Roland Mouret files notice of intention to appoint administrators

The future of Roland Mouret's fashion house remains uncertain after it filed a notice to appoint administrators following a collapse in demand for its tailored dresses and separates during the pandemic.

Owned by the British-based, French designer and music mogul Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment, Roland Mouret secured investment from landlord Grosvenor Estates last year, which invested invested in a number of its tenants to support them through the pandemic. The brand has a store in Mayfair's Carlos Place.

Best known for the iconic, form-fitting Galaxy dress, which was worn by Hollywood stars, royalty and businesswomen alike, the brand has diversified beyond dresses into tailoring and knitwear and, most recently, launched RM Body, a range of athleisure wear, to address changing lifestyles in the wake of Covid.

News of its intention to appoint administrators, which was first reported in The Sunday Times, follows earlier reports that the business, whose last available accounts for 2019 show sales of £16m, was in talks about its future.

At London Fashion Week in September, Mouret elected not to stage a show or presentation but instead presented a short film, called Terma, in which actors wore his new collection as costume. The film retells the Ulysses myth from the point of view of Hera – the goddess of women, marriage, family and childbirth in ancient Greek religion and mythology.

Earlier this year, fellow British-based couture house Ralph & Russo, which had previously shown at Paris Couture Fashion Week, collapsed after sales slumped during the pandemic. It was subsequently sold to US investor Retail Ecommerce Ventures.

Image: Roland Mouret SS22