Wenda Parkinson: One of the 20th Century’s Top Models

Wenda Parkinson (née Rogerson) (1923-1987) was a fashion model, author, and wife of Norman Parkinson. Norman Parkinson first met Wenda Rogerson, when she was appearing as a young actress, at The Arts Theatre Club. Several of the underpaid actresses supplemented their salaries through occasional fashion modeling.

Wenda Parkinson in the 1940s and early ’50s

Parkinson was alerted to her beauty and photogenic qualities by Cecil Beaton who had worked with her successfully on one of his sittings.

Wenda married Parkinson in 1947. As well as remaining Parkinson’s muse, lifetime companion and home-maker for the Parkinson homes in Twickenham and Trinidad, Wenda researched and published an important biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture the Haitian slave-turned-revolutionary, entitled This Gilded African in 1978.

Wenda died in 1987. Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of a young Wenda Parkinson in the 1940s and early 1950s.

Wenda Parkinson, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, 1940

Wenda Parkinson in a coat by Aquascutum, Vogue, November 1947

Wenda Parkinson in evening gown by Rahvis, photo by Clifford Coffin, London, April 15, 1947

Wenda Parkinson in fashion by Michelle, photo by Clifford Coffin at Cripplegate Church, London, August 1947

Wenda as seen in Vogue 1948, photo by Norman Parkinson

Wenda Parkinson in beautiful blue satin loose coat over a dress of multiple layers of white tulle and faille by Christian Dior, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, April 1, 1948

Wenda Parkinson wearing evening gown and manteau by Christian Dior, photo by Clifford Coffin, L'Opèra, Paris, February 1948

Wenda Parkinson wearing gown by Christian Dior, photo By Clifford Coffin at Grand Trianon, Versailles, August 17, 1948

Wenda Parkinson wearing the 'Zigzag Line' in grey flannel by Dior, photo by Clifford Coffin, 1948

Wenda in white fox fur, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in bare-shouldered dress of black silk satin, with black fox stole, and tiny hat with double shoot of feathers, all at Lilly Daché, photo by Norman Parkinson at Le Pavillon restaurant, Vogue, November 1, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in black silk velvet box jacket over very narrow skirt by Kraus, diamond jewelry by Harry Winston, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, September 1, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in coat by Hardy Amies, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in fur jacket and pearls eating spaghetti, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, February 1949

Wenda Parkinson in leopard coat from Aaron Reiss, shellacked beaver cap by Mr. John, jewelry by Cartier, American Vogue, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in narrow coat with a shawl collar of red wool tweed lined with fleece the color of camel's hair by Claire McCardell, teal-blue velvet cloche by Mme. Andrée, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 15, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in short belted navy Forstmann wool topcoat lined in grey kidskin by Phillip Mangone, small veiled hat by Chanda, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in these muted tones of gray and green in silk worsted by Christian Dior-New York, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, September 1, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in Times Square for American Vogue, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1949

Wenda Parkinson wearing coat by Hardy Amies, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, June 1949

Wenda Parkinson, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, 1949

Wenda Parkinson, Sherry Netherlands, New York, 1949, photo by Norman Parkinson

Wenda Parkinson, Times Square, American Vogue, September 1949

Wenda Parkinson by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Wenda Parkinson by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Wenda Parkinson in a Molyneux satin evening dress leaning on a 1907 Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Wenda Parkinson in Molyneux's satin evening gown (back view), photo by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Wenda Parkinson in pleated silk faille coat in dark blue by Jean Dessès, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, March 15, 1950

Wenda Parkinson, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, February, 1950

Wenda Parkinson and ostriches, South Africa, Vogue, 1951

Wenda Parkinson at the Howick Falls, Howick, South Africa, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, May 1951

Wenda Parkinson at Victoria Falls, Africa, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in a tweed suit by Hardy Amies, photo by Norman Parkinson, Hyde Park Corner, London, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in gown fit for a queen by Norman Hartnell, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in Scottish tweed coat by Aquascutum, Vogue, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in suit and coat by Matita, London Airport, Vogue, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in tiered gown by Hardy Amies, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1951

Wenda Parkinson models a suit under a plane on a Nairobi landing strip, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1951

Wenda Parkinson in a classic suit in clerical grey by Dorville, flannel hat by Simone Mirman, beaver muff by National Fur Co., Vogue, 1952

Wenda Parkinson in gray double-breasted suit with large collar by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, January 1, 1952

Wenda Parkinson in twinset by Pringle, photo by Norman Parkinson, Hadrian's Wall, Scotland, Vogue UK, February 1952

Wenda Parkinson wearing white strapless ball gown by Ceil Chapman, 1952