Peggy Moffitt, the sixties-era model and style icon, passed away in Beverly Hills at the age of 87. Best known for her striking five-point Vidal Sassoon haircut and signature harlequin eye makeup, Moffitt became a living symbol of avant-garde fashion, pushing boundaries in an era ripe for change. Her collaboration with the visionary designer Rudi Gernreich was nothing short of revolutionary, most famously marked by her modeling of the 1964 monokini—a bold statement that shook the fashion world to its core.
Born in Los Angeles, Moffitt’s path to becoming a fashion legend was far from typical. She initially pursued acting, studying under greats like Sydney Pollack and Martha Graham alongside classmates such as Robert Duvall. However, her destiny took a turn when she met photographer William Claxton in 1958. Inspired by his work and their mutual love for creativity, she ventured into modeling, and the two married a year later.
Moffitt’s background in ballet lent a graceful fluidity to her modeling, catching the eye of Gernreich, with whom she shared a deep appreciation for art, design, and a touch of humor. Their partnership was a creative synergy that produced iconic images and moments that continue to inspire to this day. From the controversial monokini to the first-ever fashion video in 1967, Moffitt and Claxton, along with Gernreich, redefined what fashion could be.
Moffitt remained fiercely loyal to Gernreich’s vision throughout her career, even after his death in 1985. She owned over 300 of his pieces, many one-of-a-kind, and continued to wear his designs well into her later years. In 2019, some of thesepieces, including the infamous monokini, were showcased in the ‘Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich’ exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center in L.A.
Despite her groundbreaking contributions to fashion, Moffitt never sought the limelight. Yet, her legacy is far more than that single moment. It’s a legacy of creativity, boldness, and the unyielding pursuit of self-expression.
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