The
Times: Body & Soul - February 28th, 2004How the fit and fabulous stay that way: Twiggy, 54
by Amber Cowan
Model-turned-actress Twiggy, 54, gets her kicks tap dancing like her hero Fred Astaire and wears lavender essence for sweet dreams
Are you naturally twig-like these days or do you have to work at it?
I’m not as skinny as I used to be, thank God. I’d look very strange if I was. I’m slim, put it that way. I eat healthily because that’s the way I prefer to eat and I’m sure that helps to keep off the weight.
Is calorie in your vocabulary?
I’ve never counted calories. I don’t have to; I don’t have that sort of metabolism. But I don’t sit around stuffing myself with cream cakes because I think that your body changes as you get older.
Your body is a temple?
I try to have my five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day and I tend not to eat fatty or fried things. I’m very into buying organic fruit, veg, chicken and fish, and I love cooking: I’m a very good cook.
Is keeping fit penance?
I love exercise but I find it boring doing the same thing all the time, so I fluctuate between going to the gym, doing Pilates and taking dance lessons.
Ballet or disco?
My favourite is jazz. I did a film when I was 20 called The Boyfriend, and I had to learn to tap dance for that. I love it; Fred Astaire is my hero. Nowadays I have a private teacher who can do all sorts of styles, so I try to have a lesson once a week.
Are you a make-up off before bedtime girl?
Absolutely, 100 per cent. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or how much you’ve had to drink, it has to be done. My other mantra is “moisturise, moisturise, moisturise” because I’ve got very dry skin.
You are launching a skincare range for Asda. Is it because you think you can do it better? Basically, I wanted creams without alcohol because alcohol dries the skin, and most creams contain alcohol-based perfume. We came up with the idea of using pure aromatherapy essences instead. I’m also against animal testing, so every ingredient was personally tested by me, on my back. And, because it is being sold through Asda, it won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Good scents?
I love lavender essences. It’s one of the best smells in the world. We put it in our night creams and I find it very calming. It’s supposed to make you have sweet dreams, so I always put it on before I drift off. It’s lovely.
Are you hot on looking cool?
I think so, like most women and men. I think you have to have a certain amount of vanity, otherwise you’ll just go around looking dreadful.
Would you ever give nature a helping hand?
I don’t have any plans to because I’m quite happy with the way I look for my age. Maybe in ten years’ time I will change my mind. But I’d never have Botox. They say it disappears from your body but it’s a poison. Where does it go?
Champagne or wheatgrass in the fridge?
Wheatgrass actually makes me sick. I tried it once in Los Angeles and it made me vomit. I like champagne though and a glass of red wine with my dinner.
Any vices?
I think that if you stop yourself having something you start craving it. That’s why diets don’t work: you have to change the way you eat. I think everything is fine in moderation. I allow myself chocolate but only a couple of cubes once or twice a week.
Pop any pills?
I buy supplements but I always forget to take them. When I remember I take echinacea, vitamin C and calcium. You shouldn’t take echinacea for too long anyway.
Any health niggles?
I have slight allergies, like most people, but nothing major. Sometimes I wake up with itchy eyes, a snuffly nose and a slightly puffy face, but I have no idea why. I’ve changed my washing powder and it could be my cat, but I’d rather have my allergy than get rid of her. If that’s the worst thing I have, then I’m bloody lucky.
Green tea or your GP?
I would use alternative remedies, although it depends what the ailment is. I try not to take too many painkillers though because I prefer to keep that sort of medicine out of my body.
What can’t you live without?
My moisturiser. I’d shrivel up and die.
A signed, limited-edition Pop Art portrait of Twiggy, by the London-based artist Ainslie Tree, is on sale to raise funds for Barnardo’s. It is priced at £275 and is available directly from Tree (020-8960 6266; www.popartportraits.co.uk), with £50 from every sale going to Barnado’s
