Jean Shrimpton

Shrimpton was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and educated at St Bernard's Convent School, Slough. She enrolled at Langham Secretarial College in London at age 17. A chance meeting with director Cy Endfield led to an unsuccessful meeting with the producer of his film Mysterious Island (1961). Endfield then suggested she attend the Lucie Clayton Charm Academy's model course.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/apr/30/saturday-interview-jean-shrimpton |title=The Saturday interview: Jean Shrimpton |date=30 April 2011 |work=The Guardian |author=Wade, Alex }} In 1960, aged 17, she began modelling, appearing on the covers of magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosellers.com/features109.htm |title=Twiggy and The Shrimp – By Bill Harry |website=Retrosellers.com |access-date=30 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823111451/http://www.retrosellers.com/features109.htm |archive-date=23 August 2011 }}

Shrimpton rose to prominence through her work with photographer David Bailey. They met in 1960 at a photo shoot that Shrimpton, who was then an unknown model, was working on with photographer Brian Duffy for a Kellogg's corn flakes advertisement.{{cite news|title=The Shrimpton Story|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100303-david-bailey-on-jean-shrimpton-.aspx|date=3 March 2010|author=Bumpus, Jessica|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306081000/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100303-david-bailey-on-jean-shrimpton-.aspx|archive-date=6 March 2010|work=Vogue}} Duffy told Bailey she was too posh for him, but Bailey was undeterred.

Shrimpton's first photo session with Bailey was in 1960 (either for Condé Nast's Brides on 7 December 1960{{cite journal|title=Two take Manhattan|journal=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2007/mar/17/weekend7.weekend1 |date=17 March 2007 |author=Muir, Robin}}{{cite web|title='That Bob Richardson was commissioned for Brides is like finding Charles Manson...(subscription required)|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1690955.html |date=29 June 2002 |work=The Independent |author=Muir, Robin}} or for British Vogue).{{cite news |title=Bailey rolls back the years for Vogue at 90 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1533376/Bailey-rolls-back-the-years-for-Vogue-at-90.html |author=Alexander, Hilary |date=6 November 2006 |work=Telegraph}} She started to become known in the modelling world around the time she was working with Bailey. Shrimpton has stated she owed Bailey her career, and he is often credited for discovering her{{cite news |title=In the raw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2005/sep/17/photography |work=Guardian |date=17 September 2005}} and being influential in her career.{{cite news |title=The shortest century and the greatest party |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/15/1044927847172.html |author=Collette, Adrian |work=The Age|date=16 February 2003 | location=Melbourne}} In turn, she was Bailey's muse, and his photographs of her helped him rise to prominence in his early career.Louth, Sean.[https://archive.today/20120720051327/http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=448760 Initially Bailey...] British Journal of Photography.[http://www.steidlville.com/books/492-NY-JS-DB-62.html NY JS DB 62 by David Bailey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708013653/http://www.steidlville.com/books/492-NY-JS-DB-62.html |date=8 July 2010 }} Steidlville.comDavid Bailey and Martin Harrison. Birth of the Cool: 1957–1969{{cite news |title=David Bailey: Godfather of cool |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1390510.stm |date=15 June 2001 |work=BBC News }}

