A BA in Fashion from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, a Fashion MA from Central Saint Martins then plucked for Lulu Kennedys Fashion East initiative. A better springboard nobody could argue. But then more, after her first solo show for spring 12 several endorsement by Lady Gaga - one of which was on the cover of ELLE - Rochas ascent steepened more vertical still. Never could anyone accuse Simone of getting a leg-up from her designer father John Rocha.
This her second solo show worked on her well-trodden mix of the boy-girl equation. Now with a finesse and polish that ranks Rocha as a favourite viewing of the week, as evidenced by the scrum to witness it.
Rocha was working on a vision of new and old Ireland from the 30s: wild meets refined, oversized mannish Teddy coats mixed with pretty guipure and corded lace. Weve seen a big coat over a pretty dress many times but here it was fresh again, brought to new life by touchy-feely textures like crochet yarns, great tufted wools on PVC and mohair you wanted to reach out and stroke. Starched pointed collars its all about the collars still sat on top of Perspex tunics and mirror leathers. The much-lauded Perspex heeled brogues from yester-season replaced by a less scary, more commercial flatform equivalent. Clever Colette and Dover Street Market for buying in to Simone Rocha early in her career, everyone in the audience wanted a piece of it for themselves today. But will Gaga?