Rocha does grand, historical silhouettes with an easy air of wayward, beautiful modernity, and that’s a pretty unique talent. Her poetic universe comes from a distinctly female point of view, drawing on things like Araki’s trussed-up women and (for her acclaimed AW14 show) portraits of Anne Boleyn to embroider her work with subtle perversion and a darkly sexual undercurrent.
What was your defining pop culture moment of 2014?
Simone Rocha: Meeting Karl Lagerfeld.
How would you sum up what you do in a sentence?
Simone Rocha: I design and make clothes inspired by people, art and youth; creating a strong, modern romance with balance and contrast.
What’s your favourite song of 2014?
Simone Rocha: Cloud Castle Lake – “Sync”.
How do you think style and pop culture will change in 2015?
Simone Rocha: It will be more influenced by what’s going on around us in the news.
In 15 words, sum up what we can expect from you in 2015.
Simone Rocha: Tapestry, lace, carpet, cotton, red, nude, cream, white, new shoes, perspective, perspex, porcelain, glass and cornicing.
What’s the most exciting thing about the music/film/fashion industry today?
Simone Rocha: You can have your own voice and do what you do well.
What new skill did you learn this year?
Simone Rocha: To play chess.
Who’s an unsung cultural hero that you discovered this year?
Simone Rocha: Richard Gorman.
What’s the most surprising thing we’d find out if we looked at your phone?
Simone Rocha: Chess With Friends.
Who should have been at number one on the Dazed 100?
Simone Rocha: Odette Rocha.
Twitter: @Simone_Rocha_
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