Defined Magazine

Twiggy Has Done It All (And She’s Not Stopping Yet)

26th February, 2026

Words Rebecca Cope

Photos Rachell Smith

Styling Davey Sutton

Shirt & Jacket YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS26, Tie CHANEL from Designer Exchange, Hat STEPHEN JONES SS26.

The definition of a national treasure, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone or something of which a particular country is very proud”. With this as the criteria, it’s no surprise that Twiggy, real name Dame Lesley Lawson, is considered one of our Great British icons.

Instantly recognisable, she was the embodiment of the Swinging Sixties in London, with her signature garçon crop and doe eyes accentuated by drawing on eyeliner to replicate eye lashes. Her origin story has all the makings of a Cinderella story, as a teenager whose unique beauty was recognised by a fairy godmother, leading her to be plucked from obscurity and catapulted into worldwide stardom (a fashion editor at the Daily Express saw a modelling photo of her in a hair salon, leading her to dub the 16-year-old unknown as “The Face of ‘66”). What followed was a fame akin to Beatlemania, with the model shooting covers for Vogue, ELLE and Tatler almost immediately, travelling around the world and becoming synonymous with the mini-skirted style of the era – all with a wide grin on her face.

It’s hard to believe now, but Twiggy only actually worked as a model full time for four years. A pioneer of the multi-hyphenate career, she has since gone on to work as an actress (winning two Golden Globes for 1971’s The Boy Friend), singer (she’s currently working on new material), designer (including a hit range for M&S) and podcaster (her podcast, ‘Tea with Twiggy’, has welcomed guests including Joanna Lumley, Sienna Miller and Emma Thompson). No wonder then that she was awarded a damehood for her services to fashion, the arts and charity in the Queen’s Honours List in 2018.

Here, she sits down with Defined for a meandering conversation about everything from life as a grandma to never wanting to retire.

Silk blouse with floral lace collar DIOR SS26, Hat DIOR SS26 show stingway hat in black silk and cotton.

Defined: First things first. Can I call you Twiggy, or do you go by Lesley in ‘real’ life?

Twiggy: I’ve been Twiggy for 60-odd years. It would be weird if someone called me Lesley. I probably wouldn’t even turn around!

Defined: Do you do anything particular now to prepare for a shoot?

Twiggy: No, not really. Just a good night’s sleep, clean hair, and I go in with an unmade-up face. I did get my nails done yesterday too actually. I’ve done so many shoots over the years – I’ve lost count. It’s like riding a bike, really. As long as I know the photographer has great lighting, I’m fine, Rachell is one of the best.

Defined: Do you like having music playing while you’re working?

Twiggy: Yes, I like music – a big spectrum, but not heavy metal. I can live without that. I often ask for Joni Mitchell, or Ed Sheeran, or something by The Beatles. Something melodic and upbeat.

Shirt, jacket, tie & trousers BURBERRY SS26.

Defined: The fashion in the shoot is quite androgynous. You’re a big fan of a trouser suit – would you say that’s your signature?

Twiggy: I’ve always worn trousers. If you look at pictures from 1966, ’67, ’68 – apart from what I wore as a model for magazines – my own clothes were trousers. I used to go to Tommy Nutter and have boys’ suits made. I look better in trousers. When I was very young, I didn’t have a girly figure. I felt uncomfortable in frilly dresses. They just weren’t my thing. I liked mini skirts with boots – more funky. I wouldn’t wear mini skirts now at my age, but trouser suits are fabulous, worn with a great top, or a leather jacket. I feel more comfortable that way than donning a dress.

Defined: Is there anyone whose style you particularly like nowadays?

Twiggy: I think Sienna Miller dresses beautifully. She makes it look easy. She just throws something together – a gypsy skirt, biker jacket, biker boots – and looks amazing.

Defined: Were you interested in fashion before you were scouted?

