Birthday Salute to Bunny Roger

Neil Munroe “Bunny” Roger was the epitomy of a gentleman peacock. This phenomenon of energy possessed wit, good taste and enormous courage. He was famous as a couturier for wealthy women, and had a reputation for throwing some of the most extravagant parties of the last century. His colorful persona can be considered an acquired taste for some folks, however, his original flair and joy for life can’t be denied.

Above: Bunny Roger with his younger brother, Alexander, "Sandy" in 1962.

This eccentric socialite (and fellow Gemini) was born on June 9, 1911—the middle of 3 boys. His father was a self-made business tycoon, and his mother was a natural beauty who liked culture and fashion, which undoubtedly rubbed off on Bunny (a nickname from infancy given to him from a nanny). Bunny, along with his brothers, Sandy and Alan, were life-long bachelors and remained close their entire lives.

During the Second World War he saw active duty in Italy and North Africa. He claimed to have advanced through enemy lines wearing a chiffon scarf and carrying a copy of Vogue.

Above: Neil "Bunny" Roger photographed in London in 1954 by fellow peacock, Norman Parkinson.

This dandy had many notable bon mots including: “When in doubt…powder.” One of his favored colors was “menopausal mauve.” Beneath his flamboyant exterior was an encyclopedic and formidably well-read mind, and courteous man.

After the war he opened his own shop, Neil Roger, with a £1000 backing from his father. His clients included Vivien Leigh and Princess Marina.

Each year he would purchase 15 custom Savile Row suits, of his own designs, in the best fabrics and colors—including lilac, cerulean, and canary yellow (above from his estate auction catalog 1998). He often had several pairs of the same shoe made when he found a favorite leather color or type.

Above: A peek in one of Bunny Roger's closets. It reminds Mr. Peacock of Tartan Scot's closet.

In the last decades of his life, during his routine walks to lunch at Fortnum & Mason, he enjoyed people staring at his neo-Edwardian inspired attire and signature silhouette—broad shoulders (40” chest), narrow waist (29”), and small feet (size 7)!

Above: The living room of Roger's house on Addison Road in London.

Bunny and his brothers hosted many fabulous parties and balls over the decades at their homes. In their day, these extravaganzas were outrageous and very eccentric. His “Fetish” party in 1956 made the gossip pages of the newspaper.

At his “Amethyst” Ball, celebrating his 70th birthday in 1981, Bunny wore a catsuit with an egret feather headdress (above). A decade later, he made an entrance at his “Ball of Fire” 80th birthday ball, emerging through fire and smoke to the applause of 400 friends!

Above: A sampling of Mr. Roger's wardrobe from the auction catalog of his estate, 1998.

Quoting Bunny’s obituary (April 1997) written by Clive Fisher in The Independent, “… He was true: beneath his mauve mannerisms he was stalwart, frank, dependable and undeceived; to onlookers a passing peacock, to intimates a life enhancer and exemplary friend.”

Mr. Peacock tips his bowler in salutation to Neil “Bunny” Roger for living his life with his own conviction and style.

An Emile Norman Treasure

Last April, Mr. Peacock wrote about the extraordinary artist Emile Norman. I received a very lovely email from a reader whose husband was good friends with Mr. Norman, and had commissioned an elephant and cherub (which is in the likeness of Emile’s partner Brooks).

Here's a shot of the stylized elephant by Emile Norman. Thanks Sue for sharing your wonderful Emile Norman treasure!

A sad footnote:
Mr. Peacock was saddened to hear the news that Emile Norman passed away of natural causes last Thursday. Actress Jill Ekenberry, who produced (along with her husband actor Michael Tucker) the documentary, Emile Norman: By His Own Design, told the Los Angeles Times, that “he designed his life as well as his art.” Michael Tucker said, "The way he looked at his art and work was a calling. It flowed through him. He was the purest artist I ever met." Thank you Emile Norman for your inspiration to be true to yourself!

Eccentric Talent—David Hockney

The weather in San Francisco has been up & down lately. Last week we had a heatwave, and then this past weekend we had extreme lighting and thunder. It was a bit gloomy on Sunday and it made Mr. Peacock long for the color and exuberance of the artist David Hockney.

As a design student in the late 80's, Mr. Peacock had a workshop with Mr. Hockney at the International Design Conference in Aspen (above). There were no more than 20 of us (all students) sitting in a circle with Mr. Hockney. Design icon Mr. Milton Glaser moderated and hosted this 2-hour talk session held outdoors in the round.

