John Rocha to retire from LFW
The Dublin based designer has announced his retirement from the London runway in an exclusive interview with Vogue. Born in Hong Kong, John Rocha has been showing his collections in London since 1985 but will not be back this September.
Citing a desire to live his life to according to his own schedule, rather than that of the international fashion calendar, the designer is looking forward to retirement: “I want to do more with my time. I left Hong Kong in 1971 and I have never been back to spend Chinese New Year with my family because it always falls in February during the shows. In 40 years I have never taken more than ten days holiday at once.”
“We are extremely sad to share the information that John Rocha has retired from London Fashion Week,” announced the Facebook page for the designer’s Dover Street store in London, adding that there will be some celebration nonetheless “For the upcoming months we will be showing you the retrospective of John’s amazing work! Stay with us!”. While the main line is ending, staff at the brand’s Dublin studio will be retructured into the company’s high-street licensing operations.
The 58-year-old is of course, also the father of up-and-coming designer Simone Rocha who picked up the prize for best emerging womenswear designer of the year at the 2013 British Fashion Awards. “Simone can continue the family tradition in fashion,” explained Rocha.
