Twiggy, born Lesley Hornby, was one of the defining faces of London’s swinging ’60s and is widely considered to be one of the world’s first supermodels. At 15, she met a hairdresser named Nigel Davies (now known as Justin de Villeneuve), who gave Hornby her signature boyish haircut. Davies called the then-teenager Twigs because of her waifish frame, though it was a 1966 article in The Daily Express that described her as Twiggy.
By the time she was 17, Twiggy was one of the most famous faces in the world and went on to grace the covers of magazines like Vogue and Tatler. She even found some success as a singer ― she released a single called “Beautiful Dreams” in 1967 ― was nominated for a Tony Award in 1983, and also went on to act in various film and TV roles.
On Sept. 19, the supermodel celebrates her 69th birthday. As our way of showing our appreciation for Twiggy’s effect on the fashion world, we’re looking back at her style through the years.
Below, check out some of Twiggy’s most iconic looks, from her classic ’60s shift dresses to her ’80s glam style, her relaxed, menswear-inspired ’90s wardrobe and everything in between.
Undated
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An undated photo of Twiggy wearing a head scarf and velvet suit.
1966
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The model poses outdoors in 1966.
1966
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Twiggy wears 1920s-style fashions.
1966
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Twiggy boards an aircraft at London's Heathrow Airport, bound for Tunisia on an export drive for Berkertex.
1966
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Twiggy models a transparent plastic halter neck dress while standing on a car.
1966
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Twiggy models flared trousers and a sleeveless top in a photographer's studio.
1967
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Twiggy models a shirt dress amid posters of her previous work.
1967
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Twiggy, then 17, wears a hooded minidress in London.
1967
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Twiggy launches The Twiggy Look Collection.
1967
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The model with rail of "Twiggy Clothes."
1967
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Twiggy poses with bumper cars at the Bertram Mills Circus.
1967
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Twiggy attends the CBS "Model of the Year" Pageant at CBS Studios in New York City.
1968
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Twiggy wears a dress from her "Twiggy" label.
1968
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The model arrives at Heathrow Airport.
1970
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Twiggy wears a knit baby-doll dress with a ribbed bodice by Juliano Knits with thigh-high socks, a choker by Mary Smith and braids by Edith Imre.
1970
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Twiggy wears a short, leopard-print tunic dress with slashed sleeves by Bill Tice for Royal Robes.
1971
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This outfit was featured in the Ken Russell film "The Boy Friend," which starred Twiggy.
1967
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Twiggy disembarks from an aircraft in a red suede velvet outfit.
1973
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An undated portrait of the model.
1976
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Model and actress Twiggy in London.
1981
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Twiggy attends A Gift of Music Concert Benefit at Metromedia Square in Los Angeles.
1983
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The model outside her Hollywood home.
1983
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Twiggy at the Gershwin Theater in New York City.
1993
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The model during the world premiere of "The Remains of the Day" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Beverly Hills, California.
1994
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Twiggy and husband Leigh Lawson at the eighth annual American Comedy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
1999
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Twiggy posing on the sidewalk in a relaxed outfit.
2003
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Twiggy attends the Evening Standard British Film Awards in 2003 at The Savoy in London.
2007
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The supermodel celebrates the redesigned Marks & Spencer store on Oxford Street in London.
2008
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Twiggy arrives at the Elle Style Awards at The Westway in London.
2008
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The model attends the "Bill Gibb: Fashion and Fantasy" book launch at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London.
2009
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Twiggy and model Agyness Deyn at "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
2010
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Models Twiggy and Erin O'Connor attend the Burberry Prorsum fall/winter 2010 womenswear show at the Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Art in London.
2012
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Twiggy arrives at the Gala Press Night performance of "Viva Forever" at the Piccadilly Theatre in London.
2012
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Twiggy attends the Stella McCartney ready-to-wear spring/summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week.
2014
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Twiggy attends the British Fashion Awards at the London Coliseum.
2014
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Twiggy attends the VIP preview day of the Chelsea Flower Show at The Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
2016
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The model attends the Vogue 100 Gala Dinner at the East Albert Lawn in Kensington Gardens in London.
2017
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The model at the preview party for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
2018
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Twiggy attends a special screening of "My Generation" at BFI Southbank in London.
