Rocha ‘does his own thing’ in London

THE penultimate day of Britain’s biggest fashion carnival had a strong international flavour, with Irish-based John Rocha joining German and Turkish designers on the catwalk.

Rocha held one of the first shows of the day in a makeshift hall outside the Natural History Museum, where London Fashion Week is based.

Inspired by a recent trip to Africa, the range of ragged-looking dresses, sharp suits and transparent, chiffon shirts came in simple creams, browns and blacks with the odd splash of red, purple and orange.

Rocha, born in Hong Kong of Portuguese and Chinese descent, but living in Dublin since 1978, said his cultural background was translated into his work.

“I kind of do my own thing. It is a mix of all my different influences,” he said after the show, which featured 50 outfits made of natural fibres such as linen, silk and cotton.

With outlets in some 28 countries, Rocha’s fashion and jewellery business has an annual turnover of some €200 million.

Asked on his tips for next season, he said: “I think ladies should buy something that is in transition - not just here for today, something that they know they can treasure for many years to come.”

Also on yesterday was a typically funky and celeb-packed presentation from actress Sadie Frost and her best friend, designer Jemima French, who set up their own label in 1999.

This spring/summer 2006 offering, however, will likely attract media interest because of Frost’s friendship with Kate Moss, facing a police inquiry after newspaper pictures of her snorting cocaine.

Others presenting their wares included Turkey’s Bora Aksu, renowned for his use of layers in silk, chiffon and heavy cotton.

C. neeon, a German team of Clara Kraetsch and Doreen Schulz, was also on the 10-strong list of shows.

They have won a string of accolades in the last year and are appearing at London Fashion Week as one of the so-called new generation award winners.

London is generally regarded as the poor cousin of fashion weeks in Paris, New York and Milan. But it is nonetheless famous for attracting unknown names and elevating them onto the international stage.

The likes of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Stella McCartney all debuted there. This year, 19 new names are in the catwalk shows or presenting their outfits at The Exhibition - a specially set up area at the museum, packed with 170 exhibitors.