Bows took the fashion world by storm in 2023, largely thanks to the fashion houses that had us waxing poetic about our fleeting girlhood. Among the driving forces behind the bow mania are Miu Miu, Sandy Liang, and—you guessed it—Simone Rocha, which was arguably the biggest influence that birthed the coquette aesthetic and similar subcultures.
The brand's Autumn/Winter 2023 presentation will go down in history as one of its most memorable, with an eerily beautiful collection inspired by Lughnasadh, a medieval Celtic festival marking the beginning of harvest season. The theatrical playfulness was intentional, with romantic tulle, pearl embellishments, and embroidery taking centerstage, punctuated with no shortage of bows that tied (pun intended) everything together.
Thomas de Kluyver, the Australian makeup artist tapped to take things up a notch, sent down models with red ribbon appliqués under their eyes. The look eventually found its way in the center of a new TikTok craze called "bow tears." But mind you, social media filters aren't the only thing getting the Simone Rocha treatment. Even in the nail care department, the latest trends are dominated by nail art reminiscent of the designer's bow-obsessed runways.
Needless to say, the Simone Rocha phenomenon is real, and it's not going away anytime soon. Brush up on everything you need to know about the luxury brand below.
- Who is Simone Rocha?
- Simone Rocha's Brand History
- Simone Rocha's Signature Style
- Simone Rocha's Cult Pieces
Who Is Simone Rocha?
Simone Rocha, born in 1986 in Ireland and based in the United Kingdom, is a distinguished fashion designer celebrated for her ultra-feminine aesthetic and voluminous silhouettes catering to modern women. Graduating from Central Saint Martins College in London with an MA in Fashion in 2010, she promptly launched her eponymous label, marking her debut at London Fashion Week later that year.
As the daughter of renowned Dublin-based designer John Rocha, Simone Rocha inherited a creative environment that fueled her early interest in fashion. She was 11 years old when she learned dressmaking. "There’s a practicality and there’s a reality. And for me, it’s that collision that has always been the way I design," she says of her design ethos.
Over the past decade, she has evolved into an internationally recognized brand, showcasing her collections at London Fashion Week for over 10 years. Her designs, drawing inspiration from art, nature, history, and her heritage, exhibit a strong sense of femininity and sophistication.
Simone Rocha's Brand History
Founded in 2010, the Simone Rocha brand swiftly established itself as a prominent force in the fashion industry. The designer made her mark by showcasing her collections at London Fashion Week, becoming one of the city’s marquee stars.
Simone Rocha's distinctive tomboy-feminine collections garnered significant attention and acclaim, securing partnerships with renowned stockists such as Dover Street Market in London, Ginza in Chicago, 10 Corso Como in Milan and Seoul, and formerly Colette in Paris. In August 2015, the brand marked a pivotal moment by inaugurating its first flagship store on Mount Street in London. Notably, the store's interiors reflect Simone Rocha's artistic touch, adorned with signature furniture and handmade sculptures, including works by Robert Rauschenberg, Louise Bourgeoise, and Ren Ri.
Expanding her global footprint, Simone Rocha opened her inaugural US store in Soho, New York the following year. Today, the brand boasts a total of four flagship stores strategically located in London, New York, Hong Kong, and Taipei, and is prominently featured in globally renowned retailers such as Dover Street Market, Matches Fashion, Harrods, Mytheresa, and Bergdorf Goodman.
Simone Rocha's Signature Style
Simone Rocha's signature style marries playfulness and romance with a distinctive touch of edginess. Her garments, intelligently crafted, strike a balance between sophistication and accessibility, with voluminous silhouettes and layers that contradict their remarkably easy wearability. Her design finesse is evident in pieces like a see-through slip, offering wearers the choice between demure elegance or a more daring, erotic sensibility.
Rooted in a "subversive femininity," her vision combines girlish frills, ribbon ties, and pearl embellishments with a brooding sensuality showcased through harness details, tough leathers, and glistening latex finishes. Her deft hands were always able to adapt and evolve, making her creations just as believable and captivating today as they were a decade ago. The edgy femininity she embraces is evident in her choice of fabrics, from patent cotton to flower-embroidered plastic, showcasing a modern spirit in every collection. The iconic pearl, a consistent motif in her designs, adds a serene prettiness, whether adorning knee-high stockings or embellishing chunky accessories, making Simone Rocha's pieces coveted collectors' items.
Simone Rocha's Cult Pieces
Ready to embrace the Simone Rocha aesthetic? Start with some of the brand's most iconic pieces that every fashion girl would love to have in her designer closet.
Simone Rocha Gold Dress
A standout piece from the Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, this gold dress is celebrated for its tactile cloqué fabric that shimmers as it catches the light, reflecting the ethereal charm that defines Simone Rocha's signature style.
Embellished metallic cloqué gold dress, $2438.50 (approx. P136,100), SIMONE ROCHA, net-a-porter.com
Simone Rocha Bow Earrings
Simone Rocha's bow earrings add a touch of romantic sophistication to any ensemble, embodying the brand's playfulness and ultra-feminine aesthetic.
Bow-embellished crystal drop earrings, €289 (approx. P17,500), SIMONE ROCHA, mytheresa.com
Double Drip embellished earrings, €385 (approx. P23,500), SIMONE ROCHA, mytheresa.com
Simone Rocha Egg Bag
Inspired by pearls from the Baroque era, the Simone Rocha egg bag is crafted from Perspex, an acrylic material that gives the unique accessory its pearl-effect finish. As seen on Preview's January 2024 cover, the clutch boasts of timeless elegance and adds a touch of whimsy to any outfit.
Egg leather-trimmed clutch, €575(approx. P35,000), SIMONE ROCHA, mytheresa.com
Simone Rocha Ballet Sneakers
Simone Rocha's ballet sneakers redefine the traditional ballet shoe with a contemporary twist. The satin low trek ballerina pump features crisscross straps elasticized at the vamp, adorned with pearl and crystal embellishments. It's a unique fusion of a classic ballet style shoe and a sporty track sneaker.
Beaded Criss Cross Tracker Ballerina, £750 (approx. P53,000), SIMONE ROCHA, simonerocha.com
Simone Rocha Ruffled Pink Bag
The crossbody bag comes in a soft pink hue, embellished with layered ruffles. It features multiple pockets and is finished with a ribbon tied into a bow—a Simone Rocha signature look.
Ruffled crossbody bag, €385 (approx. P23,500), SIMONE ROCHA, mytheresa.com
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