From Runway to Recipe Book: A Look at the Rocha Siblings’ Creative Journeys
Sibling rivalry often leads to friendly competition, and in the case of soulful designer Simone Rocha and her restaurateur brother Max, it takes the form of intertwining success stories. Both have recently released books showcasing their talents, proving that creativity transcends boundaries.
Simone Rocha’s eponymously named book, published by Rizzoli, captures the essence of her fashion world. Like her designs, it’s elegantly idiosyncratic; the texts, reminiscent of many of her garments, appear in blushing pink, while photographs are carefully cropped into Gothic arches, echoing the church settings she often favors for her runway shows. From runway images to tiny snapshots of the diverse fabrics Simone loves to combine—nude tulle, shimmering tapestries, opulent jacquards, metallic tinsels, pink cottons, crystal bows, thick and thin lace, metallic beading and Perspex—the book is a visual feast. She masterfully blends the opulent grandeur of Renaissance England and Irish mythology with sculptural silhouettes and a dash of punk rock, elevating clothing to an art form.
Divided into five chapters, each beginning with a poetic list of nouns and adjectives, like her fashion show notes, the book plunges into the designer’s world. The chapter "Pony Kids," for instance, starts with: Youth, Unruliness, Naivety, Uniform, Blossoms, Wild, and Refined. Interspersed with the breathtaking fashion photography are close-ups of her coveted pearly Egg Bag, and a cavalcade of artists and stars captured wearing Simone’s rebellious creations—Cindy Sherman, Helena Bonham Carter, Precious Okoyomon, and Chloe Sevigny to name just a few. The book is a testament to Simone Rocha’s ability to blur the lines between fashion and art.
Max Rocha, on the other hand, channels his creativity into the culinary world. His cookbook, titled "Café Cecilia," named after his much-loved restaurant nestled on Regent’s Canal in Bethnal Green, north London, is a testament to his passion for Dublin-influenced cuisine with a French twist. Not surprisingly, it opens with a beloved recipe for Guinness bread, made with jumbo oats and pumpkin seeds. A signature offering often served with a triangle of anchovies nestled between sage leaves lightly fried in batter, the bread encapsulates Max’s playful yet refined approach.
The cookbook even features recipes named after his stylish mother, Odette – Odette’s Pork Pasta and Odette’s Cold Roast Ham, the latter including cider, celery and Dijon mustard among other tantalising elements.
Max’s journey to becoming a chef started as a way to battle personal struggles. As he candidly reveals in his forward, "When I look back on how I got into cooking professionally, it was mainly an attempt to escape depression." After 20 minutes of summoning the courage to enter his first restaurant job in Spring one morning, he went on to work at Mangia in Copenhagen, St John, and then River Café in London, honing his culinary skills and vision before opening Café Cecilia, a space filled with art from Irish artists his parents champion, including the acclaimed sculptor Guggi, and a hub for London’s hip food scene.
Just as Simone’s fashion shows are a must-see spectacle, Max’s Café Cecilia is a culinary destination in its own right, drawing crowds with its unique atmosphere and innovative Irish-inspired dishes. Together, the Rocha siblings exemplify how creative passion can be expressed in diverse and captivating ways.
What is the significance of seeing influential figures like Cindy Sherman and Helena Bonham Carter embrace Simone Rocha’s vision?
## From Runway to Recipe Book: A Look at the Rocha Siblings’ Creative Journeys
We’re here today with renowned fashion designer Simone Rocha, whose new book is making waves in the art and fashion worlds. Simone, congratulations on the release of your eponymous book. It’s truly a beautiful testament to your unique vision.
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Simone, your book is so much more than a simple collection of runway photos. It’s visually stunning, with text appearing in blushing pink and photographs cleverly cropped into Gothic arches, echoing your signature aesthetic. Can you tell us a bit about the concept behind the book’s design?
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(Pause for Simone’s response)
That’s fascinating. It sounds like the book really captures the essence of your brand, blurring the lines between fashion and art.
Speaking of blurring lines, your book features a diverse range of fabrics— from opulent jacquards to punk-inspired metallics. How do you choose the materials that ultimately inform your collections?
**(Pause for Simone’s response)**
It’s clear that your work is deeply personal and infused with stories. You mention drawing inspiration from Renaissance England and Irish mythology—can you elaborate on how these historical and cultural references influence your designs?
**(Pause for Simone’s response)
Simone, your book also features a cavalcade of artists and
stars wearing your creations, including Cindy Sherman and Helena Bonham Carter. What does it mean to you to see such influential figures embrace your vision?
**(Pause for Simone’s response)
Well, Simone, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us. Your book is a true testament to your talent and creativity. We wish you continued success in the world of fashion.
**[[1](https://www.amazon.com/Simone-Rocha/dp/0847873366)]**
