Irish designer Simone Rocha captivated London once again with her SS26 collection, exploring adolescence, romanticism and unease on the runway.
Simone Rocha returned to London Fashion Week with an unforgettable show held at the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, a historic venue almost 300 years old that lent a sense of grandeur to a collection steeped in symbolism.
Her Spring/Summer 2026 proposal delved into the complex terrain of early adolescence, drawing inspiration from Justine Kurland’s photo book Girl Pictures and Maureen Freely’s My Dress Rehearsal: or How Mrs. Clarke Taught Me How to Sew. With this foundation, Rocha explored the transition into adulthood within stately salons, creating a contrast between the youthful and the unsettling.
On the runway, structured organza skirts, shimmering silver dresses and coats with bows shielded by plastic layers took centre stage. Silk pillows appeared as unexpected accessories, while evening gowns were casually styled with printed long-sleeve T-shirts. Embossed florals decorated ruffled shirts and crystalised shorts, while her ongoing collaboration with Crocs was refreshed with new silhouettes: from romantic platform ballerinas to gorpcore-inspired hybrids. The show culminated with Rocha’s signature pearl embellishments, set to launch later this year.
The SS26 collection reaffirms why Simone Rocha remains one of today’s most influential voices in fashion: sensitivity, rebellion and sophistication brought together in a single creative vision.
