Sandra‘s Closet

Pony Kids and Petticoats: Simone Rocha’s F/W 26 Love Letter to Ireland

High above London, inside the faded grandeur of the Alexandra Palace Theatre, Simone Rocha sent out one of the most poetic collections of the season. The Victorian venue, left in a state of beautiful arrested decay, was the perfect stage for what the Irish designer does best: romance cut through with reality.

For F/W 2026, Rocha turned her gaze homeward. The collection unfolded in three chapters rooted in Irish culture. The first act conjured Tír na nÓg, the mythical Celtic land of eternal youth, painted in moss green, olive and deep ruby, with a voluminous satin gown cinched at the waist that felt like folklore made fabric.

The final act celebrated the Weird Sisters, the eccentric siblings of the Yeats family who shaped the Irish Arts and Crafts movement, honoured through rich tapestry prints and tweeds that felt loved and lived in.

But it was the middle chapter that gave the collection its heartbeat: Pony Kid. Rocha drew on Perry Ogden’s cult 1999 photo book Pony Kids, which documented the working class children of Dublin, from both Traveller and Settled communities, who kept and traded horses at the Smithfield Horse Fair. Ogden captured them in the sportswear of the era, tracksuits and trainers worn with a fierce, tender pride. Together with Mike Newell’s 1992 film Into the West, these images of Irish kids and their ponies became the emotional core of the show.

The new Pony Kids collection by Simone Rocha is available now here.

This reference also unlocked the season’s big surprise: Simone Rocha’s debut collaboration with adidas originals, woven directly into the mainline rather than presented as a separate capsule. The designer, who spent her own teenage years wearing adidas running shorts under vintage tutus, made the pairing feel completely natural. Track jackets came with pouf sleeves and her signature pearl zipper pulls, tracksuits erupted in ruffles and scalloped edges, sporty knee high socks were bedazzled with trefoil logos, and a picot edged dress in ivory paper nylon carried a Rocha redesigned trefoil. Lace boiler suits and frills on your tracksuit, as she put it herself.

Of course, the Rocha girl was never far away. Corsages and ribbons trailed from masculine coats, equestrian prize ribbons were pinned to tailored trousers, and hints of vintage lingerie flashed beneath sheer layers. A moss green gown with an oversized bow, a curvy ruby sequin dress with a matching cap and shearling lined aviator jackets in olive grounded the fantasy in wearable, statement making reality.

What I love most about this collection is its emotional intelligence. Rocha took the myth of eternal youth and the very real, disappearing world of Dublin’s pony kids and stitched them into one wardrobe where a ballgown and a track jacket speak the same language. It is femininity with grit, nostalgia without sentimentality, and proof once again that Simone Rocha is one of the most compelling storytellers in fashion today.

The Adidas pieces will no doubt sell out in a heartbeat, but for me the true magic lies in the juxtaposition. Frills on a tracksuit have never looked so poetic.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Simone Rocha
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Sparkle and oversized denim. With a broken heart.

These photos were taken on my daughter Anouk‘s terrace in Boston, a place she called home for six years and is now leaving behind. Moving back to Europe is the right decision. It is also an emotional one. And sometimes the only answer to big feelings is an even bigger look.

And yes, oversized is not exactly the silhouette I reach for first. But that is precisely the point. Because the moment you stop reinventing yourself is the moment you start standing still. In fashion as in life: keep moving forward. That is the real secret to staying young.

My look: Oversized crystal-embellished denim shirt, and matching crystal-embellished wide-leg jeans, both by Stella McCartney, Cassandre cotton T-shirt by Saint Laurent, silver-tone faux pearl necklace, and faux pearl-embellished silver-tone charm, both by Simone Rocha, Hourglass crystal-embellished suede shoulder bag, logo baseball cap, and kit charm key ring, all by Balenciaga, Triple S sneakers in white with black stripes by Balenciaga x adidas.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The outfit: spontaneous, but make it Barbie. A pink tracksuit, worn with complete intention. The jacket silhouette is everywhere right now, and for good reason.

The real talking point: my new Moschino toilet paper roll bag, acquired as a special order ahead of its official launch. Camp and couture in equal measure. The perfect accessory to underscore the glorious kitsch of the Malibu Barbie Café. At home in my closet sits the actual Barbie outfit, still waiting for its debut. But this worked. Perfectly.

My look: Embroidered shell track jacket, and matching shell track pants, both by Givenchy, ribbed cotton tank by Brunello Cucinelli, silver-tone faux pearl necklace, and faux pearl-embellished silver-tone charm, both by Simone Rocha, toilet paper bag by Moschino, drip rose kidskin sandal with crystals 105mm by Valentino, aviator sunglasses with Swarovski crystals by CHANEL, and Oyster Perpetual 36 with a turquoise blue dial by Rolex.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Simone Rocha and Crocs introduce the fifth installment of their ongoing partnership, building on the success of past seasons with a collection that continues to blur the lines between romance and comfort‑driven design.

