Actress and social activist Mia Farrow, who turns 70 today, is a legend for many reasons. From her breakout role in 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby to 1974’s The Great Gatsby, the actress holds many notable distinctions (including being on the first-ever issue of People, InStyle‘s sister publication). But the one we here at InStyle will always be thankful to her for? Introducing us to the pixie.
And, according to Farrow, the hairstyle was her creation, not that of the late Vidal Sassoon, who often gets credited for the iconic cut due to a scene in Rosemary’s Baby. In 2013, Farrow explained to The New York Times:
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I had literally cut it myself earlier that year—with a pair of fingernail scissors—while working on the Peyton Place TV series at Fox Studios. This was long before I ever heard of Vidal Sassoon.
My then-boyfriend, Frank Sinatra, loved the cut, and so I kept it short. (I purchased some hair scissors; then, as now, I cut it myself.) Vidal Sassoon is mentioned in the book Rosemary’s Baby and the film. So, Paramount decided to stage a photo shoot in which Mr. Sassoon trimmed my 1 1/2-inch hair to 1 inch. The whole event was taken in good spirits. (I wore a wig during the earlier scenes.) I intend no disrespect to Mr. Sassoon, but he had nothing to do with my haircut.
Consider the record set straight! (Something Farrow clearly isn’t afraid to do, considering her RT-worthy Twitter feed.)
Feeling inspired for your own short crop? (Though maybe you want to leave this one to the pros.) Peruse our roundup of the best pixies we’ve spotted as of late, from Helen Mirren to Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting.
PHOTOS: Salon Inspiration: The Latest Pixies and Short Crops