Simone Rocha has carved out a unique space in the fashion world, blending heritage with a distinctively modern edge. Born in Dublin in 1986, she pursued a BA in Fashion at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin before graduating from Central Saint Martins’ celebrated Fashion MA in 2010. That same year, she debuted at London Fashion Week, quickly becoming a mainstay of the city’s style scene. Her collections, known for their feminine yet subversive aesthetic, play with texture, volume, and a deep sense of storytelling—elements that have earned her a loyal following.
Rocha’s work often feels like a dialogue between past and present, drawing inspiration from her Irish roots, her Hong Kong heritage, and the fabric of her own family life. Her clothing consistently balances contrasts: delicacy with toughness, romanticism with pragmatism. Rocha’s London store opened in 2015 on Mount Street, followed by additional locations in New York and Taiwan, each space reflecting her signature style through custom furniture and ever-changing art installations. These stores, like her collections, are an extension of her world—where fashion, art, and personal narrative merge seamlessly.
Beyond her own label, Rocha has brought her vision to various collaborations. From her much-discussed H&M collection in 2021, which reinterpreted her archival pieces for a wider audience, to her role as the guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture in 2024, she’s shown an ability to adapt her aesthetic while maintaining its core identity. Her recent exhibition “Girls, Girls, Girls” at Lismore Castle Arts and her contributions to “Echo. Wrapped in Memory” at Momu Antwerp further illustrate her cross-disciplinary curiosity, engaging with the broader cultural context.
Simone Rocha remains a constant at London Fashion Week, where she showcases collections in historic locations that feel as storied as her garments. From the Tate Modern to Southwark Cathedral, each venue adds a layer to her narrative, enriching the experience of her shows. Her continued evolution and dedication to craft—whether through seasonal collections or unexpected collaborations—position Rocha not just as a designer but as a storyteller, one whose vision continues to resonate in the ever-changing landscape of contemporary fashion.
