a bird named tree

Penelope Tree, was born in 1950 into a wealthy American family. Against her parents wishes, her modeling career began at the young age of 13 in the early sixties and exploded from there. Discovered first by Diane Arbus & later Avedon, Tree was the U.S. answer to the Twig and her doll-faced look was noticed by everyone, including photographer David Bailey. By 1967 she had moved into Bailey's London flat and the two remained a couple until 1974. Her unique and exotic look is said to have had a huge part in inspiring the swinging 60's movement and she was even referred to as 'an Egyptian Jimminy Cricket' and 'Face of the Decade'. Her look was self-created. She purposely would exaggerate her make up to annoy friends and family. With that kind of anti-establishment attitude, she was a perfect reflection of what was going on in the late '60s, and her unconventional looks symbolized and reflected the strangeness and nonconformity of the times. In later 70's, Tree moved to Australia and out of modeling and did a short stint acting. She appeared in the British comedy film The Rutles in 1978 and then settled down and raised two children.