The model and actress, who became a mod icon in the 1960s wearing Rudi Gernreich's famous bathing suit, passed away on Saturday, August 10 at the age of 86.
- August 14, 2024
AceShowbiz - Peggy Moffitt, an iconic model and muse of the 1960s, died on Saturday, August 10 at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She was 86. Her son, Christopher Claxton, announced that the cause of death was complications from dementia.
Moffitt's rise to fame began in 1962 when she started working with designer Rudi Gernreich as a fitting and show model. Drawn to the humor in his designs, she quickly became known for her bold hair and heavy eye makeup that perfectly complemented the era's brightly colored, modernist fashions.
However, it was her 1964 photo shoot for Gernreich's topless bathing suit that cemented her status as a mod icon. The suit, held up by slender straps with no top portion, caused a sensation and was banned in some countries. Moffitt insisted that she would never wear the suit in public, declaring, "It was a political statement. It wasn't meant to be worn in public."
Before her work with Gernreich, Moffitt had aspired to be an actress, taking classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and appearing in several films, including "Blow-Up" and "Smog".
Moffitt's bold style and influence extended beyond fashion. She famously appeared on the cover of Time magazine sporting a geometric bob designed by Vidal Sassoon.
She married renowned photographer William Claxton in 1959, who captured the iconic topless photo of her. Claxton passed away in 2008. Moffitt is survived by her son, Christopher.