Twiggy: You have to remember, I was only 16 when I was discovered. At that time, my plan was to try and get into art school – somewhere like Central Saint Martin’s. But somebody up there had other plans for me. What’s been nice is that modelling led to me doing clothing ranges over the years. When I was 17, I did my first collection with two students from the Royal College of Fashion, Paul Babb and Pam Proctor. We did teenage clothes for about five years. I’ve done collections in Japan and America, and I did my range for M&S for about five years. I love making clothes. That’s my hobby. I’ve got three sewing machines. I always think if I lose the day job, I can fall back on that.

Jacket & trousers AMIRI SS26, Shirt MM6 MAISON MARGIELA SS26, Tie PAUL SMITH SS26, Shoes GEORGE COX.

Jacket, shirt, brooch & trousers TOM FORD SS26, Hat MISS JONES BY STEPHEN JONES SS26.

Defined: Do you make clothes for yourself?

Twiggy: I started off making them for myself. Then when I gave birth to my daughter, I made a lot for her. Now I make things for my grandchildren. I love knitting – knitting a five-year-old’s jumper is much quicker than a grown-up’s. And I do crochet too.

Defined: Did you keep any of your clothes from the ’60s for your daughter?

Twiggy: Sadly, not many. My daughter tells me off. In those days you wore things and then moved on. I’ve kept a couple of things from Biba because Barbara Hulanicki became one of my best friends. She turned the fashion industry around. There suddenly was a place you could go for affordable clothes for your age group. Before that, department stores sold clothes for your mum or for kids – there were no teenage clothes. That’s why I used to make my own. Thank God for Mary Quant and Barbara.

Defined: How did you deal with becoming famous so young?

Twiggy: It was amazing. Up until that day in February 1966 when Deirdre McSherry called me “The Face of ’66,” I’d been to school, lived in Neasden, had a lovely mum and dad and two lovely elder sisters. A really lovely childhood. I was as shocked as anyone. From day one, I was working for Vogue and Elle in Paris. Then Diana Vreeland took me to America and turned me global. In those days, if Diana said, “This is the girl,” the world turned to see. I loved it. I’d only ever gone to school, and suddenly I was travelling to Paris and New York, wearing amazing clothes and earning money. I was a schoolgirl.

Jacket & trousers STELLA MCCARTNEY SS26.

Defined: You’re known for being smiley and friendly. Do you think that was part of your appeal?

Twiggy: You know, I’ve never tried to analyse what happened to me. If you start analysing yourself, you’re in terrible trouble. It’s much nicer to be friendly to people because they’re friendly back. I can be strong and tough if I need to be, of course, but I don’t want to live life being angry and moaning. Life’s too short.

Defined: You’ve just done the Burberry campaign for SS26. How did that come about?

Twiggy: They phoned my agent just before Christmas. I’d known Christopher Bailey years ago – he once said I was one of his fashion influences. He dressed me for the Met Gala in a tuxedo. This time, Daniel Lee asked if I’d be part of the summer campaign. I was thrilled. I think it’s great to represent women over a certain age. A lot of women over a certain age have spending money and want to look great and Burberry is perfect for that.

Shirt, trousers & Jacket YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS26, Tie CHANEL from Designer Exchange, Shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK SS26, Hat STEPHEN JONES SS26.

Defined: How do you approach beauty and ageing?

Twiggy: I’m not fanatical, but I’ve always done some form of exercise. For the last 20 years it’s been Pilates – I swear by it. I eat well. I believe you are what you eat. Lots of greens, salmon, organic when I can. And dark chocolate – I was very happy to read that it’s good for you!

Defined: Have you ever considered retiring?

Twiggy: No. I don’t think completely retiring is a good idea. If you stop one job, take up another interest. I’m lucky because I love what I do – modelling, designing, acting, singing. I’m working with Amy Wadge on some music. We’ve done about four tracks. Singing is good for everybody – it’s good for your soul. And over the last year I’ve been travelling around Britain and Europe promoting the Twiggy documentary that was directed by Sadie Frost; it’s been a wonderful experience because I’ve had such wonderful feedback. This year it’s opening in Japan, Australia and America. But there’s nothing I haven’t done that I’d like to – I’m not going to jump out of an airplane or anything!

You can watch Twiggy now in the UK on BFI Player — and selected cinemas