Adel Rootstein 1930-92

IN PROFILE - Born in South Africa to Russian parents, Adel Rootstein became arguably the leading British mannequin designer from the late 1950s onwards. She revolutionised mannequin design and played a key behind-the-scenes role in the London fashion scene of the 'swinging sixties', founding the successful mannequin company Rootstein with her husband, industrial designer Richard Hopkins. She died in London at the age of 62.

- Zandra Rhodes

When did you first hear about Adel Rootstein? When she turned up at the front door of my little design studio near Paddington Station in London in 1969, following my first fashion collection. She'd tracked me down, wanting some dresses of mine for the mannequins in the showroom she'd just opened in Golden Square, Soho. It was the start of a lifelong friendship.