Lap of honour

A leading model and muse of the Swinging Sixties, Pattie Boyd was married to George Harrison and Eric Clapton and inspired some of the greatest love songs of all time. Pattie is a fan of vintage cars, Bob Dylan and her dog, Freddie (Mercury). A passionate photographer, Pattie is a regular at both Revival and Glorious.

Words by Catherine Peel

Pattie Boyd

WHEN I WAS A MODEL, I wanted to be friends with Jean Shrimpton, but she was always slightly out of reach. In my eyes, she was just too glamorous and too beautiful. Twiggy was adorable – so fresh, so fun and so fabulous with that gamine haircut. We met and quickly became friends.

I’M GRATEFUL THAT I WAS THERE [in the 1960s] as we were striding forward and doing things differently from our parents. We broke the mould.

WHEN I WAS QUITE YOUNG, I saved up and bought myself a camera and asked everyone I worked with technical questions about photography. I was lucky enough to work with some of the best fashion photographers in the world. Photography at that time was changing dramatically – John French’s work was beautiful and classic, but then David Bailey and Brian Duffy had a totally different approach. I have a studio at home and still love taking photographs.

MANY OF MY PHOTOGRAPHS are from when I was with

The Beatles and Eric (Clapton). I have a new book of photographs that are either by me or of me out this autumn. It is how I express myself. THE SWINGING SIXTIES were just as fabulous as people imagine. We lived in an amazing era – young girls today don’t seem to have the freedom that we had. Now the world feels more closed, and everyone has to be so careful about what they say and to whom. We were the complete opposite.

WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR SEVENTIES, your figure just isn’t the same as it was when you were 20, so although I have kept a couple of clothes for sentimental reasons, I can no longer wear them. Fashion is a fantasy, and it comes and goes.

FOR REVIVAL, I WOULD CHOOSE a 1960s outfit, with hipster wide trousers and a cool little jacket. In fact, I still backcomb my hair sometimes – it’s a great look. The 1940s really aren’t me – I’m 1960s through and through.

I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY so many people, but I have particular admiration for Bob Dylan, who is an amazing poet and so wise. I could never exactly capture him, even though I met him, he’s elusive and quite magical.

IT’S SUCH A JOY to see the vintage cars in all their glory at Revival. The first car I owned was a bright orange Mini, which I adored. I love old racing cars, particularly those by Frazer Nash and Aston Martin – the DB4 and DB5 are favourites. And I would love to drive a Bristol Car around the Goodwood track.

EVERY YEAR I go to Glorious Goodwood for the horse racing, and Goodwoof is a great new idea. My husband and I are completely in love with our dog, an Irish terrier called Freddie (after Freddie Mercury, obviously), and I am definitely bringing him.

IF I COULD GIVE ADVICE to my 18-year-old self, it would be not to say yes and grab everything without thinking about it. I love spontaneity, but being impulsive is not always a good idea. A bit of space and time is sometimes what’s needed.

Pattie Boyd’s book My Life in Pictures is out this autumn (Reel Art Press)