Hand-stitched powder blue silk-chiffon tea dress with pleated skirt and off-the-shoulder sash bodice by Neil Munro ‘Bunny’ Roger, £280 at Ewbank’s.
An Yves Saint Laurent frock coat and an evening dress by designer Neil Munro ‘Bunny’ Roger (1911-97) were offered at Ewbank’s Vintage Fashion sale on July 21, taking hammer prices of £260 and £280 respectively (plus 30% buyer’s premium inc VAT).
Fortnum & Mason’s archivist purchased the two 1950s fashion items. The department store started selling clothes in c.1908, continuing into the 1970s, and had arrangements with some of the top designers of the time.
Among them was couturier and socialite Roger (1911-97) who established his dressmaking firm, Neil Roger, in Great Newport Street in 1937.
A late 1950s/early 1960s Yves Saint Laurent for Fortnum & Mason ladies black satin frock coat. Double breasted with covered buttons, it sold for £260.
Following the war (when he was noted for his courage while serving in the Rifle Brigade) he was invited to run the couture department at Fortnum & Mason. Along with fashion designer Sonjaa de Lennart, he was credited with making Capri pants fashionable.
After leaving Fortnums he invested in, and worked at, designer Hardy Amies where he worked until he retired in the 1970s. His legendary themed fancy dress parties continued into his eighth decade.
