Peggy Moffitt
Encyclopedia
Peggy Moffitt is best known as the premier model and muse for the late fashion designer Rudi Gernreich
. Though her unique look has now become iconic of the 60s fashion scene, Peggy started out pursuing a career in film, debuting in the 1955's You're Never Too Young.
Her work with Gernreich, and entrance into the 60s fashion scene came along in 1958 when she began a romantic affair with photographer William Claxton
. Claxton had been involved with Gernreich since 1956, photographing his designs. By 1962 (two years after Moffitt and Claxton had wed), Peggy began work as a model for Gernreich.
As she began modeling for Gernreich, her signature image began to evolve. She wore false eyelashes and heavy eye makeup, drawing on not only current trends but Japanese Kabuki theater. Her hairstyle, created by Vidal Sassoon, a totally unique hair cut became known as the "five point".
The trio remained under the radar until 1964, when Gernreich designed his notorious topless bathing suit, dubbed the "monokini
". The bold design catapulted both Gernreich and Moffitt to stardom, as Moffitt was one of the few models bold enough at the time to model it. The two soon became more than just designer and model. Moffitt became a muse to Gernreich, and later on, a collaborator as well.
Though her film career was no more, a film entitled Who Are You, Polly Magoo? was released in which she appeared.
Though Gernreich died in 1985, Moffitt is the holder of the trademark on his name and designs, and has since then worked to further popularize his works. In 1999 she allowed his designs to be put on display in an art exhibition. The same year, Moffitt also worked with Marylou Luther and William Claxton to release a comprehensive book chronicling Gernreich's designs.
This resurgence in interest of both Gernreich and Moffitt led to a contract with Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons
designer Rei Kawakubo
to re-create a number of Gernreich's designs and make them available to the retail market. Together the duo went through the Gernreich archives and selected key pieces to be re-released under the Comme des Garçons label. In 2003 the "*moffitt" line was finally released as a series of t-shirts (some depicting Moffitt's image), as well as a range of trousers.
Rudi Gernreich
Rudi Gernreich was a Austrian-born American fashion designer and gay activist.-Biography:Born in Vienna, Gernreich fled Austria at age 16 due to Nazism, and later migrated to the United States, settling in Los Angeles, California...
. Though her unique look has now become iconic of the 60s fashion scene, Peggy started out pursuing a career in film, debuting in the 1955's You're Never Too Young.
Biography
Her first credited appearance in movies was in the movie "Senior Prom" (1958) as the Girl with Holder as a dark haired vamp.Her work with Gernreich, and entrance into the 60s fashion scene came along in 1958 when she began a romantic affair with photographer William Claxton
William Claxton (photographer)
William Claxton was an American photographer and author.-Biography:Born in Pasadena, California, Claxton's works included a book of photographs of Steve McQueen, and Jazz Life, a book of photographs depicting jazz artists in the 1960s. He was most noted for his photography of jazz musicians...
. Claxton had been involved with Gernreich since 1956, photographing his designs. By 1962 (two years after Moffitt and Claxton had wed), Peggy began work as a model for Gernreich.
As she began modeling for Gernreich, her signature image began to evolve. She wore false eyelashes and heavy eye makeup, drawing on not only current trends but Japanese Kabuki theater. Her hairstyle, created by Vidal Sassoon, a totally unique hair cut became known as the "five point".
The trio remained under the radar until 1964, when Gernreich designed his notorious topless bathing suit, dubbed the "monokini
Monokini
A monokini, sometimes referred to as a unikini, is a woman's one-piece garment comprising only the lower half of a bikini, leaving the breasts uncovered...
". The bold design catapulted both Gernreich and Moffitt to stardom, as Moffitt was one of the few models bold enough at the time to model it. The two soon became more than just designer and model. Moffitt became a muse to Gernreich, and later on, a collaborator as well.
Though her film career was no more, a film entitled Who Are You, Polly Magoo? was released in which she appeared.
Though Gernreich died in 1985, Moffitt is the holder of the trademark on his name and designs, and has since then worked to further popularize his works. In 1999 she allowed his designs to be put on display in an art exhibition. The same year, Moffitt also worked with Marylou Luther and William Claxton to release a comprehensive book chronicling Gernreich's designs.
This resurgence in interest of both Gernreich and Moffitt led to a contract with Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons, written コム・デ・ギャルソン in Japanese and French for "Like Boys," is a Japanese fashion label headed by Rei Kawakubo, who owns the company with her husband Adrian Joffe....
designer Rei Kawakubo
Rei Kawakubo
is a Japanese fashion designer, founder of Comme des Garçons.She is untrained as a fashion designer, but studied fine arts and literature at Keio University. After graduation, Kawakubo worked in a textile company and began working as a freelance stylist in 1967....
to re-create a number of Gernreich's designs and make them available to the retail market. Together the duo went through the Gernreich archives and selected key pieces to be re-released under the Comme des Garçons label. In 2003 the "*moffitt" line was finally released as a series of t-shirts (some depicting Moffitt's image), as well as a range of trousers.