When Mod muse meets a modern Lambretta and fashion meets fuel, and mini-skirts collide with metalflake, the result was always going to turn heads. Stu Smith reports…
If ever there was a scooter that could strut down a catwalk, then ‘It’s a Twiggy World’ would be the one to do it in style. This Lambretta GP125, built by designer and scooterist Mark Levell, is a tribute to one of Britain’s most enduring fashion icons, Twiggy, and a perfect fusion of performance engineering and pop-art flair.
Concept
Mark’s background in design, branding, and fashion gave him the unique ability to merge style and substance in perfect balance. “Twiggy was the face of the Sixties, young, rebellious, chic, and totally original, a bit like my daughter, Isabelle. So, the scooter had to be all of that too.” He explained.
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From the metallic mist of the moon-dust basecoat to the final copper-plated bolt, It’s a Twiggy World was built with that mantra. The paintwork, executed by the ever-reliable duo of Dave Addis and Doony, sparkles with iridescent energy. Beneath the light, the bodywork reveals subtle fashion roundels in rich, playful colours: emerald green, magenta, sunshine yellow, and warm rose… a palette straight from Carnaby Street circa 1966.
Twiggy’s face appears across the panels in black and white; the exterior images were borrowed from three original 1967 photographs, which have been reinterpreted and stylised with pop-art pastiche echoing the work of Andy Warhol, while retaining that unmistakable Twiggy charm: the wide eyes, the cheeky grin, and unmistakable expression. Twiggy was bold and beautiful, but never overdone, and Mark wanted to reflect that sophistication through the artwork and graphics.
Feminine Form
The GP has always been the more modern performance model of the Lambretta range. But in this case, Mark has softened the cut, introducing curves that play to the feminine energy of Twiggy herself. The result is a mechanical paradox: graceful and gutsy, slender but strong. “The GP’s got that inherent masculinity, but Twiggy’s look softens those curves with delicacy, and that’s all about contrast. So I worked with that, the curly exhaust echoes a woman’s silhouette, and the use of circles throughout the build softens the whole aesthetic.”
It’s a Twiggy World isn’t just about looks; beneath the couture exterior beats the heart of a soul developed with performance in mind. The upgraded engine is fitted with a TS1-240 kit, a Dellorto carburetor, and an exhaust system that balances grace, power, and performance. The set-up was developed by Carl Neath Racing and was built to give the engine a silky-smooth power delivery: quick, responsive, and full of torque. “It had to perform as well as it looked because Twiggy wasn’t just about looking good; she had presence, movement, and energy, and that’s what we also wanted to achieve mechanically.” Mark smiled.
Transformation
The scooter’s deeper genius lies in its hidden layers. Mark has transformed every inch into a tactile experience, like a bespoke garment that rewards a curious touch. One of Mark’s cleverest touches was addressing the issue of limited space. By incorporating a long-range fuel tank, he sacrificed the conventional toolbox, but then turned that limitation into inspiration. When the seat is lifted, beneath it sits a laid-out neatly, ready-to-use, brushed copper-plated toolkit, representing more of a jewellery box than a toolbox.
The seat itself was designed by Mark and is a work of art in its own right. Unzip the suede seat cover, a playful nod to a sixties dress, and you’ll find another image of Twiggy inside, along with a genuine Twiggy brand dress label imported from the U.S. “It’s a detail hardly anyone sees or notices, but we know it’s there, and when it’s revealed, it develops a cheeky smile of appreciation from onlookers.”
Under the flywheel side panel, sit bespoke period-style perfume bottles, which are usable as 2-stroke oil holders; pure 1960s charm. They sit like relics from Twiggy’s dressing table, and fastened to the rear mudguard is a faux-vintage handbag, which is available to conceal modern necessities such as a mobile phone and maybe even a bit of lippy for the road: practicality wrapped in pure glamour. Drawing on the female side of the scooter, Mark said, “Everything’s tidy, clean, and where it should be.”
