Born 1943 in the village of Riby, Lincolnshire, British model and photographer Jill Kennington started at Michael Whittaker’s small “school” for aspiring models at the age of 18 and after only two days, met Norman Hartnell who was about to do a major UK tour; he declared, “Darling, you are going to be my mascot”. She toured as one of Hartnell’s models for about a month’s time.
Jill Kennington in the 1960s
Kennington met photographer John Cowan in February 1962 and it was through her work with Cowan that she made her name as a model in the 1960s. Cowan injected action and dynamism into his shoots that had previously been lacking in fashion photography.
Kennington was twice on the front cover of Vogue. She has also worked with the photographers David Bailey, Terence Donovan, Brian Duffy, Helmut Newton, Jeanloup Sieff, Richard Avedon, William Klein, and Bob Richardson.
Kennington discussed her transition from model to photographer in an interview with Vogue in 2013. She continues to work as a model and is represented by TESS Management. Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of a young model Jill Kennington in the 1960s.
Jill Kennington wearing hooded jersey with shorts by Macinnes Tartans, photo by John Cowan, June 1963
‘A Lady in Black’, photo by Jeanloup Sieff of model Jill Kennington in the English countryside, Queen magazine, 1964
Jill Kennington in a cobweb of crystals and pearls for a sweater worn over layers of white chiffon culottes by Belinda Belville, shoes by Bally, photo by Terence Donovan, Harper’s Bazaar UK, May 1964
Jill Kennington in geranium red leather-bound tweed coat over jersey jumper and pants by Bonnie Cashin, photo by Terence Donovan, Harper’s Bazaar UK, January 1964
Jill Kennington in hip-belted suit with latch-on fastening in baby pink Moygashel linen by Louis Féraud, sisal hat by Reed Crawford, photo by Terence Donovan, Harper’s Bazaar UK, May 1964
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