Taking risks, experiencing the unfamiliar and pushing boundaries never grows old so, as part of a new digital series, we're celebrating adventure at every age. Every month, we speak to a different woman who embodies that sense of adventure, and next up is Twiggy.
The original British supermodel, working-class Leslie Hornby was just 16 when she became Twiggy, the defining face of the 1960s. Photographs of her with a pixie crop and spider-like eyelashes have come to represent swinging London, but her career goes far beyond modelling. A master of reinvention, she made it in Hollywood, winning two Golden Globes for her acting performance in Ken Russell’s adaptation of the musical 'The Boy Friend'. She also had her own TV show, on which she interviewed guests including Bryan Ferry and Bing Crosby. In 1983, Twiggy made her Broadway debut in 'My One And Only', which landed her a Tony nomination. She also recorded music, most famously the song ‘Here I Go Again’, and, in her 60s, turned fashion designer, creating multiple collections for M&S. 'Twiggy', a new documentary directed by Sadie Frost, is an upbeat portrayal of a life lived fully and a lesson in always remaining open to what’s ahead. Here, she shares what she has learnt about adventure.
I’m very fortunate to live in a world where I have been offered so many interesting things to do (I’ve also been offered lots of things that I didn't want to do, and I’ve said no to those). You have to follow your heart. I was so young when it all began that it was overwhelming, but also incredibly exciting. I’d grown up in a happy home in Neasden in London with my mum, dad and two sisters. I was the youngest, so I was probably spoilt. I loved school, I was one of those kids who really enjoyed themselves. Initially, the aim was to go to art school and become a fashion designer, but the secret dream was to become a model. At that time, working-class girls like me didn’t become models, only posh girls did that, so it remained a dream I kept to myself. I didn’t look like models of that era so I never considered going to an agency.
When it all happened for me I was as surprised as everyone else. One minute I was at school, the next minute the journalist Deirdre McSharry had hailed me the Face of '66 in The Express. That's when it all began. I have a lot to thank her for; she was very brave in featuring my picture because no one looked like me in fashion, but perhaps that’s why what happened to me happened. I was different. Fashion is always looking for the next new thing and I became it.
When I met the legendary American fashion editor Diana Vreeland not long after, things took off in an even bigger way. I was famous in England already, but it was Diana who turned me global! The most powerful woman in fashion, what she said was law: if she described you as the model of the moment, then everyone sat up and listened. She introduced me to Richard Avedon, who I think was the greatest photographer of that era, and that was it! Diana Vreeland changed my life.
Four years later at the ancient age of 21, I quit fashion for acting. This was because when I was 18 when I met Ken Russell, who was then the biggest film director in England. At that point, I had no intention of leaving modelling and no ambition to become an actor or performer. I simply hadn’t thought about it; I was at the height of my modelling career at that time. But, meeting Ken opened up new experiences. He was quite an extraordinary human being. We initially talked about a project that didn’t happen, and became friends. One dinner together with his wife, the idea came up of doing a new version of the musical comedy The Boy Friend. Ken had had a few glasses of champagne, and he told me he’d love for me to play the lead, Polly Brown. I went home and dismissed it because he really had drank a lot of champagne, but then he called me the next day to discuss further. It took a year to get up and running because the American film studios were nervous about casting me as the star; I’d only ever modelled, never acted or danced. Ken said he wouldn’t do it without me, and eventually got the green light. Filming was a wonderful experience and I learned so much from Ken. I won two Golden Globes: Best Newcomer and Best Actress in a Musical. I’m very proud of them and they remain on my mantlepiece.
Ken was the third person after Diana Vreeland and Deirdre McSharry to change my life. They gave me the opportunity to try new things. I don’t believe people when they say you can plan your career in showbusiness. You can’t. You don’t know what opportunities might come your way. You don’t know what you might say yes to, or how well that thing might do. I was nervous about acting, but I trusted Ken and I knew I’d be fool to pass up the experience. What a chance in life; sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and work at it. I’m a hard worker when it’s something I really want to do, so I learnt how to sing and dance. I’d do eight hours of lessons a day and it paid off.
Off the back of the success of The Boy Friend, I was given a TV series and a music recording contract. My career switched gears. In life, one thing often leads to another; doing the film gave me the confidence to do Broadway. I was scared of performing in front of a live audience, but I did it. The show, My One and Only, was a huge success. It ran on Broadway for 18 months and I was nominated for a Tony award. In my experience, the best way to overcome a fear is to do it, and I grew to love stage acting. Trying something new is always a good idea. Go for what you want – you’ll always regret it if you don’t try.
Another passion of mine is designing and making clothes and, over the years, I’ve had the great pleasure in designing several very successful fashion collections in the UK, America and Japan. I would love to do more. During the Covid pandemic, I started doing a podcast, Tea with Twiggy, where I chat with friends and people I admire. It was a new venture for me and became an ongoing success. It was while chatting to Sadie Frost on my podcast that the idea of doing a documentary film of my life came up. The film, Twiggy, had its premiere in the West End in March before going on general release in the UK. I’m happy to say it has received wonderful reviews. It is now opening in various countries around the world.
One of the most exciting days of my life was being given a Damehood by the-then Prince of Wales, now King Charles. I was deeply honoured and it was completely unexpected.
My career has been one very big adventure, but motherhood has altered my perception of everything. When I had Carly, everything changed – all of a sudden, she became the most precious thing in my world. Motherhood is a wonderful journey; hard work, fulfilling and I love every minute of time I spend with my daughter. I’m now blessed with grandchildren and that’s a whole other thing. I’ve had my ups and downs, but Carly was my reason to be – my strength really – and that was what saw me through.
Your home life is the bedrock for everything else. If that’s stable, then everything else is easier. I was 35 when I finally met the actor Leigh Lawson, who is also a writer, director and poet. We fell in love and we’ve now been together for 40 years. I am lucky to be blessed with him, my daughter and now grandchildren. To have strength, security and love at home is a huge help. It could be a sibling, it could be a friend, but we can’t do it alone.
As told to Ella Alexander.
