'It's not ideal... People always presume that being the kid of a well-known person makes it easier than it is' Simone Rocha

For Simone Rocha, fashion designer in the making and general bright young thing, the last few months have been fairly full on. Fresh from her honours degree in fashion design from NCAD, she spent the summer as an intern at British Vogue and she's just started an MA in fashion design in women's wear at Central St Martin's in London, alma mater of fashion greats like John Galliano and Stella McCartney. Oh, and she's recently back from Berlin where she represented Ireland in the prestigious Fashion Academy Awards. Rocha is already being touted as one to watch by several fashion editors. "At the moment, there are not enough hours in the day," the 22-year old sighs.


The name 'Rocha' and fashion are already synonymous because of her dad John. Whether following a famous father into the same field works in your favour is debatable.


Certainly the name might open doors initially and will generate a lot more interest than if you came from non-famous stock. But the level of expectation and the gleeful anticipation of possible failure are also far greater. Does her father's reputation cast an inescapable shadow for her? "No, no, but the thing is, I've so much respect for him. I wouldn't be where I am without him or without the company because since I've been a child, I've been so influenced by what he does, and obviously the amount of extremely artistic people he works with," she says. "Of course, it's not the ideal situation and being the kid of a well-known parent in the same area is… you know, people always presume that it's much easier than it is. But because we have such a good relationship, I'm secure with how it is and as long as people think that I'm good, I don't really mind." Does she seek his advice? "Yes. He's an extremely busy man and now we live in different countries but he's always there for advice when I need it. He understands that I'm on my own path, though. But of course there's always pressure. People always presume the worst," she admits.


Despite growing up in what she describes as "an inspiring household", it wasn't always a given that she'd go down the fashion route. "I wasn't overtly into school," she says with a touch of irony. "I went to Alexandra College, and when I was finishing school I decided that I wanted to go to art college. It was only when I got into NCAD and had to choose what department I wanted to go into that I decided on fashion. I love it, I really love design, I love fashion, I love wearing clothes, I love that it can take you anywhere," she explains.


Does Rocha, whose degree collection mixed up masculine tailored pieces with softer feminine ones, have anyone in mind when she designs? "Not really but it would have to be someone who is confident and someone who is not into fads," she says. "When you're a young designer it's not like you have a big market out there that you have to produce for. I think that it's better to be more creative. Maybe they're not the most wearable pieces in the world but I like to think that people who want to wear them are cool and not looking for something commercial. They're looking for something individual, something special."


Rocha is happy to have relocated to London, although she doesn't feel like a local yet and misses Dublin's Ranelagh (home) and her dog. The stint at Vogue was illuminating; it wasn't the terrifying place everyone imagines it to be, she says. "Do you know what, everyone is actually really nice at Vogue," Rocha muses. "I love design and it was lovely to see it from another point of view and also because I worked in Dazed and Confused a few years ago, which is a completely different kind of magazine because it's much more raw. At Dazed, they're much more interested in photography, so it was really nice to see the difference between the two."


Different yet again was her previous summer spent working at Marc Jacobs in New York, which she describes as "mad". "It was so hardcore. We were working on the spring/summer '08 show and the month before you were there 24/7." Did she meet Marc? "Yes, and he seemed really nice, really friendly, but obviously a busy man. I was a bit shocked when I saw him because I was thinking more of the 'previous' Marc [who underwent a physical transformation from geek to buffed up]."


How would she describe her own personal style? "This is always the hardest question! It's a mix. At the moment I love old pieces like lace collars and really soft, delicate pieces and then a big man's jacket or a pair of brogues. My style is like my design – masculine, feminine and a bit quirky." And what would she do if the whole design thing didn't work out for her? "I'm too far in now to do anything else. There is no Plan B at the moment."


And how wary is she of throwing herself wholeheartedly into the notoriously fickle, bitchy world of fashion. "What I think is that you have to stay true to yourself. You can't let yourself get sucked into it because then you end up getting extremely affected."


Simone says


Favourite period of design? The 1920s at the moment.


Favourite designers: Comme des Garcons and Junya Wanatabe are just mega. Ann Demeulemeester's stuff is really cool. And obviously my dad. I have a huge respect for the old houses of Balenciaga and Lanvin and what Nicholas Ghesquiere and Albert Elbaz are doing in them.


London, Paris or New York? In London the design is so experimental and creative; in Paris there's such a beautiful history, especially with the couture houses. I find New York the most commercial.


Fashion trends she hates? I really dislike the orange make-up thing.


Listens to: The Cure, New Order, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan


Reads: Roddy Doyle and Xiaolu Guo.


Style icon: My mum


Earliest childhood memory? Being in a basket.


Favourite photographers: Sarah Moon, Perry Odgen, Terri Richardson.


Perfect night out: Lots of friends in a gaff in the countryside.