Simone Rocha Review | Fashion Week Fall 2013

Grandma chic has very rarely looked this good. For her Fall 2013 collection, Simone Rocha devised an elegant and forthrightly peculiar tribute to both of her grandmothers, Margaret Gleeson and Cecilia Rocha. Their nationalities (Gleeson was Irish, Rocha was Chinese) seemed to have little bearing on the clothing here, which instead focused on the designer's respect for the two women. A prim sleeveless dress, coat, and suit with a reverse peplum in Pepto Bismol pink opened the show, followed quickly by a few pieces in a solid black fabric or black lace. Then came pieces in ladylike shapes cut from unexpected fabrics, like a tube top and skirt in black patent leather, or a white shirt trimmed with a faux-leopard collar. But even the kookiest of the garments looked cozy and easy to wear. And as if to underscore that idea, Rocha paired every look with flats. And after seasons of sky-high platforms, what better time to give granny's arches a rest?