Adel Rootstein

Adel Rootstein (married name Adel Hopkins; ; 15 September 1930 – 20 September 1992) was a South African-born British mannequin designer, visual merchandiser and founder of the Adel Rootstein mannequin company.

Early life Adel Rootstein was born on 15 September 1930 in Warmbaths, Union of South Africa (present-day Bela-Bela, South Africa) to Russian parents.

Career

In 1951, at age 21, Rootstein relocated to London to work as a visual merchandiser and window dresser for Aquascutum. Rootstein later worked as a mannequin wig maker.

In the late 1956, Rootstein founded her mannequin business 'Adel Rootstein' alongside her husband Richard Hopkins, an industrial designer. This was the start of her first collection, called "GoGo". In 1959, Rootstein established a factory in London to manufacture her fibreglass mannequins.

In 1991, 'Adel Rootstein' was sold to the Japanese mannequin manufacturer , a frequent collaborator of Rootstein. Following the sale of the business, Rootstein enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art.

Rootstein Hopkins Foundation In 1990, Rootstein and her husband Rick Hopkins set up the Rootstein Hopkins Foundation to assist young artists and designers.

Personal life In 1953, Rootstein married Richard 'Rick' Hopkins (1927-2000) in Kensington.

Rootstein died on 20 September 1992 in London aged 62.

Legacy Rootstein's mannequins were used for the Miu Miu Pre-Fall 2017 presentation.