| Big name department stores seem to be | | | | In addition to designing for Debenhams, John has |
| attracting an increasing number of notable fashion | | | | designed specifically for celebrity clients such as |
| designers as both sides of the fashion coin see | | | | Angelica Huston, Marianne Faithful and pop star |
| the mutual benefits of this friendship. The stores | | | | Ronan Keating. |
| on the high street benefit from innovative new | | | | He has extended his design outside of clothing into |
| looks and the designers see the advantages of | | | | interiors and home accessories. In 1997 the John |
| the huge audience and clientele of the high street. | | | | Rocha at Waterford Crystal collection was |
| John Rocha who made a name for himself with | | | | successfully launched and in May 1999, the |
| the Chinatown label in Dublin in the 1980s is a | | | | Morrison Hotel in Dublin was John's first interior |
| perfect example of this symbiotic relationship. | | | | design project and is now one of Europe's most |
| Born in 1953 in Hong Kong of Chinese and | | | | popular hotels. Successes of projects outside the |
| Portuguese descent, John Rocha graduated from | | | | realm of fashion have lead John to also begin a |
| the Croydon School of Art in London then quickly | | | | jewellery line for women. |
| moved to Dublin, Ireland where he started his | | | | John has been twice awarded the prestigious |
| career with the Chinatown label. The use of Irish | | | | British Designer of the Year title in 1994 and in |
| linen during his studies inspired his move to the | | | | 2002. He has also received the Commander of |
| country which he still calls home. Since the very | | | | the British Empire (CBE) in The Queen's New |
| start of his career, John has endeavoured to | | | | Years Honours list. |
| develop and refine his own distinctive style born | | | | After his publication, John Rocha, Texture, Form, |
| during his first years in Ireland and is still heavily | | | | Purity, Detail, an illustrated study of John's design |
| inspired by fabric, silhouette and technique. | | | | philosophy and influences, it is clear that there is |
| John launched 5 distinct ranges for British | | | | no route of design that will be left unopened by |
| department store Debenhams under the name | | | | this designer. His creations appeal to the masses |
| Rocha.JohnRocha in Autumn-Winter 2000 including | | | | as well as the elite and he has an eye for both |
| menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, | | | | while retaining his own creative look and being able |
| accessories and homes and living. His unique | | | | to explore all the while. A designer to watch for in |
| combination of Chinese and Celtic design as his | | | | the future as well as learning from his past |
| main influences can be clearly seen throughout his | | | | designs, it is lucky for us that we can continue to |
| collections and have been described as plain, | | | | watch his growth through his easily accessible lines |
| simple and fluid but at the same time funky and | | | | at Debenhams. |
| wearable. | | | | |