Simone Rocha
Founder and creative director of Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha is an Irish designer who founded her London-based label in 2010 and has become one of the most distinctive independent voices at London Fashion Week. She is known for romantic womenswear that reworks historical silhouettes, and for high-profile collaborations with brands including H&M, Moncler, Crocs, adidas and Jean Paul Gaultier.
| Role | Founder and creative director, Simone Rocha |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010, London |
| Known for | Romantic, historically inspired womenswear |
| Education | NCAD Dublin; Central Saint Martins |
| Born | 1986, Dublin |
Who is Simone Rocha?
Simone Rocha, born in Dublin in 1986, is the founder and creative director of the Simone Rocha label, which presents women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories. Her work is recognised for modernising historical silhouettes with pearls, lace, tulle and intricate handwork, and for drawing on her Irish and Chinese heritage.
Career
Rocha studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and then completed a master's degree at Central Saint Martins in London under Louise Wilson. She presented her graduate collection in 2010 and launched her label the same year at London Fashion Week.
- 2010: label launched in London.
- 2015: first standalone store opens on Mount Street, London.
- 2016: British Womenswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards.
- 2018: Moncler Genius collection.
- 2021: collaboration with H&M.
- January 2024: guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture.
- February 2026: first adidas Originals collaboration shown at London Fashion Week.
Her brand operates stores in London and New York and a flagship in Taipei, and is also sold through partners such as Dover Street Market. Recurring collaborations include footwear with Crocs, and in February 2026 she showed a first collection with adidas Originals at London Fashion Week.
Influence on the fashion business
Rocha has built a recognisable independent luxury business without the backing of a major group, using a consistent design language and a small, carefully chosen retail network. Her collaborations show how an independent label can reach much larger audiences through partnerships with mass-market and sportswear brands while protecting the core collection. Her guest couture season at Jean Paul Gaultier placed her among the designers chosen for that rotating platform.
Her shows during London Fashion Week are regarded as some of the season's key moments, and her work has been worn on major red carpets, including a Met Gala design for Billie Eilish in 2023. She has also received the British Fashion Awards' Emerging Talent and New Establishment honours early in her career, and the award for Independent British Brand in 2021.
Why it matters
In a market dominated by large luxury conglomerates, Simone Rocha is an example of a founder-led brand that has sustained creative identity and commercial relevance over more than a decade. For retailers and brand strategists, her mix of tightly controlled own retail, wholesale through specialist stores and selective collaborations is a useful model for independent growth.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Simone Rocha?
Simone Rocha is an Irish fashion designer who founded her London-based label in 2010. She studied in Dublin and at Central Saint Martins and is a long-standing name at London Fashion Week.
What is Simone Rocha known for?
She is known for romantic, historically inspired womenswear featuring pearls, lace and tulle. She has also collaborated with H&M, Moncler, Crocs and adidas, and was guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture in January 2024.