Above: "Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy", 1970-1, acrylic on canvas. David Hockney painted this portrait of his friends the fashion designer Ossie Clark and fabric designer Celia Birtwell. She was a model and muse for Mr. Hockney for many years.

Mr. Hockney was talking very softly and I couldn’t focus on what he was saying—because I couldn’t take my eyes off him! I guess I was a bit star-struck sitting just a few feet from this eccentric and talented icon.

Above: "Peter getting out of Nick's pool", 1966, acrylic on canvas.

Mr. Peacock was staring at every detail of his attire from his bleached hair to his mismatched brightly solid colored socks with suede Bucks. His appearance seemed a bit disheveled at first glance, but at a closer look he was very elegant and put together—like an slightly wrinkled tuxedo shirt.

Above: "Self portrait with Blue Guitar", 1977 (you can get a poster here).

Mr. Hockney chatted with me and my pal Allison for a moment—and kindly signed a book for me. The book is nowhere to be found at this moment (I also had more photos that I stuck inside the book, for safe keeping). I’ll post them later, if I find them. Allison and I felt liked we had touched greatness—and were so inspired!

This is what Mr. Hockney looked like when I heard him speak. His blond hair had a few cowlicks poking about, with large eyeglasses framing his sparkling blue eyes.

Mr. Peacock loves this photograph by artist Peter Schlesinger (Hockney's longtime friend) of Cecil Beaton and David Hockney—notice the mismatched colored socks!

Mr. Hockney’s art pals included Andy Warhol (above 1976)—and peacock Derek Jarman.

He was born in England in 1937. The allure and lifestyle of California drew him to Los Angeles in the 1960’s—eventually moving there in the 1970's.


David Hockney starred in this quasi-documentary, A Big Splash, in 1974 after his break-up with Peter Schlesinger. He plays a painter who’s lost his will to create after an emotional breakup.

David Hockey’s signature look of blond hair, large glasses, and bright colors and patterns (stripes, polka dots) is as iconic and colorful as his large body of artwork.

Another Man magazine paid homage to David Hockney’s iconic style using model and stylist extraordinaire, Gary Card, wearing the highlights from the Spring 2008 mens collections.

Mr. Peacock loved the layout, but would have liked to have seen a lit cigarette somewhere (he still smokes), and some mismatched colored socks...and maybe a dachshund! He did his series on his beloved dogs.

David Hockney has returned to England and his new work is as dynamic as ever—graphic landscapes (working on a piece above).

Sadly after he painted this painting...

...the trees were cleared.

In 2008 he donated his largest painting to date, "Bigger Trees near Warner" (40 ft x 15ft), to the Tate.This amazing painting is comprised of fifty canvas panels, and was created outdoors, en plein air.

David Hockney is still a dapper gentleman with a sparkle in his blue eyes. Mr. Peacock admires the polka dot pocket square he's wearing above.


Above: At the Tate, he answered fan questions sent in on Twitter.

What impresses Mr. Peacock most about this talented 72 year old gentleman peacock is his enduring desire and commitment to create art, learn (and use) new technologies, and his general curiosity and love of life. Thank you Mr. Hockney!

"Cali" Elegance—Jason Schwartzman

Mr. Peacock has been a huge fan of actor, musician, and gentleman peacock Jason Schwartzman, since seeing him portray Max Fischer in the film 1998 film Rushmore (below).

Jason Schwartzman has had roles in many of my favorite films including: Darjeeling Limited (below), Spun, and Shopgirl. I have to admit, I even enjoyed Marie Antoinette.

On and off camera, Jason Schwartzman exudes a casual, American elegance. At 5’6’ tall, he understands the importance of well-fitted, tailored clothing.

Mr. Peacock likes the quirky little pins Jason Schwartzman likes to wear on his blazers.

Long hair, short hair, scruffy, clean-shaven or bearded—Jason looks well-groomed.

And he always looks effortlessly stylish—whether he is wearing a rumpled oxford shirt and jeans, a suit with a tie, or just a t-shirt and jeans.

This native Californian was destined to be an actor (and have style)—he’s part of the Coppola clan.

Above: Maybe Jason likes owls?

His Mom is actress Talia Shire (Coppola), his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola, and his cousins include Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola.


His HBO series, Bored to Death, premieres September 20th (above). Jason plays an amateur detective in this upcoming “noir-otic” comedy. He reminds Mr. Peacock of a modern-day Peter Sellers. I hope the script of Bored to Death is as good as the cast, and costumes.

Above: You can order a Coconut Records tote bag or t-shirt here.

In addition to his acting talent, this peacock is a musician too. His current solo music project is called Coconut Records. The debut album by Coconut Records, Nighttiming, was released on Schwartzman’s Young Baby Records in 2007.


