Rachel Roy: What Every Woman Needs in Her Wardrobe PLUS Travel, Style and Beauty Must-haves
Rachel Roy is a dynamic fashion designer whose pieces have been seen on every leading lady from Michelle Obama, Diane Sawyer, Jennifer Garner, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson. I met Rachel at a recent event and was blown away by her support of entrepreneurial women and charity. The gorgeous native Californian, whose personal beauty shines through every one of her designs has worked in the fashion industry since her teenage years as a sales girl– which she calls her early market research! Before designing her own line, she styled magazine shoots, music videos and was creative director for Rocawear. Since the launch of her Rachel Roy line in Spring 2005, Rachel has had a whirlwind of success including being inducted into the CFDA, appearing on Oprah, and launching RACHEL Rachel Roy, a diffusion line sold exclusively at Macy’s. Rachel shared with me what she has been up to lately and offered some of her best tips and products picks!
MM: You have a very interesting background. How has that influenced you as a designer?
RR: I’ve always loved fashion and taking risks in both what I wear and what I design as this has been a guiding principle for me. I’ve never let fear paralyze me but rather let my passion drive me. One of my goals is to help other women realize this as well.
MM: We are so excited about your new collection, what was your inspiration for FW 2012?
RR: My fall 2012 collection is inspired by the documentary Women in the Dirt which highlights the works of seven award- winning women who have made their mark in the field of landscape architecture and are changing our world. From this, the idea of modern landscape architecture and the influence of nature was really interesting to me– balancing the clean lines of landscapes and natural colors and interesting material combinations and details.
MM: What are 3 items you always have on hand during fashion week?
RR: Yoga mat- I practice yoga two to three times a week. The meditation helps me stay centered. Music- it’s one of the quickest routes to dream and always inspires me. Candles- the comforting and continuous glow of a Jo Malone candle while I work is a must.
MM: How do you unwind after such a whirlwind week?
RR: Take a breath, thank my staff and then off for some R & R. First I sleep and then I have a proper meal since I have been living off coffee and sugar for the past two weeks preparing for the show. I’ll spend some quality time with my daughters, visit the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza Hotel for one of my favorite facial treatments, and lounge at home and watch re-runs of The Office or Modern Family. Then it’s right back into designing the next collection!
Rachel Roy’s Best Summer Beauty Tips
With a focus on summer getaways, we sat down with designer Rachel Roy, and she gave us the scoop on her Summer Beauty Must Haves for a weekend on the beach. Below are her personal tricks to looking bright, fresh and flawless.
What makeup do you carry with you for a weekend getaway?
I always carry Burberry Lip Cover NO.04 in Rosewood and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
Buy Now, Burberry Lip Cover NO.04 in Rosewood, $30
Buy Now, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick compact, $39
Buy Now, Estée Lauder TurboLash Mascara, $32
How do you keep your make-up in tact during a day on the beach?
I don’t wear any! On the beach I stick with Strawberry Lip Smacker by Bonne Bell
Buy Now, Strawberry Lip Smacker by Bonne Bell, $2
Buy Now, Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne, $60
Buy Now, Clarins Spray- SPF 50, $32
How do you style your hair for a day on the beach?
I usually wear my hair down with little maintenance or pull it back in a pony. One of my fave summer products is KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum– I’m obsessed! It combines natural botanical extracts from India with state-of-the-art technology and makes your hair so shiny and reduces frizz (an essential with beach air!) To me, the perfect beach look is tousled, easy, loose waves- similar to the look that Gisele Bundchen has perfected!
Buy Now, KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum, $26.50
Do you change your makeup and fashion routine in the summertime?
Yes! During the summer I definitely channel my bohemian chic favorites – for example Raquel Welch, Bianca Jagger and Miss Trinidad, all circa the 1970’s. In terms of summer fashions, I love high-waisted denim, men’s style blouses out of sheer cotton and long maxi skirts and dresses.
What do you always make sure to pack when you travel somewhere warm?
My must-haves when traveling somewhere warm are my Indian thong sandals, vintage 501 men’s Levi’s, a perfectly worn in brown leather belt, white tank tops, Theodora and Callum boutique print wraps and sarongs, gold door knockers and always my gold Manon body chain.
