What's the difference between Rachel Roy and the RACHEL Rachel Roy line?+
Roy launched the main Rachel Roy collection in 2004, then in August 2009 added The RACHEL Rachel Roy collection, an affordable diffusion line of sportswear, shoes, and accessories. The diffusion label is the more accessible, everyday entry point, sold exclusively at Macy's in the US and at The Bay in Canada, while the eponymous collection sits as the higher line. Pick the one that matches the price and occasion you have in mind.
Is Rachel Roy a good brand?+
It carries real industry credibility. Rachel Roy is an American fashion designer who was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2007 and received an ACE Award in November 2010. Those are peer and industry honours rather than marketing, which is a useful signal when you're weighing a contemporary label.
Who is Rachel Roy?+
Rachel Irene Roy (born 1974) is an American fashion designer, born in San Bernardino County, California, and raised in Seaside. She began in fashion as a wardrobe stylist and intern at Rocawear, where she rose to creative director of the women's and children's divisions before launching her own collection in 2004. She's also an author, having written Design Your Life in 2015.
When did Rachel Roy launch her own label?+
Roy launched her eponymous fashion collection in 2004, after building her credentials at Rocawear, where she had become creative director of the women's and children's divisions. The brand grew from there into ready-to-wear and accessories, with the more accessible RACHEL Rachel Roy diffusion line following in 2009.
Who owns the Rachel Roy brand now?+
As of 2021, Roy's fashion company, Royale Etenia LLC, operates in partnership with Topson Downs. Royale owns 36 percent of the company, and Roy and Damon Dash maintain a 50-50 ownership of Royale. The brand had earlier passed through a Jones Apparel joint venture and a sale to Sycamore Partners, but Roy retained creative control through that period.
Did Rachel Roy really fight to keep her brand?+
Yes, and it's a notable chapter. After a 2008 joint venture with Jones Apparel Group, Jones decided in 2013 to liquidate the Rachel Roy brand and sell her trademarks. Roy sued, and the judge agreed she held 100 percent creative control of her company and could choose the buyer; the suit was settled and the brand eventually went to Sycamore Partners. It's a rare case of a designer keeping the reins.
Which celebrities have worn Rachel Roy?+
Quite a lineup. Her clients include Michelle Obama, Diane Sawyer, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Kim Kardashian, Iman, Lucy Liu, Sharon Stone, Tyra Banks, Penélope Cruz, and others. That spread across politics, Hollywood, and media speaks to a contemporary aesthetic that reads as polished without being fussy.
Where can I buy Rachel Roy?+
The accessible RACHEL Rachel Roy diffusion line is sold exclusively at Macy's in the United States and at The Bay in Canada, which makes it easy to find and try on. The brand has also done capsule collections and special projects over the years, so it's worth checking those official stockists rather than unfamiliar resellers.
What is Rachel Roy's design aesthetic?+
Roy's work is contemporary American womenswear that has dressed everyone from a First Lady to Hollywood regulars, which tells you it leans polished and versatile rather than loud. The diffusion line adds sportswear, shoes, and accessories at a friendlier price, so the look scales from everyday to occasion. If you like wearable, put-together pieces, it's an easy brand to style.
Has Rachel Roy collaborated with other names?+
Yes. In summer 2009 she announced a collaboration with Grammy-winning British singer Estelle on a jewellery line for the Spring 2010 RACHEL Rachel Roy collection, and in Fall 2010 she designed a capsule with model Jessica Stam for Macy's and RachelRoy.com. These collaborations are a good way to find a distinctive piece within the wider range.
