This morning we visited the Antique Restoration workshop of Andrew Sharp, where, having been very impressed with Andrew’s skills and his establishment, I left a late Victorian chair for refurbishment.
Here are two more of Selfridge’s window displays from December 1963. The snowwoman’s garb is timeless; the models in the second, of the period, possibly dressed by Mary Quant.
“Dame Barbara Mary Quant CH DBE FCSD RDI (11 February 1930 – 13 April 2023) was a British fashion designer and icon.[2][3] She became an instrumental figure in the 1960s London-based Mod and youth fashion movements, and played a prominent role in London’s Swinging Sixties culture.[2][4][5] She was one of the designers who took credit for the miniskirt and hotpants.[6][7] Ernestine Carter[8] wrote: “It is given to a fortunate few to be born at the right time, in the right place, with the right talents. In recent fashion there are three: Chanel, Dior, and MaryQuant”.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Quant),
and perhaps worn by Twiggy, “Dame Lesley Lawson (née Hornby; born 19 September 1949), widely known by the nickname Twiggy, is an English model, actress, and singer. She was a British cultural icon and a prominent teenage model during the swinging ’60s in London.
Twiggy was initially known for her thin build and the androgynous appearance considered to result from her big eyes, long eyelashes, and short hair.[1][2] She was named “The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express[3] and voted British Woman of the Year.[4] By 1967, she had modelled in France, Japan, and the US, and had appeared on the covers of Vogue and The Tatler. Her fame had spread worldwide.[4]
After modelling, Twiggy had a successful career as a screen, stage, and television actress. Her role in The Boy Friend (1971) earned her two Golden Globe Awards. In 1983, she made her Broadway debut in the musical My One and Only, for which she received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She later hosted her own series, Twiggy’s People, in which she interviewed celebrities, and appeared as a judge on the reality show America’s Next Top Model. Her 1998 autobiography Twiggy in Black and White entered the best-seller lists.[3] Since 2005, she has modelled for Marks and Spencer, appearing in television advertisements and print media. She has been credited for the company’s successful revival at that time.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiggy
This evening we dined on Ferndene Farm shop’s flavoursome pork and chives sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes; tender cabbage; firm carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, with which I drank Paarl Shiraz 2023.
I didn’t know that Twiggy was knighted (is this the proper term for Dame)?
We think so, Dolly. Thanks very much
I fully expected you to know such things as you are my expert on all things British, Derrick.
On another topic, I had ordered the James Meek’s book, but The Boss grabbed it as soon as the wrapping came off. I am the second in line.
That was quite an era.
Thanks very much, GP
I like the designs from when I was a boy in the 60s!
Thank you very much, John
You are welcome, sir. Wonderful memories. ❤️
I wanted so badly to dress like Twiggy, but my mother wasn’t having any of it!
Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I remember ‘Twiggy’ from that wonderful era of the “60’s”, Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
Hello Derrick, Elinor and I went to an exhibition of Mary Quant clothes and accessories at the V&A in 2019. Elinor has always been fascinated by that era and dressed in clothes that looked the part for our trip. I have a wonderful photo of her taken by a visiting lecturer from New Zealand we met there! As a girl I was never able to afford Mary Quant clothes but I used to use her make-up brand. While I was still in primary school I and a few friends were taken up to London to take recorder exams at the London College of Music and as a treat afterwards we were taken to Carnaby Street and had a look in Biba and all the other wonderful clothes shops.
I had forgotten Twiggy was also an actress. I remember her look seemed very new for that time.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I remember Twiggy and the Sixties fashion culture 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
I agree with GP, that was quite an era. So many changes in society! I do remember Twiggy.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. In my view she looks much better now
Very interesting facts about Twiggy. She certainly influenced a lot of people to lose more weight than was healthy for them!
Thank you very much, Jan.
Interesting enjoyable facts about her life! I was much younger than Twiggy…but as a little girl I remember thinking she was so beautiful! Those eyes! Her hair style! She’s still beautiful today. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
More beautiful to my mind. Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
Twiggy was always my favourite.
I remember Twiggy. I was a child, and for a time, it seemed like she was on every cover. I’m glad her career went past that time.
Thank you very much, Merril
I remember that era well and the fashions.
Thank you very much, Sherry
Now I know more about Twiggy than I thought would ever! Thank you, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Ed
It must be hard for later generations to realise what a thunderclap the sixties were for people brought up in the forties and fifties.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Wow I’d completely forgotten Twiggy.
Thank you very much, Gary
It sounds like you had a lovely day visiting Andrew Sharp’s Antique Restoration workshop! How exciting to leave a late Victorian chair for refurbishment—such a great way to preserve history.
Thank you so much, Ilze
I remember that era well. Wonderful time to be young. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
I look forward to seeing the restored piece
Thank you very much, Sheree
Those window displays were so interesting 🙂
Thank you very much, Riba
I am too young to recall Twiggy or any of her work, but my mother couldn’t stand her for the repercussions on her own life. Mom was naturally plump as a young woman, and her mother berated her daily for being fat and ugly and asked why she couldn’t look more like Twiggy. Once I heard this, I decided not to like Twiggy also – in solidarity. 🙂 Interestingly, once mom moved out on her own and shed the nagging of my grandmother, she slimmed down to her natural state, which was for the next 40 years until her death, a petite and delicate frame.
Thank you very much, Crystal. Twiggy was kept far too skinny