He was a strong, influential designer with an international reputation, who anticipated many of the most prominent fashion trends of the 20th century. Rochas is a fashion, beauty, and perfume house founded in 1925 by Marcel Rochas, the first designer of 2/3-length coats and skirts with pockets. It is currently owned by Procter & Gamble.

The company found recent recognition for its fashion design when it chose Olivier Theyskens as its creative director in 2002. (In the years leading to his appointment, its clothes had not been considered notable). Theyskens, within his first few months, created an "entirely new silhouette for the house" that was French-influenced and elegant. His first full collection, for Fall 2003, was praised by style.com as "ravishing" and "nothing short of magnificent."