Simone Rocha does it again, the designer who single-handedly converted the most unlikely Crocs sceptic.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

My favorite are the Ballerina Platforms, that are also available in black …

… and the Soho Sandals in jade.

TO SHOP THE FULL DROP, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Simone Rocha / Crocs
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Marking the beginning of a new month and celebrating Switzerland’s National Day right where I am, in the heart of it. Dressed in Alaïa, inspired by the graceful spiral of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, curves, structure, and movement. Art and architecture translated into fashion.

My look: Cropped asymmetric denim jacket, matching pleated denim mini skirt, and thin spiral gold-tone earrings, all by Alaïa, key charm with pearls by Simone Rocha, Arcadie leather mini bag, doll technical yarn trick, trick key chain with lock, leather, cord and metal trick, and cord bracelet, all by Miu Miu, embellished aviator-style recycled-acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Bottega Veneta, and Nama Leather-trimmed embroidered suede and mesh platform sneakers by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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This Sunday on MY STYLE ROCKS it’s K-POP madness – and your favorite juror (yes, me) showed up like a glitter explosion met a rainbow in Seoul. 🦄💥

I’m rocking:
🖤 A black tulle skirt with maximum drama.
👢 Platform boots that make me 2 inches closer to stardom.
🌈 A denim jacket in rainbow realness (yes, the back is a whole mood!).
💎 A glitter top because subtlety is not in the K-Pop dictionary.
🌙 Space buns? Of course. Iconic, intergalactic, indispensable.
(All details below, just click on the links to be transferred to the respective websites.)

And wait for it… one of the fabulous contestants dedicated a glowbiotic with schisandra to me. I’ve officially made it – skincare meets fan culture meets fashion fantasy.

You do not want to miss this episode. Fashion, fun, and fabulous chaos – just the way we like it.

📺✨ Tune in, scream, screenshot. K-pop your life up.

Worn in Gala Episode 97 of MY STYLE ROCKS Season 2.

My look: Denim jacket «Late» by Mira Mikati, tulle crop top with crystals by Prada, rainbow sautoir by Matthew Williamson, mini tulle skirt by Simone Rocha, strawberry clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, toy choker necklace, rainbow choker necklace with medal, and Hello Kitty printed leather tote, all by Balenciaga, necklace with pink bag charm, and leather gloves with bow, both by CHANEL, Aevitas leather platform boots in black by Versace, and round sunglasses in shiny pink by Loewe.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @whbeyaz
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A touch of lace, a whisper of dreams. For last week’s bridal-themed MY STYLE ROCKS episode, I stepped into a gown that once waited patiently for its moment. Today, it shines under a different kind of spotlight — one that celebrates style, strength, and a little bit of magic. Sometimes, dresses find their destiny in unexpected places.

As worn in Gala Episode 62 «Wedding» on MY STYLE ROCKS Season 2.

My look: Ruffled bridal dress and matching lace garter with blue bow, and veil with feathers, all by Christopher Kane, long daisy leaf clyster earrings by Simone Rocha, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, and white silk pumps with crystals by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @kazmva0
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Softness meets strength — embracing the balletcore trend with a touch of elegance and edge. Tulle, satin, and grace in every step.

I wore this look yesterday in Episode 54 of My Style Rocks Season 2.

My look: Tulle corset dress by Zimmermann, Frilly Tutu Mini canvas shoulder bag by Simone Rocha, Cassia 100 bow-detailed grosgrain-trimmed satin-crepe pumps by Christian Louboutin, silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl necklace by Alessandra Rich, and Rosamund silk-faille headband by Jennifer Behr.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @kazmva0
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Simone Rocha and Crocs have unveiled their newest collaboration, introducing the Stomp Fisherman Sandal. This latest design merges Crocs’ bold silhouette with Rocha’s signature embellishments, featuring crystal and pearl details. Available in Black, Stucco, and Electric Pink, the collection also includes new colorways of the Siren silhouette in Latte and Powder Pink.

Simone Rocha x Crocs Siren in Powder Pink

Available today at the Simone Rocha London and New York stores and online  – shipping worldwide.

London Flagship
93 Mount Street
London, W1K 2SY

New York Flagship
71 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Simone Rocha
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

This collaboration explores the creative juxtaposition of femininity and utilitarianism, bringing to life new designs that combine Crocs’ practical DNA with Simone Rocha‘s signature aesthetic. The collaboration was shown alongside the S/S 2024 collection «The Dress Rehearsal» which explored notions of matrimony and ceremony. The styles reflect these ideas shown through tiered cake inspired embellishments in crystal and pearl that have become synonymous to the brand.

The collection includes three silhouettes – the Classic Clog, the Siren and the Quick Trail.

The Classic Clog was the signature starting point of the collaboration, exploring the idea of adorning the Crocs, pushing the style into a precious place in contrast to its practical nature.

The Siren is a new shape marrying the ideas of femininity and practicality.

The Quick Trail is rooted in Crocs’ authentic comfort, an archive style that has been reissued and reimagined.

The collection is available at Simone Rocha stores and online from April 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Simone Rocha
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!