Personal Background
A native Californian, Rachel Roy is the daughter of a first-generation Indian father originally from Madras and a mother of Dutch ancestry. Rachel's first job in fashion was at a Contempo Casuals clothing outlet in her home town at age 14. She credits her upbringing with instilling the work ethic that has served her well.
Luisa Dress
Strapless dress in floral brocade, boning at mesh-trimmed satin bodice, welt hip pockets, pin-tucked waist
Fashion Career
After attending Columbia Union College in Maryland, she moved to New York, and spent nearly ten years in retail, serving as a personal shopper and stylist for magazines and music videos. She got her break when she met Damon Dash and began interning with his former company, Rocawear. There, she learned about the fashion business, eventually rising to the role of creative director.
Today, Rachel Roy is a Manhattan-based fashion designer. Her namesake line is carried by all the tony purveyors of high style, including Bergdorf Goodman. Her style is a feminine combination of edgy and soft.
Gena Silk Circle Dress: Sand with appliqués, asymmetrical neckline, black shoulder strap, pure silk
Camille Cashmere Skinny Jeans: Black, skinny legs, pure cashmere
She is particularly known for her 1930s and ’40s inspired looks. What specifically about these periods lit her imagination? “It’s a time in history where women were allowed to be feminine but also strong. Marlene Dietrich could wear a suit and a bowtie or wear a ball gown and a wrap and convey femininity and strength in both looks,” she says.
Oh! That Little Red Dress
An Admirable Philosophy
Love that!
A native Californian, Rachel Roy is the daughter of a first-generation Indian father originally from Madras and a mother of Dutch ancestry. Rachel's first job in fashion was at a Contempo Casuals clothing outlet in her home town at age 14. She credits her upbringing with instilling the work ethic that has served her well.
Luisa Dress
Strapless dress in floral brocade, boning at mesh-trimmed satin bodice, welt hip pockets, pin-tucked waist
Fashion Career
After attending Columbia Union College in Maryland, she moved to New York, and spent nearly ten years in retail, serving as a personal shopper and stylist for magazines and music videos. She got her break when she met Damon Dash and began interning with his former company, Rocawear. There, she learned about the fashion business, eventually rising to the role of creative director.
Today, Rachel Roy is a Manhattan-based fashion designer. Her namesake line is carried by all the tony purveyors of high style, including Bergdorf Goodman. Her style is a feminine combination of edgy and soft.
Gena Silk Circle Dress: Sand with appliqués, asymmetrical neckline, black shoulder strap, pure silk
Camille Cashmere Skinny Jeans: Black, skinny legs, pure cashmere
She is particularly known for her 1930s and ’40s inspired looks. What specifically about these periods lit her imagination? “It’s a time in history where women were allowed to be feminine but also strong. Marlene Dietrich could wear a suit and a bowtie or wear a ball gown and a wrap and convey femininity and strength in both looks,” she says.
Oh! That Little Red Dress
An Admirable Philosophy
In a corporate environment, it’s important to dress the way you want to be perceived. For example when I was an intern, I dressed as if I had a role other than an intern because that’s what I wanted. And it’s not more expensive, it’s the same amount of money for a pair of slacks as it is for a pair of jeans,” she says. As women, “We are put down enough in various arenas that we have to set the standards, we have to take ourselves seriously. We have to tell people how to treat us and that begins with how we treat ourselves.
Love that!
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