On August 21, 1967, photographer Kent Gavin captured a series of striking black and white portraits of Twiggy — the English model, actress, and singer who had become one of the most recognized faces in the world. The shoot took place the day before she left for New York, giving the images a sense of occasion. Twiggy was dressed in a hippie-inspired outfit, a style that was sweeping through youth culture that year.
Twiggy spoke openly about her relationship with the hippie look. She loved the outfit but was quick to point out that she was not a true hippie herself. She had a straw hat decorated with poppies that she adored, but left it at home that day because it did not match what she was wearing. “That shows I’m not a real hippie, doesn’t it?” she said. “If I was, I’d wear it anyway.”
Her self-awareness was part of what made her so compelling to the press. She was a fashion icon who could laugh at her own image. Rather than trying to fully adopt the hippie identity, she saw the style as something that could be shaped and refined. She believed the clothes could work for everyday wear, and she had concrete plans to bring adapted versions into her own clothing range.
By 1967, Twiggy had already spent more than a year at the center of the mod fashion world. Born Lesley Hornby in London, she had risen to fame in 1966 and quickly became the face of a generation. Her slim frame, large eyes, and cropped hair made her instantly recognizable. Kent Gavin’s photos from this session show that same iconic presence, this time framed by the loose, free-spirited aesthetic of the hippie movement.
The timing of the shoot adds a layer of context. Twiggy was heading to New York the very next day, stepping from one fashion capital to another at the height of her fame. The photos feel like a farewell snapshot — a moment caught just before she moved on to the next chapter.
Gavin’s black and white photography strips away the color of the era and focuses attention entirely on Twiggy’s expression and posture. The contrast between the structured world of high fashion and the loose, countercultural spirit of the hippie style is present in every frame. Twiggy wore the look with ease, even while openly admitting she picked her accessories based on what matched.
