning her looks, she tended to start from her feet up. This is because her footwear depends on how much walking she’d be doing, which automatically helps her decide what to wear.
Before the decade ended, she received the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire award for her services to fashion, the arts, and charity in 2019.
2020s: Aging with Grace and Style
Now in her 70s, her style reflects a confident embrace of her age. She favors comfortable yet stylish clothing, often seen in chic blazers and classic colors.
While she maintains the iconic short hair, her makeup is softer, highlighting her natural beauty. Her look today blends the classic and the contemporary, demonstrating that style is ageless.
From the bold, youthful looks of the 1960s to her sophisticated style today, this icon’s fashion journey is a testament to her ability to adapt and evolve. She has transitioned seamlessly through the decades, each phase of her life marked by a distinct yet recognizable style.
While her look has matured, her essence remains unchanged — she continues to inspire with her timeless beauty, proving that true style is not about following trends but staying true to oneself.
Over the years, the model and actress born Lesley Hornby, famously known as Twiggy, has embraced a natural approach to aging, choosing to forgo cosmetic procedures like Botox in favor of aging gracefully.
She has spoken candidly about her decision, expressing that she values authenticity and feels no pressure to alter her appearance. Her choice to embrace her natural beauty sets her apart in an industry often obsessed with youth.
In 2016, she revealed, “I haven’t had plastic surgery but, if I ever felt the need, I would find a very, very good surgeon. I would never use Botox because, in my mind, it’s poison.”
Her natural approach to aging doesn’t just define her personal life — it’s also a key part of her enduring influence in fashion. Regarding her wardrobe, she prefers cobalt blue, purple, and orange while staying away from yellows because of her skin tone.
Twiggy’s natural approach to aging is a refreshing reminder that confidence and self-love are timeless. She also knows how to care for herself despite remarking that she’s low maintenance.
She swears by pilates, an exercise recommended by her osteopath after she suffered a bad back. Now that she’s a grandmother, Twiggy also knows how to relax. She does this with a glass of wine, preferably a Rose, especially during summer.
Irrespective of what she does, Twiggy once mentioned that she never goes on a diet. However, she’s mindful of what she eats and drinks lots of water.
Twiggy exemplifies what it means to age gracefully — staying true to her iconic image while evolving with poise and elegance. Her journey is a reminder that style is about celebrating who you are at every stage of life.
Our Granddaughter Called Us Stingy Because of Her Wedding Gift from Us
This time, we sent an air fryer to our youngest granddaughter, the cheapest thing on her registry. Eloise called us, livid, accusing us of being cheap. I remember picking up her call and she didn’t even say hi, she just started ranting, “Seriously, Grandma? I just got your gift. An air fryer? That’s the cheapest thing you could find on my registry!”
I was taken aback because as much as the air fryer was the cheapest on their registry, I still thought it’d be useful to them, so I told her that. Eloise kept on complaining, “Useful? Come on, you know you can do better than that. Everyone knows you have the money. I just can’t believe you’d be this cheap with me. It’s embarrassing.”
In this heated moment, I told her, “Yes, you’re right. We are cheap, old, and useless. The only thing you DIDN’T know is that the day before the wedding, we were going to gift you a check for $40,000.”
I revealed this in an attempt to explain to Eloise about the cash gift we usually give our grandkids before the wedding but she was so angry at this point, that she wasn’t listening to a thing I said. I speculated that maybe she didn’t believe we would gift her such an amount of money after only buying her an air fryer.
Eventually, she said, “No, it’s clear. You just don’t love me enough to show it. You know how much pressure I’m under with the wedding. And then, this? It’s like you don’t even care,” then she hung up.
Despite my husband and I’s shock at Eloise’s reaction, we then bought her a China set, hoping to appease her, but decided against giving her the $40,000, feeling she hadn’t earned it.
Fast forward to last week. Eloise talked to her brother and found out that we were telling her the truth about the money. After confirming it with her cousins, she, called again, accusing us of discrimination, “I just found out that it’s true you gave the money to everyone else when they got married. Why didn’t I get anything?”
We stood firm, explaining our stance was due to her initial reaction, “We felt after your reaction to the wedding gift, it wasn’t right to go ahead and gift you the money.” Eloise pleaded trying to convince us otherwise, “So, you’re punishing me? Is that it? Because I was upset about an air fryer?”
I was angry that she didn’t even understand what she did wrong. “It wasn’t about the air fryer, Eloise. It was how you spoke to us, the disrespect. That’s not something we expected or can support,” I explained.
Eloise implored us, nearly in tears, “But that’s so unfair! I was stressed, Grandma. Planning a wedding is hard, and I just snapped. I didn’t mean any of it.” I felt like she should have only apologized to us instead of finding excuses to justify her behavior.
However, I told her, “We understand that it’s a stressful time, but actions and words have consequences. We hoped you’d understand the value of family and love over material things.” Full of desperation, Eloise added, “But you don’t understand! Can’t we just forget all this happened? I need that money, Grandma.”
She pleaded, threatened to boycott Christmas, and accused us of cutting her off but we didn’t budge. In the end, I expressed, “We love you very much. This has nothing to do with cutting you off. We just hope you’ll reflect on this and understand why we made our decision.”
Now, Eloise has followed up on her threat and she’s boycotting Christmas. Her mother, who is our daughter-in-law, is siding with her, calling us unreasonable. However, we feel that after all we have done for Eloise, the air fryer gift, shouldn’t have triggered this reaction.
For context, we had already paid for her college, and her parents covered her graduate school and half the wedding. Additionally, she and her husband are financially comfortable and do not desperately need our money.
We’re also not upset with our grandkids for revealing the cash gift since she is among the group of family members who are allowed to know about it. Our reason for sending the air fryer earlier was that we live far away, so we always send our gifts early.
The wedding gift is also separate from the money, which we give with the hope it will be used for something significant, like a home. Now, we feel like the action we took towards Eloise was well deserved and we are not going back on our decisions even if she and her mom threaten to do their worst.
Despite the tumultuous events and Eloise’s refusal to understand our perspective, my husband and I stand by our decision. Love and respect in our family are paramount, and we hoped this situation would be a learning experience for her.
The holidays might be quieter this year with her family’s absence, but our hope is for healing and understanding in the future. Our door and hearts remain open to Eloise, whenever she’s ready to mend fences.
Want more like this? Click here to read about a grandmother who sparked controversy online because she doesn’t bring her grandchildren gifts when she visits.
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