A Look at Legendary Model Twiggy Today at 76

Some of the most iconic looks in fashion history were never planned—and Twiggy’s unmistakable pixie cut is proof of that. With her delicate features and striking blue eyes, the British model elevated a short, cropped hairstyle into a cultural symbol, one that has been copied and reimagined for decades. Yet behind the confident image was a young woman who never intended to make such a bold transformation in the first place.

Although she went on to redefine beauty standards with her youthful, androgynous appearance, Twiggy has since admitted that the haircut which defined the Swinging Sixties wasn’t something she actively wanted. Instead, she found herself agreeing out of shyness, reluctant to contradict a celebrated stylist while seated in an elegant Mayfair salon. What felt like a small, uncomfortable moment would soon become one of fashion’s most defining turning points.

As she marked her 77th birthday on September 19, fans were invited to revisit the era when Twiggy first inspired the baby-doll aesthetic that continues to influence style today. Back in the early 1960s, before fame arrived, she was simply Lesley Hornby—a British teenager hoping to break into modeling. At 5-foot-6, she was repeatedly told she didn’t fit the industry’s expectations and would never succeed.

Reflecting years later, Twiggy recalled a pivotal day at London’s House of Leonard, where she had gone to have her shoulder-length hair styled for test headshots shortly before her birthday. There, she encountered renowned stylist Leonard Lewis—better known as Leonard of Mayfair—who was searching for models to debut his new cropped hairstyle.

During a recent appearance on Jessie Ware’s podcast Table Manners, Twiggy openly shared that short hair had never been part of her plan. She explained that while having her hair washed and set, Leonard approached her with the idea of trying his new cut. Though hesitant, she felt too intimidated by the upscale surroundings to refuse and quietly agreed, despite her doubts.

The following day, she returned to the salon, mentally preparing herself. What followed was an exhausting seven-hour session involving cutting, coloring, and reworking the style until it was just right. Looking back, Twiggy laughed about the experience, describing it as overwhelming but unforgettable.

Even though the sharply cropped look wasn’t something she’d envisioned for herself, it quickly became clear why Leonard had such a formidable reputation. Once the golden-blonde cut was perfected, photographer Barry Lategan captured images that would soon change Twiggy’s life forever.

Leonard displayed the photos in his salon, where they caught the attention of Daily Express fashion editor Deirdre McSharry. According to Twiggy, that single moment—those photographs hanging on the wall—was the catalyst. When the images were published, it marked the exact point where everything shifted.

The haircut accentuated Twiggy’s wide blue eyes, which she dramatically emphasized by applying mascara to her lower lashes. In later interviews with Vogue, she revealed that her inspiration came from childhood play, recalling a rag doll with exaggerated lashes. Experimenting at home, she used false eyelashes to create what would become her signature doe-eyed look.

Away from the rigid rules of her grammar school—where uniforms were mandatory and makeup strictly forbidden—Twiggy found her freedom on weekends. She and her friends would head to mod clubs, wearing miniskirts and experimenting with cosmetics late into the night. Those playful moments of rebellion ultimately shaped the makeup style that defined her image.

Just weeks after the Daily Express shoot, the now-famous black-and-white photographs appeared with the headline “Twiggy—The Face of ’66.” The following month, she landed her first Vogue shoot, and her life, as she described it, spiraled into nonstop momentum.

As the embodiment of mod fashion, Twiggy became a role model for an entire generation. Still in her teens, she made history as the first real-life celebrity to inspire a Barbie doll in her likeness. Her influence continued as she became closely associated with designer Mary Quant, whose revolutionary designs—especially shorter hemlines—reshaped women’s fashion.

After only a few years at the top, Twiggy stepped away from modeling in 1970, turning her attention to acting and music. She starred in films such as The Boy Friend (1971), earning two Golden Globe Awards, and later appeared alongside Robin Williams in Club Paradise (1986).

Her career continued to evolve. She served as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, collaborated on an exclusive fashion line with Marks & Spencer, and appeared prominently in the brand’s advertising campaigns. In 2011, she released the album Romantically Yours, featuring classic covers, with her daughter Carly Lawson contributing vocals.

Remaining active in the fashion world, Twiggy has worked as a brand ambassador for L’Oréal and partnered with various labels as a designer. More recently, she launched her podcast Tea with Twiggy, where she hosts candid conversations with well-known friends from across the creative world.

Despite decades of success, Twiggy has said that her greatest achievement isn’t fame—it’s family. Her daughter Carly, born in 1978, was raised with unwavering devotion after her biological father, actor Michael Witney, died tragically at just 52 during Carly’s fifth birthday celebration. Twiggy later married Leigh Lawson in 1988, and together they ensured Carly was always their priority.

Twiggy has often emphasized that every professional decision she made was measured against what was best for her daughter. Even while traveling, Carly was always by her side, a bond that has only deepened over time. Now a grandmother, Twiggy reflects proudly on that closeness, recalling Carly once saying she couldn’t remember a moment when her mother wasn’t there.

Today, Twiggy remains admired not only for her enduring beauty, but for her ability to wear the same pixie cut she debuted in the 1960s with timeless grace. Decades later, it still suits her perfectly.

What do you remember most about the Swinging Sixties? And what’s the boldest hairstyle you’ve ever dared to try?