Designer Download: Rachel Roy

By Amy Flurry
April 29, 2010

Rachel Roy (photo at left provided by Rachel Roy; photo at right by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for The Travel Channel)

Rachel Roy’s beauty, her imposing stature (she’s a little over 6 ft. in heels) and her success as a designer could easily intimidate. In only six years, she’s built a global label that now includes not only her premier designer line, Rachel Roy New York, but also a diffusion brand, Rachel Rachel Roy, available at Macy’s. Despite high-profile fans who include Michelle Obama and Penelope Cruz, the New York-based designer has a way of making any casual acquaintance feel you’ve been friends for years. The mother of two sat down with us recently and with thoughtful candor, dished on everything from how she uses eBay to keep her home clutter-free to her spring collection to the favorite products inside her beauty bag.

The Inside Source: You don’t shy away from wearing color and you’ve always mixed and matched prints in your collections. Do you carry this aesthetic over into your home as well?

Rachel Roy: No, actually. At home, I’m very much a minimalist. Because I have such a vibrant office space, emboldened by all of the samples and fabrics, I need a more calming, cleansing neutral palette at home. And I’m always trying to simplify my home.

TIS: Have you ever used eBay to sell things?

RR: Absolutely! I was raised by an Indian immigrant. I have way too much guilt to throw things away. So when I’m ready to clean out the closets, I post pieces on eBay. I find I get better prices for them than on consignment.

TIS: Any tips?

RR: Well, [as a buyer] I appreciate when sellers blow up the pictures. And in my experience as both a buyer and seller, it’s worth it to take the extra time and energy to write a detailed description rather than to just throw an item up with only one one-line.

TIS: You’re a busy woman. When do you find the time to shop eBay?

RR: When the kids are both finally asleep, I either read or jump online. I call it my “mind-melt” time.

Rachel Roy Spring 2010 (Photos by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

TIS: Are you a collector?

RR: I collect shells and I prefer finding them. It’s about the hunt, and where you were when you found it. And then there’s always a possibility that the next one you find will be even more beautiful than the last. In that way, eBay has the same kind of feel. There’s always the chance of finding some gem, something posted by someone with the same voice as you, the same point of view. My friend Justin Giunta of Subversive Jewelry finds little nothings here and there and then makes the most thoughtful, fanciful pieces out of them.

TIS: You’ve always maintained that you like looking your best, both on and off the playground. How do you achieve that?

RR: The same way I approach designing. The goal is to offer a combination of classy and edgy pieces and then to be able to easily combine them so as to look effortless. I do a lot of mixed-print dresses and odd color combinations. This gives those classic pieces an edge. Another one of my signature styles is a trench coat/dress, which I can throw on in three minutes and still look pulled together without having to have my best body day going on.

TIS: And you design some great statement jewelry!
RR: I love edgy jewelry. I am also a big on costume jewelry, too. You can find great pieces on eBay. I don’t believe that these kinds of accessories have to cost a lot to look great.

Rachel Rachel Roy Crystal Accent Bird Ring ($38), Skull Charm Necklace ($85)

Statement Jewelry from eBay

Roll over items for details

Charm Bracelet Faux Coins & Mixed Metals Vintage

Vintage Turquoise Silver Filigree Charm Dangle Pendant (winning bid, $12),

(buy it now price, $11.99)

Vintage Turquoise Silver Filigree Charm Dangle Pendant

(winning bid, $12)

Suede & Silver Chain Feather Necklace Bib Multistrand

TIS: Spring standouts?

(winning bid, $48.90)

TIS: Spring standouts?

RR: Definitely the air tweed blazer, which is my answer to the tweed blazer (below, left)—so light that it serves more as a cardigan. It’s also a no-brainer that goes with everything.

And I’m really feeling the men’s blouse (below, right). A woman wearing this silhouette, but cut to her body and maybe with one extra button opened, is so sexy.

TIS: What do you use to get those great smoky eyes?

RR: I use Bobbi Brown liner and shadows and also her foundation stick in honey to cover up my dark circles. And Estee Lauder’s TurboLash is brilliant. It’s battery powered and vibrates when you apply it and makes my lashes ten times thicker.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner Black Ink

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Rich Brown #11 (buy it now price, $12.99),

(winning bid, $33.50)

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Rich Brown #11

(buy it now price, $12.99)

Estee Lauder Turbo Lash All Effects Motion Mascara

Amy Flurry is a freelance writer and style editor whose work has been featured in Lucky, Refinery 29, InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, O @ Home, Four Seasons magazine, House Beautiful, Country Living, and The Atlantan.

(buy it now price, $31.49)