One of the icons of the ’60s, top English model Twiggy, turned 60 in September.
Famous for her very skinny figure, her big expressive eyes and her boyish looks, she has compiled some of her most famous pictures in a new book, Twiggy: a Life in Photographs. She is also the star of an exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery until March 2010.
Twiggy spoke to Metro Brazil about her career.
How do you look so good at 60?
I’m happy with my life, I love what I do. I’m blessed with a good health, that’s the top of the list, isn’t it? I eat very healthily.
What are your memories of the ‘60s?
When you’re living something, you don’t stop everyday and think: “Wow, this is amazing.” It was an exciting time, but I didn’t realize until I looked back how amazing that period was. I don’t think any of us knew or realized it would be so important. Historically, it was the first time that the working class people had chances. I was really the first working class model.
Was there any rivalry between you and other great ‘60s models, like Veruschka and Jean Shrimpton?
They were already established, I was a little kid. But the models were sweet to me, they looked after me. I had pictures of Jean Shrimpton on my bedroom wall. I loved her, she was fantastic.
You appear on the cover of David Bowie’s Pin Ups. What is the story of that image?
That photograph was actually shot for the cover of English Vogue. He was very popular then. We were both kind of androgynous. They thought we would make a good cover. They shot the photo, but then the art director refused to put a man on the cover! So David Bowie said: ‘Don’t worry, it’s such a great picture, I’ll use it as an album cover.’ We met to do the photograph. He is very talented, bright, lovely man.
Paul McCartney is also a big friend of yours.
Yes, he is one of my best friends. Linda [McCartney] was a dear, dear friend of mine. I’ve know him since I was 17. We are very close, I was around when his kids were born. My daughter Carly is the print designer for Stella McCartney. It’s a big family affair really.
Who is the “new Twiggy”?
Kate Moss, definitely. She is a phenomenon. She is one of the best models ever. Look at the photographs: She is getting better and better. I know her, she is a lovely, natural girl. But she’s also a brilliant model. And I think she’s becoming a very clever businesswoman as well.
