swinging into thursday

Oh to be a part of this the first time around!

The Twig

Twiggy (September 19, 1949) is an English supermodel, actress and singer. Twiggy born Lesley Hornby was raised in the suburbs of London. During her school years she was nicknamed "Sticks" by her schoolmates for her ever so slight frame.

At just 16 years old Leslie met Nigel Davies, a young dandy with a stall at the Chelsea flea market. Seeing major possibilities in the shy young girl he scooped her up and took her to fashionable hairdresser Vidal Sasson, and had her hair cut very short, boyish style. Then off to Mary Quant, the mod fashion queen of the '60s for new clothes. Finally, Nigel Davies, who would later go by the name of Justin de Villenueve takes his little Twiggy (a much better name for a top model) to meet the editors-in-chief of all the most important publications. The following day, her face appears in the Daily Express under the heading, "The Face of the Year."

With her waif like figure, boyish hair cut and striking eye lashes she created an image that would epitomise an era. Twiggy became the idol for millions of teenage girls of the sixties revolution. By the age of 17, Twiggy was one of the most famous faces on the planet: her photograph was even encased in a time capsule and sent into space. By this time in the sixties, Twiggy had already become a household name across the globe, an icon whose image graced the covers of Vogue, Tatler and even her own American publication Her Mod, Mod Teen World.

Then, four years later, the young woman who rode only in her Rolls-Royce and Jaguar, suddenly dropped out of the glamorous fashion world. The Reason? "You can't be a clothes hanger for your entire life!"

It's a Mod World

Mary Quant (February 11, 1934) is an English fashion designer and is considered a revolutionary contributor to 20th century design. Born to Welsh parents in Kent, England Quant studied illustration at Goldsmiths' College of Art in London before taking a job with a Danish milliner.

In November 1955, she opened her first boutique on the first floor aptly named "Bazzar" and a restaurant in the basement in Chelsea King's Road. Partnered with her husband Alexander Plunkett-Greene and an accountant, Archie McNair the shop would quickly be the focus of anti-establishment protest. Finding a lack of proper merchandise to sell, Quant began to design and manufacture her own range of clothing. She was the first to come out with hipster pants and one of the first designers to produce the mini-skirt. Quant was considered a forerunner in the mod movement and by 1961 opened a second Bazzar in Knightsbridge.

Her popularity during the Swinging Sixties London led to a lucrative mass-production deal with J C Penney in 1963. This prompted her to set up the "Ginger Group" label.

In the late sixties Quants last major contribution to the fashion world was the first hot pants. Through the 1970's and 1980's she put more emphasis on her household goods and cosmetics line.

In 2000 she resigned as director of Mary Quant Ltd., her cosmetics company, after a Japanese buyout. You can still purchase her designs today at one of the 200 Mary Quant Colour Shops in Japan.