Hermione Farthingale

Hermione Farthingale, born Hermione Dennis in Edenbridge, Kent, is a talented actress and dancer whose career spans several artistic disciplines. Raised in a family with a legal background, Farthingale pursued her passion for dance, training under renowned British dancer Lindsay Kemp and becoming a skilled ballet dancer. Her professional journey began with the Kemp Theatre Group in London, where she showcased her dance talents.

In 1969, Farthingale made her film debut in "Dancing Shoes," marking the transition from dance to acting. Her life took a notable turn when she met David Bowie in late 1967 during one of Kemp's classes. The two quickly became romantically involved, sharing a flat in South Kensington shortly thereafter. Together with guitarist John Hutchinson, they formed the group Feathers, which performed a unique blend of folk, Merseybeat, poetry, and mime across a handful of concerts from late 1968 to early 1969. Their collaboration was documented in a feature by Sheila More in The Times, highlighting their artistic synergy.

Following her split from Bowie in 1969, Farthingale shifted her focus to her acting career, particularly in the film "Song of Norway." The end of their relationship inspired Bowie to pen "Letter to Hermione," a tribute that appeared on his self-titled album. Farthingale is also believed to be the inspiration behind the iconic "girl with the mousy hair" in Bowie's "Life on Mars" and contributed to his song "An Occasional Dream."