What are your three summer essentials?
1. My iPod- such a must for a day on the beach. See my summer playlist- it’s on RachelRoy.com now!
2. Tunics- they are not only easy to wear in the summer time- but also serve as a great beach cover up. There are some in my Rachel Roy pre-fall collection that I am living in.
3. Lotion- I mix Jo Malone Rose-Scented Lotion with Chanel NO. 5 Lotion as my summer perfume – after a tan it’s really all you need!
Buy Now, Jo Malone Rose-Scented Lotion, $65
Buy Now, Chanel NO. 5 Lotion, $50
 Rachel Roy approaches the design of her eponymous collection with a feminine and modern point of view. Her goal is to create clothing for women who embrace fashion and dress with an effortless elegance and confidence. The results encapsulate a fresh version of glamour that evades the standard protocol for dressing today.
Originally from California, Rachel attended college in Washington DC. Upon graduation, Rachel pursued her passion for design, and moved to New York City to work freelance; styling magazine shoots and music videos. Rachel launched her career at Rocawear and quickly rose to become Creative Director overseeing seven licensees and running all of the design departments and their teams for Rocawear Juniors and Girls. Rachel launched her own collection, Rachel Roy New York, in Spring 2005. With striking silhouettes, a sophisticated color palette and inventive pairings which transition from day to evening, Rachel’s iconic and versatile pieces – the trench dress, the dinner blouse, the day-to-night dress – have become must-have pieces in women’s closets. In one of the fashion industries highest honors, Rachel was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2007. A frequent contributor to fashion stories in various publications, Rachel has been featured as a columnist for InStyle magazine, covered Oscar fashion for EXTRA TV on the red carpet, and has appeared on episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show, America’s Next Top Model, and Project Runway. Rachel volunteers her time with a number of organizations including New Yorkers For Children and OrphanAid for Africa. In 2009, Rachel was recognized by the Accessories Council with an ACE AWARD for best brand launch for RACHEL Rachel Roy. Roy has garnered editorial acclaim for both her lines in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Vanity Fair, Glamour and InStyle. Michelle Obama, Eva Mendes, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Iman, Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow, Estelle, Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow among others have worn pieces from Rachel’s collections. |
Outfitting the Perfect Guest Room With Eve Robinson
These items are sure to give your guest a luxurious weekend retreat this summer season!
Toothbrushes:
Anthropologie Acca Kappa Toothbrush
These toothbrushes are not only stylish but made of entirely biodegradable materials. Perfect for that weekend guest who forgets the No. 1 bathroom essential, this toothbrush brings a little glamour to a notoriously unsightly bathroom accessory!
Buy Now, $6.50
Fancy Guest Soaps:
Jo Malone Bath Soap Bars
Nothing welcomes guests like freshly scented soaps! With several fragrance combinations to choose from, these Jo Malone soaps will leave your weekend guests with a spa-like satisfaction.
Buy Now, $50 for 3 Bars
Cotton Robe:
John Robshaw via Gracious Home Cotton Voile Robes
Comfort and design go hand-in-hand with these fun printed robes. John Robshaw has taken the functional classic robe and given it a twist with a punch of color and cotton perfectly suited for any room and weekend guest!
Buy Now, $95
Alarm Clock:
Unica Home Anything Alarm Clock by Michael Sodeau
These modern yet easy-to-read alarm clocks are the perfect bedside accessory for any guest room. In four different colors, they are appropriate for any décor and give your guests the comfort of mind knowing that they won’t miss out on any weekend fun!
Buy Now, $69
Water Carafe:
Design Within Reach Night Carafe
Made of blown glass, this carafe is sure to impress any guest. Its sleek design is a perfect complement to any bedside table and is an elegant alternative to the standard nighttime water cup.
Buy Now, $80
 After studying art history at Vassar College, Eve joined the ranks at Ralph Lauren. Unfulfilled by the world of houndstooth and plaid, she pursued a career in interior design, completing the Interior Design program at Parsons School of Design. Since founding Eve Robinson Associates, Inc. in NYC, Eve’s work has appeared in numerous magazines, books, and been featured on HGTV’s Interiors By Design. After a hectic day of work, Eve enjoys cooking for her family and helping her kids with homework. Read More… |
