OK!
Magazine, March 23rd, 2004
Twiggy -
Revealing All Her Secrets
Twiggy was just sweet 16 when she shot to international fame as a fashion model. Born Lesley Hornby she became one of the iconic faces of the swinging '60s. In fact, in 1966 the Daily Express named her their face of the year. She went on to become a successful actress, winning two Golden Globes for her starring role in Ken Russell's film The Boy Friend. Twiggy decided to show her versatility when she landed her own TV series and launched an assault on the pop charts. In 1988 she married to actor / director Leigh Lawson, and they spent the past four years developing a new range of skincare products. Twiggy spoke to OK! about the new brand as well as fame, the '60s, her pal Sir Paul McCartney and the day she met her Hollywood idol...
What
would you say if we called you a national institution?
(Laughs) I'd be very flattered! I think it's rather sweet, thank you.
I feel so thankful that I'm still around after such a long time, doing
things that and having an interesting life.
You're a
very British icon, aren't you?
Yes, a lot of that comes from '60s thing and I don't think I'll ever
lose that label. For a while it got on my wick but you come to the
realisation that it happened, it's a fact.
Would you
like to be a grandmother one day?
Oh sure, but not yet! Paul McCartney is a great mate of mine and he's
been a granddad for a while. He says he loves it because you can spoil
them and then give them back!
What's your
secret of keeping healthy?
Taking exercise is important for your body and your brain. I have tap
dancing lessons, which I adore. Everyone should do it because it's so much
fun. It makes you feel like Fred Astaire and he's my hero.
Did
you ever meet him?
Yes, in 1970 when I was 20, I had done a film called The Boy Friend
and I went to Los Angeles to collect the two Golden Globes I'd won for
the movie, and MGM, who made the film, asked me if there was a film star
I'd like to meet and I replied Fred Astaire. The next day MGM rang and
told me they had organised an invitation for me to have tea at Fred's
home. He was the most gorgeous man you could ever meet. I'm getting
tingles now thinking about the moment.
Any other
encounters with Hollywood greats?
I remembered one night when I was in a musical in New York. As I came
off stage on my first night I felt someone grab me. Then this voice said:
'Oh my darling, the show was fabulous'. I looked around and it was Lauren
Bacall. It's not every day you get hugged by Lauren Bacall! She's an
extraordinary woman and we've become good mates.
Tell us
about your skincare range. Did you really test the products on yourself?
Yes, these products are 100 per cent Twiggy tested. Dabs of the
ingredient were put on my back and covered with plasters over a three week
period.
The
beauty market is a touch and crowded one. Were you worried about
succeeding?
Yes, but if I worried about things I've done in my life I'd never have
done anything.
Finally, do
you feel silly being called Twiggy?
(Laughs) I suppose I'm kind of fond of it. My friends call me Twigs,
Twiggles or Twiggler. It's a stupid name but what can I do? It could have
been worse.
Twiggy was
photographed at Blakes Hotel, London (click on photos to view larger
image).
Interview by Rob Chilton. Exclusive photographs by Brian Aris.