His sophomore album, Davy, was released this past January (Microphone, above video, from Davy CD). He also performs the musical score in his new film, Funny People.

This peacock is also a newlywed. He married clothing designer, Brady Cunningham, earlier this year.

They have an adorable French bulldog—Arrow (named after Harry Nilsson’s song “Me and My Arrow”). Arrow has a cameo in the Microphone video above.

Jason Schwartzman also posed for the Band of Outsiders Fall Collection look book, which was photographed with a Polaroid camera by Band of Outsider’s designer Scott Sternberg.
Many of the shots were taken on Chung King Road in L.A.’s Chinatown, a nod and homage to Sternberg’s inspiration for this collection—the 1967 Jean-Luc Godard film La Chinoise.

Both Jason and the Band of Outsider’s Fall Collection shine in all of the shots!

Mr. Peacock loves this image with parasols. Jason is wearing a wool patchwork suit, Sea Island cotton shirt, oxford cloth bow tie, and flannel boat shoes.

This wool patchwork windbreaker is brilliant...and of course Jason makes it look casually elegant.

Mr. Peacock salutes this Californian peacock for his talent and effortless style. Thanks Jason Schwartzman!

Idealistic Beauty—J.C. Leyendecker

J.C. Leyendecker (Joseph Christian) was an illustrator, painter and successful commercial artist. He painted over 300 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, including the one below from 1907.

Although his name isn’t as well known as fellow Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, he was equally as talented and successful. Norman Rockwell’s style was actually somewhat derivative of Mr. Leyendecker’s style. Joe was a friend and great influence on Norman Rockwell’s style. Mr. Rockwell was later a pallbearer at his funeral in 1951.

Above: A couple of examples of J.C. Leyendecker's magazine cover artwork.

He was born in Germany in 1882, but his family immigrated to Chicago, and as a teenager attended the Chicago Art Institute. Joe and his younger brother Frank enrolled in the Académie Julian in Paris for a year. In 1900, Joe and Frank (and their sister Mary) moved to New York City to advance their careers in advertising and publishing.

While in NYC, Joe landed his most well known gig—illustrating the Arrow Collar Man (above). One of the original models for the “Arrow Collar Man” became his lifelong “best-friend” and manager, Mr. Charles Beach. (note the white carnation boutonniere)

In addition to his long term gig with the Arrow company, Joe landed many great advertising, book and magazine clients such as: Kuppenheimer, Interwoven Socks, Chesterfield cigarettes, Kellogg's, Ivory soap, American Weekly, Collier's, Popular Magazine, Century Illustrated, Ladies' Home Journal and Scribner's magazine.

In 1914, Joe and his siblings, Frank and Mary, moved into a large estate (above) in New Rochelle, New York—along with his best friend Charles.

Above: An illustration from 1905 for Scribner's magazine.

J.C. Leyendecker never married, and lived with Charles Beach most of his life. Allegedly, this talented gentleman lived his teens and twenties as an openly gay man, but became much more private (and reclusive) later in his life.

Above: Artwork for an Arrow Collars advertisement—circa 1912.

During the 1920’s, Joe and Charles hosted many glamorous events at their home. His luxurious lifestyle, during the 1920’s, epitomized the glamour and idealism of his artwork. Sadly, his brother Frank died from a drug overdose in 1924.

A bulk of J.C. Leyendecker’s work had subtle (and not so subtle) homoerotic overtones. He excelled at representing handsome men and beautiful women in his paintings and illustrations.

Above: Mr. Peacock likes the plaid hat and blanket in this illustration. I think the lady looks a bit like the actress Joan Cusick.

During the 1930’s his gigs began to wane. In 1943, he was commissioned for his last Saturday Evening Post cover, which ended his long and lucrative gig that produced 322 covers!

There is no doubt he influenced many artists (obviously Norman Rockwell), and fashion designers with his beautiful and nuanced style. His work still looks relevant and iconic, and continues to influence—even a few PC games. There are a handful of books out on J.C. Leyendecker's life and artwork (right photo-a portrait of Mr. Leyendecker circa 1940's), and a short documentary was released in 2002. I haven’t seen it—have you?

Above: You can purchase this reproduction of Leyendecker's artwork for a Kuppenheimer advertisement.

Mr. Peacock hopes that a feature film dramatizing J.C Leyendecker’s life will eventually be produced…until then I salute this gentleman peacock.

Thank you J.C. Leyendecker for living your life to the beat of your own drum, and for leaving us with such a great archive of your artwork.