Rachel Roy is a California to New York transplant, but there’s no east coast-west coast beef when it comes to her impact on fashion. This uptown chica brings her laid back beach sensibilities to her personal style, the showrooms of New York, and the collection bearing her name.

Roy, cut her chops as a stylist for music videos and magazines. After 10 years in the industry, she landed an internship at Damon Dash’s Rocawear, worked her way up to creative director, married the boss, then launched The Rachel Roy Collection in 2005, intent on giving working girls maximum flow with minimal effort. Fashionistas everywhere started queing up and the accolades started flying. In 2006, Roy, who is of Indian and Dutch ancestry, received a Bollywood industry award for her contribution to American fashion. Her elegant designs consistently turn up in Vogue, W and Vanity Fair.

Before she became designer du jour, Roy worked her signature look through her own wardrobe and soon became a staple in the “on the scene” pages of every style book in town.  Her penchant for simple silhouettes means she’s frequently seen in trim jackets of rich brown hues (cinnamon is a particular favorite) with oversized bags to match. Long, slender skirts are trademark, as are the ruched waistbands and pleats that give many of her looks a draped Grecian 1940s vibe. Last season saw Roy introduce a more feminine element with deeper necklines and understated ruffles adding a sweet-tart twist to her power silhouettes.

The girl is seriously into show-stopping jewelry, opaque and patterned leggings and, as our web reconnaissance uncovered, equally passionate about a couple of other things:

Favorite Spot: A bed with lots of covers. Sleep (when she can get it) is her best friend.
Favorite Pastime: Checking out styles played on the street.
Alternate Profession: High school English teacher.
First Job: Contempo Casuals outlet
Most Afraid Of: Sharks.
Latest Obsession: Controlled volume. “Women are not comfortable in a very risky silhouette.” -Fashionista, January 2007

Roy’s website describes her line as “a collection of modern silhouettes defined by lightness, comfort and purity with fabrics and texture that enrich a natural color palette.”

The designer, it seems, is a natural in her own right.

Links:
Rachel Roy Photo Gallery
Rachel Roy.com  
Fall 2007 Fashion Week (NY Times)