Twiggy, born Lesley Lawson, is a legendary name in the fashion industry. With her iconic pixie haircut, big doe eyes, and slender figure, Twiggy revolutionized the modeling world in the 1960s and became a cultural icon. But before she became a household name, she was just a shy girl from London with big dreams.

Twiggy was born on September 19, 1949, in London, England. Growing up, she was known by her family and friends as Lesley Hornby. She was the youngest of three sisters and had a normal childhood spent playing with her siblings and attending school. However, she always had a love for fashion and would often cut out pictures from magazines to create her own paper dolls.

At the age of 16, Lesley’s life changed when she met hairdresser Nigel Davies, who convinced her to let him cut her hair short. This was the start of Twiggy’s iconic look that would launch her into stardom. Davies then introduced her to his friend, fashion photographer Barry Lategan, who took some photos of Twiggy. Those photos caught the attention of Deirdre McSharry, fashion editor of the Daily Express, who then featured Twiggy in an article titled “The Face of ’66.”

The article led to Twiggy signing with the prestigious London modeling agency, Young and Rubicam. It wasn’t long before she was gracing the covers of major fashion magazines and walking the runways for top designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Mary Quant. Her unique and androgynous look was a complete departure from the curvy and glamorous models of the time, making her stand out and capturing the attention of the world.

Twiggy’s rise to fame was meteoric, and by 1967, she became the face of the “Swinging London” scene. She was often seen out and about with other famous faces of the era, such as The Beatles and Andy Warhol. With her signature look and charm, she captured the hearts of millions and became a fashion icon for women all over the world.

Her popularity also led to a new trend in fashion – the introduction of teen modeling. Twiggy’s fresh and youthful appearance opened doors for other young models to enter the industry and challenge the traditional standards of beauty.

But Twiggy didn’t just stick to modeling. She ventured into acting and appeared in films such as “The Boy Friend” and “The Blues Brothers.” She also had a brief singing and dancing career, releasing several albums and appearing in a number of stage productions.

Even after her heyday, Twiggy continued to make an impact on the fashion industry. In the 1980s, she became the face of Marks & Spencer, a British department store, and her collaboration with the brand led to a successful clothing line. She also made a comeback to the runway in the 1990s, proving that she was still a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.

Now in her 70s, Twiggy remains an influential figure in the industry. She has been awarded numerous accolades, including a Tony Award for her Broadway debut in “My One and Only.” She also continues to inspire generations of models with her timeless style and positive attitude towards aging.

Twiggy’s early years may have been humble, but she showed the world that with hard work, passion, and a unique sense of style, anything is possible. She will forever be remembered as the original supermodel and an emblem of the swinging 60s fashion era. Her legacy lives on, inspiring women to embrace their individuality and breaking barriers in the fashion world. Twiggy remains an icon and a true symbol of the power and influence of fashion.