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