The restored Alexandra Palace makes its debut in Simone Rocha’s SS20 catwalk show

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A post shared by Jamie Rockers (@beautyrocksblog) on Sep 15, 2019 at 11:27am PDT

Simone Rocha used London’s storied Alexandra Palace as the backdrop to her whimsical SS20 catwalk show yesterday – the first time the venue has ever hosted a fashion show.

The restored Victorian theatre reopened last year after being shuttered for 80 years, though architects Feilden-Clegg Bradley minimised their interventions, choosing to shore up the structure and leave its peeling and patinaed brick walls intact as much as possible.

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Irish designer Rocha used the building’s faded grandeur to mesmerising effect for her show, inspired by the Celtic tradition of Wrenday. Models walked down a bare floorboard runway dressed in floating embroidered dresses with frilly necklines, and doily-lace skirts.

Guests meanwhile looked on from the newly installed balcony – including editor Anna Wintour.