Rachel Roy pictured at Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards film premiere in New York, NY on September 14, 2017.
Rachel Roy, born on January 15, 1974 in California, is a fashion designer. She currently resides in New York City. After garnering immense success at the fashion brand, Rocawear, Rachel founded her eponymous brand (where she also serves as creative director) in 2004. She is described as “a tireless activist for using your voice to encourage change and to design the life you wish to live,” on her official website. Rachel turned her ready-to-wear and accessories business into a globally recognized brand with product categories including contemporary, curvy, outerwear, jewelry and swim. She’s a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Rachel founded Kindness Is Always Fashionable — an entrepreneurial philanthropic platform to help women artisans around the world create sustainable income for their families and communities. In 2018, she was named a UN Women Champion for Innovation, and works for the UN advocating gender equality and focusing attention on these and related issues. Rachel mentors young designers globally through her work with the Who’s Next/Vogue Mexico, WoolMark Prize and CFDA incubator programs. She is an advisor to World of Children — a national non-profit organization that serves underprivileged children. In 2019, Rachel and her daughter Ava Dash co-wrote a young adult novel set in India, 96 Words for Love. Rachel married film producer and director Damon Dash in late 2004 or 2005. They share two daughters together: Ava and Tallulah Ruth Dash. Rachel filed for divorce in 2009.