Colin Becke

Born Thomas William WHALER on the 4th of January, 1904, he, like his famous sister Countess Agnes Winifred Whaler (aka Eve Becke), changed his name (officially in 1944) as he developed a successful career as a dress and theatre costume designer.


photo by Elcon Hirsh, 1938
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Here is is (highlighted in yellow) listed in the 1911 census with his family. They were living in Harrogate (Yorkshire) and he was only 7 years old.

(note his sister Agnes listed underneath his name)
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His father William had worked a diverse range of jobs over the decades (according to census information), and had listed himself having occupations such as that of a chemist, a farmer, a railway carriage washer, and a wine & spirit merchant.
Thomas's grand and great grandfathers all had very down-to-earth jobs also, so it must have been quite a step to take for both him and his sister Agnes to head away towards the worlds of art and entertainment. We can only speculate as to how the family felt about this, and whether it caused any friction or, conversely, the family were all proud of what they each achieved, as 'Colin' and 'Eve' Becke.

According to this listing he worked in the costume and wardrobe department on the set of Death At Broadcasting House during 1934, where his sister (as Eve Becke) was a cast member of the film.

He lived most of his adult life in London. After his sister was tragically widowed during WWII, they resided together in a flat in Harley Street. He must have retired at some point, as he ended up in Yorkshire.
On the 1939 census he was in the Marylebone district of London.

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Based on electoral roll records, it appears that for some years he worked out of a shop in Grosvenor Street, Mayfair (London), in an area that seemed to become quite a hub for dressmakers, milliners and the like.

Thomas was the only one of his siblings to never have married, and he died on the 19th of May 1991, in Headingly (Leeds, Yorkshire, England). No offspring exist that I am aware of.

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Probate records for the UK went through a phase of not giving specific financial details, or next of kin, in their probate lists - which is unfortunately the case here. It would be very interesting to get hold of a copy of his will and discover what assets he had after his long and successful career, and who his beneficiaries were (which might help indicate what kind of family dynamic existed at that time).

Some of his creations:

A 1950s evening coat.

A sleeveless yellow taffeta silk coat embellished with beads and tassles around the collar, open front, side slits, lined.
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A 1950s ball gown.

pale peach pink/apricot heavy satin floor-length ball gown with full skirt, bows and shelf bust
(source unknown, previously saved via google images)
A 1960s two-piece cocktail outfit.

This lovely garment is of vibrant green slub silk and part satin lined in fuchsia pink. The full length sleeveless shift is sumptuously embellished with glass iridescent beads and flutes and embroidered appliques in floral and leaf designs. The neckline is high with a peep hole detail to the bodice - the back drops low from the straps of the dress. The bolero jacket has been cut carefully in order to show the dress to its full advantage.
The matching bolero.

The bolero jacket has been cut carefully in order to show the dress to its full advantage. Also decorated with the same motifs and beads and with slit sleeves flaring from the upper arm to reveal the pink lining.
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A 1960s dress.

Vintage ... formal embroiled A-line yellow dress
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(On the image source page is a zoom function to more easily see the dress detailing.)

It is mentioned in this newspaper article here (bottom right) that he had designed at least one gown for the popular wartime entertainer Inga Andersen.

One can only imagine the type of life he had, the famous people he may have rubbed shoulders with - not only because of his sister but due to his own design flair and popularity - and the whole social scene he may have been a part of. I suspect he may have been a very interesting person to have known.

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