Inside the Grade II listed Goldsmiths Hall on London’s Foster Lane, Simone Rocha revealed a collection steeped in childhood nostalgia. “Distilling the past for the present,” read the first line of the designer’s show notes, turning back time to reminisce on school days and the fabled tale of The Tortoise and the Hare. Fiona Shaw, Bel Powely, Grace Burns, Fionn O’Shea and Alexa Chung were just a few of the famous faces who walked the designer’s FW25 show, heading down the runway to a soundscape mix including The Shangri-Las’ Past, Present and Future and Radiohead’s No Surprises.

The Tortoise and the Hare came to life on the runway in varying forms with giant fur bunnies and porcelain tortoises populating the collection, wrapped around models’ necks, held under arms or placed in the palm of hands. Faux fur was fashioned into micro shorts, sweeping overcoats and bandeau tops while supple leather formed structured silhouettes of biker jackets and mini dresses. Further nods to childhood memories were felt in the delicate pink and blue bows atop dresses, billowing as models walked, and belts crafted from bike shed locks. This season also saw Rocha delve deeper into her menswear offering with pleated knee-length shorts, frilled rugby shirts, mesh vests and bejewelled socks. In borrowing from the past, Rocha delivered a clear vision for the future of her namesake brand as she enters her fifteenth year as one of London’s most cherished names.