One of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle‘s favourite designers Simone Rocha has unveiled a collaboration with high street store H&M.
The label, which was launched by 2010 by the Irish designer, who lives in London, is famed for delicate tulle dresses, tartan tailoring and sparkling jewellery with pearl embellishments in a poetic colour palette of cream, pink, red and black.
It is beloved by royals and has developed a cult following over the last 10 years, with celebrity fans including Daisy Edgar-Jones and sisters Adwoa Aboah and Kesewa Aboah posing in the styles in a campaign for the collection.
Individual pieces from the line will be revealed in February, before going on sale on 11 March.
One of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s favourite designers Simone Rocha has unveiled a collaboration with high street store H&M
Others to star in the campaign include stylist, collaborator and close friend of Simone, Robbie Spencer, model and friend Tess McMillan.
Delicate tulle dresses, tartan tailoring, beaded shirting, cable knits, outerwear such as trench coats and signature accessories like sparkling jewellery and pearl-embellished shoes are all among the pieces on offer.
The collection includes her signature womenswear alongside menswear and kidswear, marking the first time she has offered a wardrobe for the whole family.
Speaking of the collection, Simone said: ‘To be honest, it was really emotional going through all the pieces — it was a wonderful chance to reflect on seasons I was especially proud of, and to revisit collections that felt like milestones, and little gems of ideas that we maybe didn’t push as far as we wanted to the first-time round.
It is beloved by royals and has developed a cult following over the last 10 years, with celebrity fans including Daisy Edgar-Jones and sisters Adwoa Aboah and Kesewa Aboah posing in the styles in a campaign for the collection
‘The archive is so important to the way I work as a designer anyway. We are not a brand that abandons ideas each season — we often look back on past propositions or continue to evolve a silhouette, or shape.’
She continued: ‘My approach at every stage of the design process was to remember that for some this would be an introduction to Simone Rocha, a chance to enjoy the brand for the first time, while for others this will be a chance to recall the history of a brand that they have followed for a while.
‘Maybe they will be able to buy a version of a piece that they missed the first time, or a piece they always wanted but didn’t get.
‘Through H&M, they will be able to access a new, timeless, special piece to mix in with their existing items from past runway collections. I really hope there is something for everyone — every woman, every guy, the whole family.
The collection includes her signature womenswear alongside menswear and kidswear, marking the first time she has offered a wardrobe for the whole family
The label, which was launched by 2010 by the Irish designer, who lives in London, is famed for delicate tulle dresses, tartan tailoring and sparkling jewellery with pearl embellishments
The designer has proved popular with royals and celebrities alike since its launch 11 years ago.
The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a pair of Simone Rocha earrings for one of her final appearances during her Farewell Tour in March 2020.
The royal wore ornate jewels featuring burgundy faceted glass beads constructed to look like flowers as she attended the Mountbatten Festival of Music last year.
Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge has also long been a fan of the designer, having worn a pair of Simone Rocha crystal earrings to attend a garden party in 2017.
Duchess of Cambridge has also long been a fan of the designer, having worn a pair of Simone Rocha crystal earrings to attend a garden party in 2017
The royal opted to wear the dangling red jewels during a visit to Berlin in Germany.
It comes just five months after H&M’s last designer collaboration with The Vampire’s Wife, which sold out in just hours.
The collaborations come amidst a challenging period for the big high street retailer.
Fashion chain H&M saw its sales drop by 10 per cent this quarter as the second wave of Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions continue to hammer the retail sector.
The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a pair of Simone Rocha earrings for one of her final appearances during her Farewell Tour in March 2020
In July, H&M announced plans to permanently shut 170 of its stores across Europe after the pandemic accelerated its plans to streamline its store numbers.
Swedish-based H&M, which is the second biggest clothing retailer in the world, said its sales staged a recovery until the end of October this quarter, but began to drop off amid heightened lockdown restrictions towards the end of the year.
H&M is competing against online-based rivals including Asos and Boohoo, which have enjoyed a marked upturn in sales as shoppers spend more time at home.
— to www.dailymail.co.uk
