Rachel Roy – Inspired and Inspirational

Roy grew up in Northern California and graduated from Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, MD with a degree in communications.

Rachel’s first job in fashion was at a Contempo Casuals clothing outlet in her home town at age 14. After college, Rachel moved to New York and became an intern at Rocawear, where she rose to become creative director of the women’s and childrens divisions. She also fell in love with ½ of the Rocawear brand, Damon Dash. They married on January 15, 2005 and have a daughter named Ava.

In 2005 she launched her own fashion collection, Rachel Roy, which debuted in department and specialty stores. Her designs are one of my favorites, sophisticated, classy, yet sexy.

Rachel Roy has moved up the fashion ranks quicker than anyone of our generation. In early 2006 Roy received a Bollywood industry award for her contribution to American fashion. Rachel Roy has been worn by Michelle Obama, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. In 2007, Rachel appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, a milestone in such a young career. Also in 2007, Roy was inducted into the CFDA and shares that honor with other prestigious designers.

In an ultimate sign of success, Jones Apparel Group is supporting Rachel Roy in her Rachel Rachel Roy brand, expanding her wholesale business globally, introducing new product categories and stand alone stores in the United States and abroad. That’s some serious expansion!

Roy is multi-cultural with Indian and Dutch ancestry.

ASIANCE: What was your first job in fashion? How did you know that this industry was right for you?

Rachel: I have known I wanted to be a designer since I was 8 years old. I was back-to-school shopping and realized that I hated the selection I had to choose from – I wanted to do something about it myself. My first job was in retail at the age of 14, and I have worked in the industry ever since. When I moved on to the more behind-the-scenes side in licensing, I got a firm understanding of the business side of fashion which helped me to build a foundation on which to eventually start my own company.

ASIANCE: How would you describe your eponymous womenswear line and the women you design for?

Rachel: Classic with a twist. I design my collections for the modern, independent woman whom I aspire to be.

ASIANCE: I saw the sketch of the pop-up store in SoHo for your secondary line, Rachel Rachel: Rachel Roy (through Twitter, of course). Besides designing for a younger demographic, how is RRR different from your womenswear line?

Rachel Rachel Roy is the younger sister of the Rachel Roy collection. She is metropolitan, worldly, educated, and current.

ASIANCE: With Indian ancestry from your father’s side and Dutch from your mother’s side, do you feel that these cultures are important aspects of your life and your designs?

Rachel: Being a first generation immigrant, I had the best and worst of both worlds. My father was quite strict, and both he and my mother worked very hard. These ideals are now with me and have helped me to succeed both personally and in the workplace. I’ve taken many influences from both sides of my family. Indian women to me are equal parts demure and sexy, and this conflicting story is something I always work into my collections. Beyond that, India is one of the most inspiring places in the world.

ASIANCE: It can be compromising to be both an entrepreneur and a fashion designer simultaneously. Do you ever feel compelled to design more of what sells rather than what is innovative and new?

Rachel: Not at all. My designs are driven by inspirations such as people who love design, those who wear clothing in distinctive fashions, bright colors, the ever-changing weather and the way the light changes with it, the multitude of cultures that co-exist in the world, women’s stories of strength in difficult times, and many other natural aspects of the world. I believe inspirations and the passion behind them are the key to successful design.

ASIANCE: Where do you draw inspiration from for your next collections?

Rachel: My Fall collection was inspired by the movie, “The Conformist.” I love the dark and romantic mood of the film.

ASIANCE: What will your staple items for this Fall be?

Rachel: My favorite look from my Fall collection is a chain bustier top in powder blue paired with grey cropped pants.

ASIANCE: What was the most exciting moment in your career thus far?

Rachel: Everyday. Despite the long hours and immense amount of work, my job never fails to remain fulfilling and exciting. I was also over the moon when I dressed Michelle Obama and went on the Oprah show twice!

ASIANCE: Describe a typical day for you, especially living in a city as bustling as Manhattan.

Rachel: Because I am so busy with my two lines now, there is no typical day for me. The best constant for me is having my two daughters to wake up to and come home to everyday.

ASIANCE: What is your advice to people who want to launch their own lines or work in fashion, especially in economically troublesome times as these?

Rachel: Intern, intern, intern. At as many houses as possible – you will pick up something valuable wherever you are.

Writers: Celine Bayla and Catherine Yan
Photographer: Kristin Brynn Costello
Photo Assistant: Alexandra Skae
Hair/Make-up: Christie Lee)