Peggy Moffitt (real name Margaret) was an iconic American model and actress, best known for her influential work in the 1960s alongside fashion designer Rudi Gernreich. Her distinctive style, featuring bold makeup and an asymmetrical haircut, left an indelible mark on the fashion world.
The Early Life of Peggy Moffitt
Born on October 2, 1937, in Los Angeles, Margaret Moffitt was the daughter of screenwriter Jack Moffitt and Mary Came Moffitt. She was raised in the Hancock Park neighbourhood and attended the prestigious Marlborough School. After graduating, she moved to New York City to study at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre before returning to Los Angeles to launch her career.
Career
Modeling Beginnings
Moffitt initially pursued acting, making her debut with an uncredited role in the 1955 film You’re Never Too Young. However, it was modeling that truly captured her passion. She started modeling in Paris during the 1950s, but it was in the 1960s that she truly came into her own. Her striking look, characterised by heavy eye makeup and false eyelashes, paired with an asymmetrical “five-point” haircut designed by Vidal Sassoon, made her a fashion icon of the era.
Collaboration with Rudi Gernreich and William Claxton
Moffitt formed a dynamic partnership with her husband, photographer William Claxton, and designer Rudi Gernreich. The trio became inseparable, pushing the boundaries of fashion and photography. Moffitt later reflected on this collaboration, noting how they inspired and elevated one another’s work. She became Gernreich’s muse, embodying his avant-garde designs with unparalleled flair.
The Monokini Controversy
One of the most talked-about moments of Moffitt’s career was her involvement with Gernreich’s controversial monokini design. Initially conceived in 1962 as a bold statement on freedom, the topless swimsuit wasn’t intended for commercial production. However, after a suggestion from Vogue’s Diana Vreeland, Gernreich decided to bring the design to life. During a photo shoot in Montego Bay, the hired models refused to wear the monokini, leading Moffitt to step in.
Reluctant at first, Moffitt agreed to model the swimsuit under strict conditions, ensuring she wouldn’t be exploited. The images, carefully released to the fashion press by Moffitt, Claxton, and Gernreich, became a global sensation, symbolising the radical spirit of the 1960s. Although Moffitt grew weary of the constant focus on the monokini throughout her life, she acknowledged its significance as a political statement.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1985, when the Los Angeles Fashion Group organised a retrospective of Gernreich’s work, Moffitt objected to any attempts to exploit his legacy. After Gernreich’s passing, she took charge of preserving his designs, culminating in the exhibition The Total Look: The Creative Collaboration Between Rudi Gernreich, “Peggy” Moffitt, and William Claxton at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art’s Pacific Design Center. She also co-authored a comprehensive book chronicling Gernreich’s groundbreaking designs.
Personal Life and Death
Moffitt married William Claxton in 1959, and they welcomed their son, Christopher, in 1973. The couple remained devoted to each other until Claxton’s death in 2008. Margaret Moffitt passed away on August 10, 2024, at her home in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 86, following complications related to dementia.
