Actress and model Peggy Moffett, who became a fashion icon in the 1960s after wearing designer Rudi Gernreich's famous nude swimsuit and other daring looks of the era, died Saturday in Beverly Hills at the age of 86.
Her son, Christopher Clacton, told The New York Times that she died of complications from dementia.
Moffett's husband, the famous photographer William Clacton, took the photo, which caused a sensation with its daring design of a swimsuit held up only by thin straps, with no top. The 1964 photo, first published in Look magazine and then a more explicit version in Women's Wear Daily, was banned in some countries, even though her arms covered her breasts in some poses.
The actor and model was working at a trendy store in Beverly Hills when Gernreich asked him to take her picture, even though she made it clear she would never wear it in public. In an era when bikinis were just becoming acceptable, the swimsuit he wore was considered a major scandal, though she later said, “It was a political statement. It wasn't meant to be worn in public.”
Born in Los Angeles, she aspired to be an actress, taking classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where Sydney Pollack was her acting teacher. Her first screen role was an uncredited appearance in You're Never Too Young.
She was signed by Paramount Pictures and appeared in the films “Senior Prom” and “Girls Town”.
Moffett appeared in films including Michelangelo Antonioni's “Blow-Up,” playing a model in the 1966 classic about a fashion photographer.
Her other film roles included Franco Rosi's 1962 Los Angeles-set “Smog”, the French fashion satire “Who Are You, Polly Magoo?”, an episode of “Batman” in which she played model Gernreich, and the fashion short film “Basic Black”.
The models in “Blow-up” were Jill Kennington, left, Melanie Hampshire (kneeling), Anna Norman, Peggy Moffett, and Rosalyn Murray.
Courtesy of Everett Group
Although Moffett did not have the looks of a traditional fashion model, her bold hair and makeup were a perfect complement to the brightly colored, modern designs of the era.
She made a fashion statement again when she appeared on the cover of Time magazine wearing a short, geometric haircut by Vidal Sassoon.
Moffett married William Clacton, famous for his photographs of jazz musicians, in 1959; he died in 2008. She is survived by her son.
