Directed by Sadie Frost
Transmission Films
In cinemas from December 4
Previewed by Len Power 26 November 2025
Ever since she burst onto the fashion scene in London in 1966, Twiggy has shown that she was not just a model who would fade away after a few years of fame. The new documentary, ‘Twiggy: The Story Of An Icon’, looks at the woman and her long and varied career. It’s a surprising and fascinating story.
Born Lesley Hornby in Neasden, London, the 16 year old schoolgirl suddenly found herself to be the most famous model of the 1960s. Her distinctive look, accent and slight figure caused a media frenzy at the time. It would have been understandable if fame and fortune had changed her for the worst, but decades later she displays the same natural and appealing personality that we remember from those early days.
The film is an exploration of her upbringing, career and relationships. The story of how her modelling began is surprising enough, but the unexpected direction in which her career moved afterwards is equalling fascinating.
In 1970, she surprised everyone with her singing and dancing skills in the Ken Russell musical film, ‘The Boyfriend’. She released several record albums of songs and relates a chilling tale in the film about record producer, Phil Spector. She also burst onto Broadway in 1983 with the hit Gershwin musical, ‘My One And Only’ with Tommy Tune.
Television work followed, including a duet with Bing Crosby filmed shortly before he died. She became well-known to modern audiences with her appearances in ‘Absolutely Fabulous’.
Various media personalities such as Dustin Hoffman, Joanna Lumley, Paul McCartney, Lulu, Tommy Tune, Brooke Shields and others reminisce about her in the film. They’re not just a bunch of famous people called in to enhance the film. They all have worthwhile stories to tell about their interactions with Twiggy. Joanna Lumley gives a particularly interesting picture of life as a fashion model in the 1960s.
Twiggy’s life hasn’t been all rosy. There were failed marriages, but she also had a daughter, who appears in the film. She is now happily married to actor and director, Leigh Lawson. In 2019, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to fashion, to the arts and to charity.
The film is directed by Sadie Frost, who previously made a feature film on fashion designer, Mary Quant. ‘Twiggy: The Story Of An Icon’ is a pleasant trip down memory lane with a fascinating woman, who might have been in the right place at the right time, but went on to show that she had so much more going for her.
