John Rocha has announced his retirement from fashion.
The internationally successful Irish-based designer said this morning that his autumn/winter London 14 collection was his last and he will not be hiring a creative director to take over.
Rocha has always said that when he retired the brand would close and his team will now be redistributed to focus on high street licensing.
First showing at London Fashion Week in 1985, John Rocha has had a hugely successful career.
He was awarded a CBE in 2002 for his contribution to the fashion industry and also received the award for Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 1993.
Speaking to Vogue, the designer explained his decision: “People ask me why, and it’s because 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. At this point in my life I want to live by my calendar and not the Fashion Week calendar. Stopping allows me to do that. It’s not an overnight decision, Odette and I have been talking about it for some time”.
John pictured with his daughter Simone
However, John’s legacy will live on through his daughter Simone who has taken the fashion world by storm since her debut collection at London Fashion Week in September 2011.
“Simone can continue the family tradition in fashion,” Rocha said when speaking to Vogue about his retirement.
“In the last couple of collections people finally understand what I’m about and I’ve achieved more than I ever thought. But for now I’m embracing the future. It’s time to move on”.
