Rocha, John

John Rocha, the designer who revolutionized fashion in the 1990s

John Rocha during a show
John Rocha during a show

John Rocha (1953). Irish designer of Chinese-Portuguese origin. Thereafter, he left his native Hong Kong to study fashion in London and then he graduated in 1977 and the following year showed his first women’s collection.

ROCHA JOHN’S BEGINNINGS

In love with Irish textile traditions, the designer moved to Dublin in 1979 and opened his first shop in 1985. Between 1987 and 1989, John stayed in Milan to follow the production of his line. The 1990s he saw a rapid rise with his first Men’s line came out in ’93 and won the first of several awards: the British Designer of the Year. Simultaneously the showrooms in Paris and Dublin in 1994 and signed an agreement with the Waterford Wedgewood Group to design furnishing accessories.

Dress with corolla skirt and 3D flowers
Dress with corolla skirt and 3D flowers

In ’96, John Rocha Jeans was born, he signed an agreement with Itochu Fashion Systems, Japan, for Asian distribution. Later 1998, he opened a shop in London’s Sloane Square. John’s style is somewhere between oriental and Celtic.

Moreover, he is the owner of The Mirrison hotel in Dublin, which had furnished throughout. Texture, form, purity, details was published by Conran-Octopus, in which Rocha talks about himself and illustrates the philosophy that has always linked him to the world of images. The book is accompanied by many photographs and drawings.

Since 2011 he has been a regular presence on the London catwalks, but in 2014 he announced his retirement from the scene.

His legacy, however, was taken over by his daughter Simone. As eclectic as her father, the young Rocha attracts with her gothic, sometimes Victorian creativity. Her success was consolidated over time and allowed her to present her collections during the official calendar of London Fashion Week.

In 2021, she also signed a capsule collection with H&M and the garments were dubiously sold-out.

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