“I do” — that’s what Simone Rocha wants its customers to say at the checkout.
In a proverbial showing that drew from the wedding dress rehearsal (which in turn, gave the SS24 presentation its name), nuptial motifs and hyper-feminine, girlish fantasies played out in East London’s English National Ballet.
Where the coquette trend peaked last season at an all-time high; and ballet flats, bows and flowy, maxi silhouettes wormed their way into collections across board, Simone Rocha, one of the pioneers of the movement, has stuck to its guns and firmly held its ground, presenting for SS24 a cohesion of delicate tenderness jarred with contemporary twists. For the season, the camp added to its lore — with the emergence of roses, cakes and lustrous silver. Tracksuits joined the Rocha agenda of modern-day ballgowns and oversized-cut tuxedos, and sheer shirts and dresses prefaced the exposition of three-dimensional florals.
Was it new? Yes, for the brand. But was it novel? Depending on who you ask, it could be trite, or it could be timeless. Hard to tell, when the expectation of fresh invention is sky-high for a career as illustrious as Rocha’s — who is also slated to take on the role of guest couturier at Jean Paul Gaultier, come January.
As ardent as Rocha fans come though, the collection was by no means short of covetable pieces. Simone Rocha Crocs are now trending, and rightfully so. For a brand that has honed its craft of enviable accessories, there seems to be no better Jibbitz than the brand’s signature pearls and crystals. All on a rubber canvas of bridal whites and pinks, of course. And then there are the bags. It’s hard to imagine that the Irish designer ever intended to have her accessories outshine her RTW, but when the brand’s vernacular of minaudières constantly evolves from eggs to wedding cakes, want is an inevitable byproduct.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our September 2023 issue.
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