South China Morning Post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Fashion
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
Fashion designer Simone Rocha, whose father is from Hong Kong, shares her favourite finds on a recent visit to the city and what her family rings mean to her.
Post MagazineFashion

Profile | Fashion designer Simone Rocha on her antique jewellery, top Hong Kong finds, skincare picks and favourite places in the world

  • Simone Rocha, an Irish-born, London-based fashion designer whose father is from Hong Kong, reveals where she goes when in Hong Kong and what she likes to buy
  • She also reveals her go-to places around the world, one particular product that is part of her skincare routine, and why her rings are ‘very personal’ to her
Fashion
Vincenzo La Torre
Vincenzo La Torre
Why you can trust SCMP

From Hong Kong, I love bringing home those little padded jackets for my daughter from Stanley Market or other traditional markets and I also give them as presents to my godchildren.

For Ireland, I love inviting people there and showing them around and having a Guinness with them – that’s what you do.

I love perfumes by Frédéric Malle – my favourite is Carnal Flower – and also products from Buly 1803.

I use Dr Barbara Sturm skincare, especially the Enzyme Cleanser. She has a store on Mount Street (in London), where I also have a store, and is a nice neighbour to have.
A traditional padded jacket for girls.
Carnal Flower perfume by Frédéric Malle.

In Dublin, Ireland, I love being by the sea. I always go to the Vico when I’m home.

In London, I love the Royal Academy of Arts, in Piccadilly, especially the courtyard. I once did a show there.

The Vico Baths in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock
The Simone Rocha store on Ice House Street in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, I have a soft spot for Ice House Street, not just because I have a store there, which is incredible, with neighbours like Comme des Garçons. Even before I had a shop, I would always go there.

I spend a lot of time in the south of France, in our own residence there, but a place I love to stay at is La Colombe d’Or, also in the south of France, Saint Paul de Vence. I also love Chateau La Coste, which is in a vineyard, in Aix-en-Provence.

I’ve never been to India but would love to go, and to Iceland.

Claridge’s is a beautiful art deco hotel in London. Photo: Claridge’s Spa
In Dublin, I love The Merrion, a beautiful old hotel, and in London, Claridge’s, a beautiful art deco hotel, and Hazlitt’s in Soho;it’s very small and old-fashioned. In Hong Kong, I always liked the original Mandarin Oriental.

Recently I’ve been reading Irish novels. One of them is Dancing at Lughnasa (1990; by Brian Friel), which is more like a play. I also went to see La bohème at the Royal Opera House in London, which was wonderful, and I plan to see an exhibition at Tate Britain by a British artist called Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, who does these amazing oil paintings.

All my rings are very personal. This pearl ring was my grandmother’s and I really value it; my grandmother from Ireland. This is an antique Irish ring etched on glass, which says “Ireland Forever” in Gaelic.

Simone Rocha’s vintage jewellery.

What I love about my cameo ring is that it has daisy scallops around the edge, which is close to the way I work with embellishments.

The vintage Cartier watch was my 21st birthday present.

Post