She defined an entire era with a single, boyish haircut, a pair of massive doe eyes, and a fragile frame that earned her the legendary nickname “Twiggy.” Sixty years later, Dame Lesley Lawson—born Lesley Hornby in September 1949—is 76, and she remains one of the most recognizable, stylish, and gracefully aging faces in the fashion industry.
The woman who once made the globe fall in love with the pixie cut and painted-on lower-lash “twigs” has traded her cropped look for soft, shoulder-length blonde hair with a full fringe. Yet, the striking blue eyes still sparkle. The posture remains model-perfect. And that smile? It’s pure Twiggy.
The Seven-Hour Haircut That Made History
In 1966, a 16-year-old Lesley Hornby walked into Leonard of Mayfair’s posh London salon expecting a simple shampoo and set. Instead, celebrity stylist Leonard Lewis spotted her and asked to try out a radical new short crop. Too shy to refuse, she agreed.
Seven hours later, she emerged with the androgynous cut that would launch millions of imitations—and completely transform her life.
Photographer Barry Lategan shot her new look. When Daily Express fashion editor Deirdre McSharry saw the mesmerizing photos, she instantly declared her “The Face of ’66.” Within weeks, Twiggy was in Vogue. Paired with Mary Quant’s revolutionary mini-skirts and her own self-designed false lashes (which she painstakingly painted on, inspired by a childhood rag doll), her elfin features made her the ultimate mod icon and the world’s first celebrity Barbie. The entire Swinging London scene had found its perfect ambassador.
Walking Away at the Top
Perhaps the most shocking move of Twiggy’s modeling career was how early she ended it. By age 21, having completely conquered the fashion world, she officially retired from full-time modeling.
“You can’t be a clothes hanger for your entire life,” she famously noted. She successfully pivoted to acting, winning two Golden Globe awards for her role in the 1971 film The Boy Friend. She went on to conquer Broadway, release music, serve as a beloved judge on America’s Next Top Model, and launch a massively successful, long-running clothing line for UK retailer Marks & Spencer. In 2019, she was officially made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her dedicated services to fashion, the arts, and charity.
Twiggy in 2026: Fronting Burberry and Beyond
Today, Twiggy shows absolutely zero signs of slowing down. She recently delighted the fashion world by fronting Burberry’s Summer 2026 campaign. Handpicked by Creative Director Daniel Lee, Twiggy proved her lifelong mastery of clean, androgynous tailoring by modeling a stunning fringed leather trench alongside the industry’s newest rising stars.
Her incredible life is also the subject of a highly acclaimed recent documentary directed by Sadie Frost. The film traces her spectacular journey from a working-class teenager in Neasden to a global fashion powerhouse.
Through it all, family remains her anchor. She is fiercely close to her daughter Carly (from her first marriage to the late actor Michael Witney), absolutely adores being a grandmother, and frequently attends premieres alongside Leigh Lawson, her husband since 1988.
Her Real Secrets to Aging Gracefully
Twiggy has never claimed to follow extreme, punishing regimens or chasing youth through a surgeon’s scalpel. Her approach to beauty and wellness is refreshingly straightforward and accessible:
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Consistent Pilates: She has practiced Pilates for the last two decades. “Especially as you get older, you’ve got to keep everything moving,” she advises.
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A “No-Extremes” Diet: She favors simple, mostly organic foods—plenty of green vegetables, salmon, fresh fruit, occasional meat, and her favorite dark chocolate. She completely avoids extreme fad diets.
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Strict Skincare Rules: Her golden rule? Never sleep in your makeup. She also relies heavily on rich moisturizers to keep her naturally dry skin deeply hydrated.
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Signature Modern Makeup: While the heavy 60s lashes are a thing of the past, her playful eyes still take center stage. She favors a soft blue liner and blended shadow to make them pop, while keeping her lips a neutral, flattering shade.
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Mental Engagement: She stays constantly busy and curious. Whether she is hosting her hit podcast Tea with Twiggy, designing, or collaborating on music, she keeps her mind and body fully engaged.
She has spoken very openly about choosing to age without injectables, preferring to embrace her lines with gratitude rather than fighting them with a rigid rulebook. The result? A face that still looks remarkably like Twiggy—just softer, wiser, and every bit as magnetic.
The Look That Never Left
Gone is the harsh 1960s crop, replaced by the flattering, face-framing fringe she has favored since her late thirties. Yet the core essence remains exactly the same: those big eyes, elegant bone structure, and an innate sense of personal style that feels both deeply of its time and completely timeless.
Whether stepping out in a sharp navy pantsuit or rocking a brilliant black Burberry ensemble, she proves that true style is never about desperately chasing youth—it is about knowing exactly who you are.
Twiggy once said her greatest measure of success is the deep bond she shares with her daughter. Watching her at 76—still working, still radiant, still universally loved—it is abundantly clear she has succeeded on every single level that matters.
What is your favorite Twiggy memory from the Sixties? Have you ever tried the pixie cut she made famous? Share your thoughts below—and keep celebrating the women who redefine beauty at every age!
