For quite some time, numerous individuals have endeavored to create a movie portraying the life of Twiggy – the celebrated cultural symbol who skyrocketed to stardom as a teenage model in the lively ’60s. Notably, she had consistently shown reluctance towards this concept until very recently.
Over the past two decades, numerous opportunities have come my way asking me to share my life story, but for one reason or another, they never materialized or didn’t sit right with me. It’s a significant responsibility to entrust someone with such a personal narrative.
The events that ultimately resulted in the creation of the new movie were quite fortunate. Actress and fashion designer Sadie Frost was a guest on Twiggy’s podcast “Tea with Twiggy” to publicize her first documentary, focusing on the renowned ’60s fashion designer Mary Quant. While they were talking, Twiggy inquired if Sadie had any intentions for creating more movies.
In my enthusiasm, I found myself deeply immersed in investigating the vibrant fashion and cultural milieu of the ’60s. It occurred to me then – a flash of inspiration – that Twiggy, with her iconic status from that era, would make an ideal subject for further exploration. And so, a week later, I found myself across the table from this legendary figure, sensing immediately that our collaboration was destined to be fruitful and fulfilling.
Twiggy clarifies, “I appreciated the concept greatly, firstly, because she’s a woman who could empathize with much of my experiences.” She adds, “We share many similarities – she began young, is a model and actress, has faced scrutiny due to her public life. This makes our connections profound.
I assumed our shared knowledge would be sufficient… allowing us to discuss topics comfortably, without needing much explanation from my end.
In her perspective, delving into Twiggy’s life and career was a worthwhile journey for Frost. However, she acknowledges that, given how long someone has been in the spotlight, uncovering fresh perspectives can require substantial effort.
According to Frost, he needed to persistently try but always mindful of Twiggy’s feelings, ensuring she didn’t get uneasy.
I aimed to honor women, yet also shed light on the challenges they might have faced, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds during that era. I wanted to emphasize their determination and resilience in carving out a path for themselves.
The documentary devotes a large part of its length exploring Twiggy’s rise to fame during a specific period. It features a wealth of captivating archival material, some even claimed by the star as never-before-seen, accompanied by enlightening comments from various experts like Dame Joanna Lumley and Dustin Hoffman. These perspectives offer valuable background information as well as entertaining stories.
For Twiggy, who rarely indulges in reminiscing, this opportunity to ponder over the vibrant cultural era she contributed to was quite uncommon.
She states, “I never ponder over the past, it’s not something that occupies my thoughts.” During our visit to the V&A for a screening yesterday, someone inquired about this matter. I replied, “I don’t spend my mornings reminiscing about the ’60s or let thoughts of that era cross my mind.
Currently, I’m pondering over my present tasks and upcoming schedule for the next week. It’s a busy time, which I thoroughly enjoy. Moreover, I have a strong family bond, and I believe that’s been instrumental in keeping me balanced amidst all the chaos.
Was revisiting the archival materials for the documentary able to offer her a fresh viewpoint on any of those initial encounters?
She replies, “Initially, I couldn’t believe my age when I first saw it, given that at 16 and 17, one tends to feel rather mature.
Looking back, I can’t help but notice how incredibly young I appeared. At the time, my youthfulness was strikingly apparent. It was this realization that truly struck me. I am grateful to have made it through without any significant harm, but I had some truly wonderful individuals by my side throughout it all.
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The movie additionally delves into stereotypes commonly thrown at models, particularly during her early career. A single scene, initially awkward, portrays her being condescendingly quizzed by Woody Allen about her preferred philosopher, seemingly intended merely to belittle or embarrass her.
Instead of caving under the intense scrutiny, I coolly flipped the script and shot a question right back at Allen, leaving him momentarily speechless and frazzled. It seemed like he often tested my patience with such behavior.
She states, “It’s been a common belief that models are only thick and unintelligent, but as I’ve mentioned before – and this is probably featured in one of my interviews with Graham Norton – I know many individuals who are both thick-headed and unintelligent across various professions. How can we make such broad assumptions?
Many models from that time, including Anjelica Huston and Susan Sarandon (among many others), went on to achieve great things. It’s strange though, looking back at that era, as you can tell by the way some photographers interacted with certain models.
Intriguingly, Joanna Lumley’s interview captured my attention as her path in modeling preceded mine slightly, making her a seasoned model who had to search for work, unlike me, who was thrown immediately into the modeling world without the need to seek out opportunities. My journey into becoming a prominent model deviated significantly from the typical model’s experience.
The movie doesn’t just capture a single instant from the ’60s; instead, it delves deeply into various facets of Twiggy’s life, chronicling events from back then up until the present. This includes her encounters with notable British filmmaker Ken Russell and the success that followed in her acting career, her marriage to Michael Witney and the heartbreaking event that marked its end, as well as her comeback to modeling, featuring campaigns for Marks & Spencer and more recently, Charlotte Tilbury.
She notes, “It’s impressive how thoroughly she discussed my entire career.” This is remarkable since I only modeled for a brief period of four years. My life took a significant turn when I met Ken Russell and he cast me in ‘The Boy Friend.’ That was the moment I understood that acting was what I truly wanted to pursue.
In essence, my modeling career didn’t last too long. However, in the ’90s, I got another chance when Steven Meisel contacted me for a 10-page spread in Italian Vogue. Naturally, I couldn’t refuse such an opportunity! Plus, by that time, I wasn’t a young girl anymore, so it was quite flattering to be considered.
The film emphasizes how Twiggy has evolved over time, challenging the stereotype that she would remain frozen in time due to her early success as a model. In contrast to many celebrities who are perceived as never aging beyond their breakout moments, Twiggy has consistently defied these expectations.
She expresses her hope that it becomes evident to everyone, regardless of gender, including women, that age should not limit or define you.
When we talk, Twiggy has watched the movie more than once, yet eagerly anticipates the London premiere where she can enjoy it alongside numerous family members.
She mentions that there will likely be some tears. I advised my elder sister, Shirley, to carry a good amount of tissues with her as she might cry throughout the event. When I received my damehood, I arranged for Shirley, along with my husband, daughter, and stepson, to attend. During the ceremony, Shirley cried profusely because she had been like a second mother to me!
Instead of saying, “What’s wonderful is the response we had during the Q&A session at the V&A. The crowd was delightful, and some ladies even confessed, ‘I cried throughout the entire thing. It brought back memories of my youth and its simplicity.'”
“The response we received during our Q&A at the V&A was heartwarming. The audience was charming, and a few women admitted that they cried throughout the performance, reminding them of their younger days filled with sweetness.
But it’s not just those who were there at the time that the film will appeal to.
She mentions that many of the individuals who reach out to her are young adults, around 18, 20, or 22 years old. They are drawn to this era, whether for fashion trends, music, or simply appreciating that time. It’s fascinating, she notes, and just last week, she received a letter from a young woman in China. She was unaware of her popularity in China, but it seems that her influence extends there as well!
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2025-03-07 10:42