ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Simone Rocha's adidas Collaboration: A Decade in the Making

other · 2026-09-03

Simone Rocha's long-term partnership with adidas Originals, first revealed at her fall 2026 show in February, is set to launch globally on September 10. The collaboration, which has been in development for about two years, was inspired by Irish youth culture and Rocha's teenage habit of wearing adidas under her school skirt. The collection reimagines adidas classics like the Firebird, Superstar, Taekwondo, and Japan through Rocha's signature feminine lens, incorporating lace, pearls, and tulle. Key pieces include a Beckenbauer track top with a built-in tulle tutu, and footwear such as the SR Taekwondo Ballerina and SR Climacool Mary Jane. The campaign, photographed by Justine Kurland, features 11 young women and aims to capture a sense of youth and realism. Rocha, who launched her label in 2010, has previously collaborated with J Brand and Jean Paul Gaultier, and staged her first standalone menswear show at Pitti Uomo in Florence in June. The partnership marks a new chapter for Rocha, who sees it as an opportunity to explore performance wear and reach a different audience.

Key facts

  • Simone Rocha and adidas Originals have entered a long-term partnership.
  • The first collaboration was revealed at Rocha's fall 2026 show at Alexandra Palace during London Fashion Week in February.
  • The full collection will launch globally on September 10.
  • The collaboration has been in development for about two years, with serious conversations beginning around two years ago.
  • Rocha worked with the adidas team in Herzogenaurach, Germany, and explored their archive.
  • The collection includes reimagined adidas silhouettes: Firebird, Superstar, Taekwondo, and Japan.
  • Key pieces include a Beckenbauer track top with tulle underlay and a detachable teardrop pearl zipper pull.
  • The campaign was photographed by Justine Kurland and features 11 young women.
  • Rocha has previously collaborated with J Brand and Jean Paul Gaultier.
  • Rocha staged her first standalone menswear show at Pitti Uomo in Florence in June.
  • The collection is inspired by Irish youth culture and the mythological tale Tír na nÓg.
  • Rocha describes the aesthetic as 'hardcore femininity'.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • adidas Originals
  • J Brand
  • Jean Paul Gaultier
  • Pitti Uomo
  • Vogue
  • Alexandra Palace
  • London Fashion Week

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Florence
  • Italy
  • Herzogenaurach
  • Germany
  • Dublin
  • Ireland
  • Republic of Ireland
  • River Liffey

Sources