Simone Rocha Spring 2017 - Runway Review

A twist on farm girl fashion? Simone Rocha has long had a penchant for elegant designs infused with an irreverent edge—and spring was no different. Staged at London’s Southwark Cathedral, the garments elicited a classically feminine aesthetic with gothic tendencies.

Down a long stone aisle walked Rocha’s models, dressed in a twisted take on communion dresses and wedding and baptismal gowns. Inspired by the work of photographer Jackie Nickerson, Rocha incorporated her signature plays on volume into an ethereal collection bursting with bloomers, sweet Peter Pan collars and puffy sleeves.

If the collection seemed a bit pieced together, well, its intention was just so. Dresses, some of which featured drooping hems, featured broderie anglaise and chunky knots on the sleeves while patch-worked lace made itself onto tops and dark glen plaid check added a dose of print. Rocha also worked miles of sheer silk organza and tulle into long gossamer dresses adorned with embroidered flowers. It was all quite other-worldly.