Two cool guys

On more than one occasion on these pages I've said that I believe today's birthday boy Jeremy Irons may be the most beautiful man ever created. I still believe that. Happy Birthday Sir Jeremy.

However, the woman who shares Jeremy's birthday minus one, represented an entire generation. Imagine the swinging sixty's, the British invasion, the mods without thinking of Twiggy. Can't be done.


Although only 16 in 1966, 5'6" and a svelte 31-22-32 on her 90 pound frame, her face was everywhere. Magazine covers, advertisements, television. The Face of the Year 1966.

Naturally, then as now, her wraith-like body stirred up loads of controversy. She was too thin, emaciated, when in fact if she was too anything, she was simply too young.


Her big eyes,3 layers of false eyelashes and lots of eyeliner, boyish haircut and Mary Quant's A line mini-dresses and geometric prints defined mid 60's fashion.


Much as the Stones or Beatles forever changed music, at a time when kids began having spending power Twiggy influenced fashion.

Still very attractive.

Happy Birthday Lesley.

toad

The Peacock's Anachronism

I've written before that I believe Mr. Irons may be the most beautiful man ever invented, and take cold comfort knowing he is somewhat older than I. Still, I am envious of his 30+ year marriage, knowing I'll be very old before hitting that landmark. I even pretend he dresses himself.

As gorgeous as he was in the original Brideshead Revisted, today we concentrate on his role as Rupert Gould in Longitude (2000). An early scene, set in immediate post WW I England had him wearing a navy suit with wing collared shirt, a shirt style which was then becoming an anachronism. Worn with a polka dot bow tie he was stunning. Since whenever I wear a tie it is always a bow, I've longed for a non formal wing collared shirt since.

Imagin photos of the salesman's patron saint, Winston Churchill, and

Edwardian era Vanity Fair drawings.



I had designed and redesigned MY shirt hundreds of times over, never once considering, much less answering the question of why I needed an anachronism. I could have consulted the master ADG , but I didn't need to be egged on, I just needed to do it.

My opportunity came early November. A Groupon offer by a local haberdasher offered 2 custom shirts for 1 low price. I snapped it up. 16 weeks into a 6 to 8 week schedule, including 6 days for UPS to ship the package across town, the goods arrived Tuesday.

Cream, (I don't care for white) with all my bells and whistles. I like it, but it falls under the I'm going to have to wear this, lest it wear me category, taking pains not to dress like either Hercule Poirot, or a waiter. The French placket front may have been the step too far. Nonetheless, perfect for dressing for dinner at the manse.

Toad

You choose.

At the gym today my IPOD continually shuffled between Jeremy Irons and Sting. I took that as a sign.

Near contemporaries, successful, talented, respected, political, philanthropic, and long married. They may also have the distinction of being the two most beautiful men of their generation.




The life of a screen actor must be terribly neurotic. You go to work, and a year later, the director shows you a film, and tells you to go out and sell it. In the mean time you've done 4 other things, have forgotten the work you're hyping and then have to wait for critics and the audience to give you feedback. For a ham like me, I'd need instant gratification. I'll take the stage, or a rock and roll career any day.

Remember the opening of the Masterpiece Brideshead? Has anyone ever looked like the young Jeremy Irons?



Except perhaps the young Sting?



To my eye they have aged fairly well too.






Part of the Faustian bargain of being married to one of the world's beautiful and accomplished people is knowing how and where to compete, and when to be yourself.

Both men are married to women who were accomplished actresses before marriage.

While Mrs. Sting may appear more the rock star glam wife, Mrs. Irons, an attractive woman in her own right, seems more settled in her own skin.







To each I wish much continued success, although if they each never did another thing, we would have memories for a lifetime.
Toad