Peggy Moffitt, who became a 1960s fashion icon who wore designer Rudy Gernreich’s famous topless bathing suit designs and other bold looks of the era, died Saturday in Beverly Hills. She is 86 years old.
His son was Christopher Claxton told the New York Times She died of complications from dementia.
Moffitt’s husband, famed photographer William Claxton, took the photo for the daring design of the bathing suit, which was supported only by thin straps without a top. Photo from 1964, originally published in Look A more revealing version of women’s wear everydayHer arms covered her breasts in some poses, though it was banned in some countries.
The actor and model were working at a trendy Beverly Hills boutique when Zernrich asked her to pose, although she noted that she wouldn’t wear it in public. In an era when bikinis were acceptable, her monokini was considered highly scandalous, though she later said, “It was a political statement. It is not meant to be worn in public.
Born in Los Angeles, she aspired to act and took classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York under acting teacher Sidney Pollock. His first screen role was an uncredited appearance in „You’re Never Too Young”.
Paramount Pictures signed her to a contract, and she appeared in „Senior Prom” and „Girls Town.”
Moffitt appeared in films including Michelangelo Antonioni’s „Blow-Up,” where she played a model in the 1966 classic about a fashion photographer.
Franco Rossi’s 1962 LA-set cult film “Smoke,” the French fashion satire “Who Are You, Paulie Magoo?”, a runway model for Gernreich in an episode of “Batman,” and a short fashion film. Basic black.”
Models in „Blow-Up” are Jill Kennington, left, Melanie Hampshire (knee), Ann Norman, Becky Moffitt and Rosaleen Murray.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Although Moffitt did not have the look of a typical high fashion model, her bold hair and makeup were the perfect accompaniment to the brightly colored, modernist designs of the era.
She influenced fashion once again when she appeared on the cover of Time magazine wearing a fierce geometric bob designed by Vidal Sassoon.
Moffitt married William Claxton, famous for his photographs of jazz musicians, in 1959; He died in 2008. He is with his son.