Simone Rocha x H&M collaboration: everything we know

Swedish fashion giant H&M has turned to one of our favourite LFW designers for the spring instalment of its ever-popular series of collaborations.

Following in the footsteps of Comme des Garçons, Maison Martin Margiela, Versace, Marni and, more recently, Giambattista Valli, is London-based Irish designer Simone Rocha. Now, the images are out, and the collection – which goes on sale from Thursday 11 March – is every bit as dreamy as we hoped.




Of the decision to partner with the high-street goliath, Rocha, who previously took part in the Moncler Genius series, told Vogue: 'If I was going to share my brand identity and signatures, I wanted to do it for everyone.' And do it for everyone she has: as well as beautiful clothes for women, Rocha has also designed menswear and childrenswear for the first time.




In the decade since Rocha launched her eponymous brand, the designer has shown a real development in confidence, and created an aesthetic of ethereal, dramatic romance that resonates with women across the generations. That fact is underlined by her diverse approach to catwalk casting, with models of all ages, races and sizes, some of whom have been chosen to star in the beautiful campaign images styled by Robbie Spencer who works with Rocha on her catwalk shows.





For the high-street collaboration, Rocha has turned to her archive, although with a more pragmatic approach than she has needed to adopt in the past: 'I understand my clothes might be intimidating – too feminine or too dressy – so there’s special pieces and daywear, hopefully for everyone.'

While many of Rocha's devotees think nothing of dressing in full-skirted tulle, jacquard or sparkling tweed dresses for daytime, more traditional daywear options have been given the Rocha treatment: hoodies and joggers in spongy neoprene, jersey T-shirts embellished with pearls.







Textiles and tactility are features of Rocha's collections, and special tinsels, sparkling elements, floral motifs, frills, cut-outs and full skirts abound. The pieces are designed for layering in unconventional ways too, apron tops over tulle frocks for example, or knits over shirts over sheer dresses. Most of the women's collection will be available in sizes EU 34 (UK 8) to EU 44/46 (UK 16-18).

Accessories are a great way to buy into the Rocha aesthetic too. The organic shapes of Rocha's crystal earrings and romantic hairslides, tiaras and clips not only add layers of drama and detail but fulfil the frenzy for hair accessories of recent years. For her H&M debut Rocha also brings the twists to footwear staples that have come to punctuate her catwalk shows with embellished brogues, feather-trimmed slippers and slides.





Bow-bedecked socks are a touching harking back to one of Rocha's first forays into high fashion: helping to crochet socks for one of her father, John Rocha's, collections as a teen. The Rocha family bond is famously strong, and the indelible connection between the pieces for women, men and children creates a real sense of unity, a style-twinning scenario that is neither cheesy nor forced.





In fact, the collection's launch date just before Mother's Day in the UK has us predicting that many an Instamum and her mini-me will be appearing in Rocha's finest come Sunday 14 March. And as special days go, anyone planning a wedding – whether via Zoom, in person or currently postponed – would do well to consider the romantic pieces of Simone Rocha x H&M, not only for the bride, bridesmaids or flower girls but for the groom as well.



The menswear pieces, a first for Rocha, are a thoroughly modern take on masculinity, incorporating pearl embellishments and soft colours into a classic wardrobe of trenchcoats, blazers, parkas and Aran knits.

The full collection is currently available to browse online, complete with prices and fabrication information, and accompanied by a dreamy short video shot at Great Dixter by Tyler Mitchell, starring a host of bright young things including Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Micheal Ward (Top Boy) and Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward.






Now is the perfect time to get better acquainted with the collection, and create a wish list of pieces: when the Simone Rocha x H&M collaboration goes on sale first thing on Thursday 11 March it's sure to be snapped up in record time. Mark your calendar, set your alarm, and get ready to join the digital queue.

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