"I've always wanted to design feminine clothes but I think what makes them cool is toughening them up with a harder edge" Simone Rocha tells Nylon, and it's true as demonstrated with her Spring 2012 collection. The first look was a plastic trench coat underlined with white lace, a tough exterior showing peeks of a softer side.
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| S/S 12 |
The show continued this way, featuring more plastic and lace to gorgeous tailored pieces and romantically relaxed dresses as showcased by Lady Gaga on the January cover of Elle.
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| January 2012 UK edition of Elle |
As the daughter of John Rocha a designer with 25 plus years of experience it could be said that designing is in her blood.
Born in Dublin, she moved to England to study at Central Saint Martin's college of art and design and proceeded to graduate in 2010. She then went on to to debut at London Fashion Week showing her S/S and A/W collections.
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| S/S 11 |
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| S/S 11 |
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| A/W 11 |
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| A/W 11 |
What makes Simone Rocha's designs stand out is the juxtaposition of textures, fabrics and the emotions evoking from her designs, for instance a chiffon dress styled with brogues makes a very feminine piece more edgy and wearable for the day or a tailored jacket with sheer sleeves in a contrasting colour, it's this mix of feminine and masculine designs colliding together that create hugely wearable pieces for the average woman with a bit of an edge.
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| S/S 12 |
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| S/S 12 |
From her London Fashion Week debut Simone has gone on to design a capsule collection as part of Topshop's graduate designs. She has also featured as a store front window at Selfridges as their bright young things 2011.
As well as getting recognition in the UK Simone is also gaining respect and praise from international stores with her designs being stocked in such shops as Colette in Paris.
So what's next for Simone Rocha in 2012?
Well first up is her solo catwalk show at London Fashion week the 18th February 2012. Then more international stockists, collaboration's and brand development, so keep your eye out for more from this girl because 2012 is looking to be her year.
