Who remembers the Cadbury Flake girls?
For those who might not know, "Cadbury Flake girl" is a term that harks back to a series of memorable TV adverts by British confectionery giant Cadbury, promoting their Flake chocolate bar.
These ads gained fame in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s for their sumptuous depiction of women luxuriating in the pleasure of eating the chocolate, set against tranquil backdrops like bubble baths and flower-filled meadows.
The campaigns were renowned for their dreamy soft-focus shots, soothing melodies, and an overall theme of decadence. The catchy slogan that accompanied these commercials was "Only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before".
Janis Levy stands out as one of the most iconic faces from these adverts, holding the title of the longest-serving Flake girl.
The adverts have left an indelible mark on British culture, with the image of the Flake girl becoming synonymous with sophistication and delight. Janis is perhaps best known for her amble through a sunflower field before climbing aboard a horse-drawn caravan, creating one of the quintessential ads of the 1980s.
At just 17 years old, Janis became a sensation from the advert, which propelled her into the limelight. She went on to mix with stars like Sylvester Stallone and Joan Collins in LA, securing further acting opportunities.
Back in the heyday, chat show legend Des O'Connor dubbed Janis as the "most famous face on TV whose name you don't know", catapulting her into stardom. This endorsement led to her starring in an impressive 50 more adverts - including ads from Fairy Liquid to Toblerone, and even Asda and TSB.
But, years on, Janis has swapped the glitz of celebrity for entrepreneurial life, running her own business, and she's now unrecognisable from her Flake days, with gorgeous bright red locks.
Janis, known for her luxuriant curls, is the creative director of Hair Development, a company dedicated to hair loss solutions. Her team earned a nomination for the SME National Business Awards in the Positive Impact category last year.
Hairdressing runs through Janis' veins – her father Stanley was equally passionate about the craft. Having honed his skills in Paris, he established his salon in East London during the 70s, which Janis now oversees.
Janis loves her new vocation – seemingly unfazed by stepping away from the spotlight. She shared: "I had the most wonderful time in LA, but I came home when I had my daughter. LA is fabulous - it's exhilarating, but I wanted to come home - and that's when I turned my back on the career."
Discussing how she loves managing a salon, she continued: "It's a very sensitive subject - you look after so many people. It makes a really big difference to how they look and how they feel.
"It's a wonderful transformation to see. It's incredible to make people look and feel better too. I'm very proud of what we do. It's such an expert business.
"For many, many years I was based in front of the camera and being made to look glamorous. It's a long way now from LA - from the make-up and going to the gym every day. You look after number one in LA. We are helping so many people."
