When the history books chronicle iconic moments in fashion, Simone Rocha’s recent show under the monumental dome of Britain’s Old Bailey will surely deserve a chapter. In a venue more accustomed to judgements of law than style, Rocha received the sort of verdict designers dream of: a standing ovation.
Simone Rocha’s newest collection wasn’t just clothes on a runway; it was an emotive dialogue woven into fabric. Inspired by the struggles and victories of recent years, the designer set forth to create a “powerful, feminine statement.” And boy, did she deliver.
Her creativity literally harnessed into parachute tapes, integrated into dresses and voluminous bubble-bomber jackets, served as a transformative feature. One moment you’re looking at a sweeping gown; the next, it’s morphed into a mini dress—all according to the wearer’s mood.
The colors whispered more than they shouted, with layers of ethereal white, beige, and pink tulle acting as an atmospheric backdrop. This soft femininity found its counterpoint in rugged aviator pants and a defiant army green that permeated the collection like a rebel yell.
Ah, the veils! Once markers of weddings and christenings in her past collections, this time the veils swathed both women and men in flounced, tiered grandeur. Initially hesitant to include them after news broke of the Queen’s passing, Rocha wisely chose to keep this poignant touch, revealing it as an homage to her student days and her cultural roots in the funeral traditions of the Aran Isles.
And speaking of roots, this collection marked her maiden voyage into menswear. The result was breathtaking: men adorned in fragments of petticoats, paired with utility pieces and black tailoring. It was as if Rocha had spilled an inkwell of toughness into her feminine designs, and it bled beautifully, blending worlds that seldom meet.
When asked about the philosophy behind her designs, Rocha said, “Clothes are sometimes an escape and a release.” In that moment, under the weighty gaze of Justice’s blindfolded statue, she provided the audience both—an escape into beauty and a release into emotional freedom. The end verdict? A standing ovation, as Justice looked on. Simone Rocha didn’t just showcase a collection; she staged an emotional journey that everyone in attendance felt a part of. Now that’s what you call a fashion statement.