During her career, Shrimpton was widely reported to be the "world's highest paid model",{{cite news |title=The girl behind the world's most beautiful face |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19670108&id=6wssAAAAIBAJ&pg=3967,1120155|work=Family Weekly|date=8 January 1967 |author=Bocca, Geoffrey}}{{cite news |title=Shrimp shines up Londonderry hair |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hBoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6085,1830301&dq|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |author=Polly |date=12 June 1967 }}{{cite news |title=Not the Very Model of a Modern Major Mannequin |date=19 August 1968 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/513071702.html?dids=513071702:513071702&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+19%2C+1968&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Not+the+Very+Model+of+a+Modern+Major+Mannequin&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102023515/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/513071702.html?dids=513071702:513071702&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+19,+1968&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Not+the+Very+Model+of+a+Modern+Major+Mannequin&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 November 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times |author=Hammond, Fay}}{{cite news |work=Milwaukee Journal |title=American designs best 'London Look' |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Bh8qAAAAIBAJ&pg=5313,5443013&dq |date=8 June 1967}} the "most famous model"{{cite news |title=Most photographed model reticent about her role |author=Cloud, Barbara |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=REsqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7034,4428159&dq |date=11 June 1967 |work=The Pittsburgh Press}}{{cite news |title=A womb with a view |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3290212/A-womb-with-a-view.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205083239/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3290212/A-womb-with-a-view.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2008 |work=Telegraph |date=23 June 2001 |author=Morris, Ann | location=London}} and the "most photographed in the world". She was also described as having the "world's most beautiful face" and as "the most beautiful girl in the world".{{cite news |title=Ex-window designer London Look winner |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QksqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7110,3747150&dq=shrimp |date=9 June 1967 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |author=Cloud, Barbara}}{{cite news |title=Clippings on 3 March 1969 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17611025/ |newspaper=Independent |location=Los Angeles |date=3 March 1969|page=24}}{{cite news |title=Melbourne Cup memories: The legs that stopped a nation |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/01/sport/jean-shrimpton-melbourne-cup-fashion/ |date=1 November 2012 |publisher=CNN |author=McKenzie, Sheena}} She was dubbed "The It Girl", "The Face", "The Face of the Moment", and "The Face of the '60s".{{cite journal|title=Being 'ordinary' has its rewards|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vbwlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1375,3301427&dq|journal=The Miami News|date=30 June 1980}} Glamour named her "Model of The Year" in June 1963. She contrasted with the aristocratic-looking models of the 1950s by representing the coltish, gamine look of the youthquake movement in 1960s Swinging London,[https://archive.today/20130123172332/http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/14/model-muse-pictures-generation-opinions-art-review-metropolitan-museum_slide_4.html Jean Shrimpton in London of Sloane Street coat, 1964, by David Bailey] Forbes.com and she was reported as "the symbol of Swinging London". Breaking the popular mould of voluptuous figures{{Cite book |title=Hunger strike: the anorectic's struggle as a metaphor for our age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tu53Tyi_aasC&pg=PA53 |author=Orbach, Suzie|date = January 2005|page=53| publisher=Karnac Books |isbn = 9781855753778}} with her long legs and slim figure, she was nicknamed "The Shrimp".[http://www.nelsonthornes.com/aqagce/AS%20sample%20material/Head%20of%20History/History%20%E2%80%93%2060s/A%20level%20History%2060's%20sample.pdf Changes in culture and society in the sixties]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} nelsonthornes.com Shrimpton was also known for her long hair with a fringe,{{Cite book|title=From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century|author=Mansour, David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b1ruwF6xYNIC&pg=PA430|isbn=0-7407-5118-2|year=2005|publisher=Andrews McMeel }}{{cite journal|title='Funny Girl' Can Become Beautiful Girl|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v_0LAAAAIBAJ&dq=jean%20shrimpton&pg=4700%2C5408059|date=23 January 1969|journal=The Evening Independent}} wide doe-eyes,{{cite journal|title=A striking combo:broadtail and fringe|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/style/27iht-rwrap.html|journal=The New York Times|date=28 February 2005|author=Menkes, Suzy}}{{cite news|title=The Look bounces back in Milan with 'Shrimp Clones' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/catwalkdiaries/milan/3338721/The-Look-bounces-back-in-Milan-with-Shrimp-Clones.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421084714/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/catwalkdiaries/milan/3338721/The-Look-bounces-back-in-Milan-with-Shrimp-Clones.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 April 2013|author=Alexander, Hilary|date=28 February 2005 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cite journal|title=He focused on the most fashionable faces of the '60s |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB2972DF3373F16&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=18 February 1984|journal=The Philadelphia Inquirer}} long wispy eyelashes, arched brows,[https://books.google.com/books?id=1WQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 Glossary: Season 1] The Advocate p. 38. 20 November 2001. and pouty lips.{{cite journal|title=Pout power Fashionable lips are getting fuller now, just like Ms. Hershey's kisses |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24541293.html?dids=24541293:24541293&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+18%2C+1989&author=Barbara+Cloud%2C+Scripps+Howard+News+Service.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102023531/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24541293.html?dids=24541293:24541293&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+18,+1989&author=Barbara+Cloud,+Scripps+Howard+News+Service.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2012|journal=Chicago Tribune|author=Cloud, Barbara|date=18 January 1989}}

File:ABC Jean Shrimpton.ogv news report on Jean Shrimpton's visit to the Melbourne Cup.]]

Shrimpton helped launch the miniskirt.[http://www.fabsugar.com/Style-Icon-Jean-Shrimpton-35014 Style icon: Jean Shrimpton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127022538/http://www.fabsugar.com/Style-Icon-Jean-Shrimpton-35014 |date=27 November 2010 }} 18 September 2006. Fabsugar.com In 1965, she made a two-week promotional visit to Australia, sponsored by the Victoria Racing Club and a local synthetic fibre company who had her promote a range of new dresses made of Orlon. She was paid a fee of £2,000, an enormous sum at the time. She caused a sensation in Melbourne when she arrived for the Victoria Derby wearing a white shift dress made by Colin Rolfe which ended {{convert|5|in|cm|abbr=on}} above her knees. She wore no hat, stockings or gloves, and sported a man's watch, unusual at the time. Her hairdresser was Lillian Frank. Shrimpton was unaware she would cause such reaction in the Melbourne community and media.{{cite web|title=Jean Shrimpton in Melbourne|url=http://www.milesago.com/Features/shrimpton.htm|access-date=27 May 2021|website=Milesago.com}}{{Cite news |last=Meacham |first=Savannah |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-socialite-lillian-frank-dies-aged-92/26121529-07b6-4328-a38a-f51195a24455 |title=Melbourne socialite Lillian Frank dies aged 92 |website=9news.com.au |date=13 August 2022 |access-date=14 August 2022}}