The visual harmony of the scooter is a delicate dance between warmth and shine, which was one of Mark’s most important aesthetic decisions. “Rose gold was everywhere in the Sixties, so we wanted to replicate that. Too much chrome would’ve killed the softness.” He explained.
Around the scooter, copper accents trace the bodylines like jewellery: understated, sophisticated, and perfectly in tune with the era. The white handlebar grips and pinstripes reference the white gloves worn by stylish sixties women, and every colour and texture tells part of the story. The horn cast is an absolute gem. The badge adorning it is based on an original brooch worn by Twiggy; “You can’t fake authenticity, if you’re going to pay tribute to someone like her, you go all in.”
Pop Art
The graphics follow a rhythm of respectful rebellion. On the leg shields, the word WILD bursts through in bold pop-art script, which is a link to Twiggy’s youthful mischief and the heady, hedonistic nights of the Swinging Sixties. Elsewhere, the phrase “Just Love Me (For Me)” appears delicately across the bridge piece; this is Mark’s personal message to Twiggy and a gentle reminder of her enduring individuality. The lighting, too, has its own drama. When darkness falls, tiny LEDs illuminate the colourful custom horn grill and the rear frame-loop badge, creating a halo effect that gives the vibe of a 60s nightclub.
For Isabelle, the scooter world isn’t a recent fling; it’s in her blood. “Dad’s always been into scooters; I’ve grown up surrounded by them. I’ve always loved how creative people can be with them and how they reflect individual personalities and choices.” Isabelle’s first rally was Brighton 2017, a memory still vivid: “It was electric, the noise, the colours, the sense of belonging… everyone’s got the same passion but expresses it differently.” That creative diversity is precisely what It’s a Twiggy World celebrates: individuality in motion. And if you think a scooter dedicated to a Sixties fashion icon might not hold its own, think again.
Mark’s years in branding and design clearly shine through; his approach wasn’t about assembling parts but about composing an experience. Every element throughout the project was tested for its contribution to the overall story because a build like this has to have a direction and narrative; otherwise… it’s all just decoration. This is a scooter that’s very much like Twiggy, confident yet playful, bold yet elegant, instantly recognisable yet completely individual and on the road it turns heads, and that’s not because it’s loud or showy; it’s because it has that elusive quality that true style always has: restraint with personality.
Statement
Underneath the gloss, It’s a Twiggy World is far more than a themed custom scooter; it’s an artistic statement and an exploration of how design, nostalgia, and engineering can merge into something genuinely new. Every element serves a purpose: aesthetic, symbolic, or mechanical. Embedded within that is a masterclass in striking the balance between fashion and function, masculinity and femininity, heritage and reinvention; it’s bold, beautiful, and brilliantly British, which is much like the fashion icon who inspired it.
Words: Stu Smith
Photos: Gary Chapman
Acknowledgement: Thanks to DiscoDez Scooters for support with the photoshoot.
Owner and machine
Name: Isabelle Levell.
Scooter club & town: B62 S.C. Halesowen and Stourbridge S.C.
Most memorable rally: Brighton 2017 with my dad; it was great and such an exciting experience.
Name of scooter: It’s a Twiggy World.
Scooter model: Lambretta GP125.
Kit: TS1-240.
Carb: Dellorto.
Exhaust: Curly.
Front & Rear brakes: Nissin front disc; standard rear.
Front & Rear suspension: BGM adjustable front and ProTech adjustable rear.
Time to build & by who: Approximately eighteen months by Mark Levell and Steve Poole.
Seat by: Cool Italia.
Paintwork by: Dave Addis and Doony.
Any advice for people starting a project: Research, then research again.
Thanks to: My dad and Steve Poole, who was a rock, and Carl Neath for a fantastic engine.
Article originally appeared in Scootering Mag July 2026 issue. To subscribe with a great offer and get your mag delivered visit HERE