In her article "The Man in the Bill Blass Suit", Nora Ephron wrote that when Shrimpton posed for a Revlon advertisement in an antique white Chantilly lace dress by Blass, minutes after the lipstick placard was displayed at the drugstores, Revlon received calls from women demanding to know where they could buy the dress.{{cite news|title=The Man in the Bill Blass Suit|author=Ephron, Nora|work=Wallflower at the Orgy|date= 2007|edition=Reprint of the article}}

Shrimpton was photographed in 1971 by Clive Arrowsmith, again for British Vogue.{{Cite web|url=https://clivearrowsmith.org/2018/09/04/the-legendary-jean-shrimpton-1971/|title=The Legendary Jean Shrimpton (1971)|date=4 September 2018|website=Clive Arrowsmith Photographer|language=en-US|access-date=18 May 2019}}

Shrimpton and Bailey began dating soon after they began working together, and subsequently had a four-year relationship that ended in 1964.{{cite web|title=PDN Legends Online: David Bailey|url=http://pdngallery.com/legends/bailey/interview03.shtml#|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224152113/http://www.pdngallery.com/legends/bailey/interview03.shtml|archive-date=24 December 2009|website=PDNGallery.com}} Bailey was still married to his first wife Rosemary Bramble when the affair began, but left her after nine months and later divorced her to be with Shrimpton.{{cite journal|title=The Women David Bailey Photographs Become His Lovers, and Marie Helvin Is the Latest|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20069149,00.html|journal=People|volume=8|number=13|author=Hauptfuhrer, Fred|date=26 September 1977|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113100643/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20067955,00.html|archive-date=2010-11-13}}

Shrimpton's other romances included actor Terence Stamp and photographer Terry O'Neill.{{cite news|title=Terry O'Neill obituary|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/terry-oneill-obituary-f5cnhgd8d|work=The Times|date=17 November 2019|url-access=subscription}} In 1979, she married photographer Michael Cox{{cite journal|title=Once the Face of the '60s, Jean Shrimpton Is Now the Model of An English Innkeeper|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082409,00.html|journal=People|volume=17|number=23|author=Jones, Jerene|date=14 June 1982}} at the register office in Penzance, Cornwall, when she was four months pregnant with their son Thaddeus, who was born that same year.{{cite news|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=29 September 1985|title=The Shrimp's running a hotel|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/474622061.html?dids=474622061:474622061&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+29%2C+1985&author=Mitchell+Smyth+Toronto+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=The+Shrimp%27s+running+a+hotel&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131150111/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/474622061.html?dids=474622061:474622061&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+29,+1985&author=Mitchell+Smyth+Toronto+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=The+Shrimp's+running+a+hotel&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2013|author=Smyth, Mitchell}} They own the Abbey Hotel in Penzance, managed by Thaddeus and his family.{{cite web|title=The Abbey Hotel FAQ|url=http://www.theabbeyonline.co.uk/The_Abbey_Hotel_-_FAQ.html|access-date=5 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902042812/http://www.theabbeyonline.co.uk/The_Abbey_Hotel_-_FAQ.html|archive-date=2 September 2011}}

Shrimpton is namechecked (as "Jeannie Shrimpton") in The Smithereens song "Behind the Wall of Sleep" (1986).{{cite web|url=http://officialsmithereens.com/96/behind-the-wall-of-sleep-video/|title=Especially for You (1986)|access-date=27 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014171928/http://officialsmithereens.com/96/behind-the-wall-of-sleep-video/|archive-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|website=officialsmithereens.com}}

The story of Shrimpton's relationship with David Bailey is dramatised in a 2012 BBC Four film We'll Take Manhattan, with Karen Gillan playing the part of Shrimpton.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ndbn6|title=We'll Take Manhattan|work=BBC News |access-date=26 January 2012}}{{cite journal|journal=Daily Express|date=2 August 2011|title=Return of the Shrimp|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/262566/Karen-Gillan-in-return-of-The-Shrimp|author=Carpenter, Julie}}{{cite book|title=We'll Take Manhattan|date=2012|publisher=IMDb}|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1885440/}}

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• {{Cite book|author=Shrimpton, Jean |title=My Own Story: The Truth About Modelling |date=1964–1965 |publisher=Bantam Books |ol=13345124W}}
• {{cite book|last1=Shrimpton |first1=Jean |last2=Hall |first2=Unity |title=Jean Shrimpton: My Autobiography|date=1990|publisher=Ebury|location=London|isbn=0852238584}}

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• {{Fashionmodel}}

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Category:1942 births

Category:Living people

Category:Actresses from High Wycombe

Category:English female models

Category:English film actresses

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Category:English women autobiographers

Category:People educated at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

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Category:Models from Buckinghamshire