Rachel Roy - RTW - Fall 2009

Rachel Roy's first few collections left me wanting more but lately, I haven't connected with her vision. Her new lined debuted recently at New York Fashion week and the first thing that popped into many observer's minds was that the presentation borrowed heavily from Stefano Piliati's YSL show last fall, right down to the bowl cuts and black lips.

There's not much in this lineup worth coveting in my opinion and I wonder if the recent buy-ins by TSM Capital and Jones Group (which left Roy with a minority stake in the company) have influence the overall direction of the line. Sales are definitely up, since former Givenchy CEO Marianne Tesler took over two years ago, but much of the spark seems to have left the building.

The inspiration?

Pics: Fashionista

Rachel Roy - Spring/Summer 2009

Hmmm. I don't know what to think about this collection. There are a couple perfectly serviceable pieces mixed in there but overall I think this collection is a bit disjointed, especially the way it is presented. The last four looks could have easily come from four different shows. If I could take home any of these looks, I think I'd go for the cream colored jumpsuit paired with the spotted bondage heels in the second set. In fact, I think I like the shoes more than anything here.

source

Ka-ching!

Picture Source: SoHaute/Typepad

According to W Magazine, Rachel Roy has sold 50% of her eponymous label to Nine West owners, Jones Apparel Group. Last November Roy also sold a minority stake to TSM Capital. There were no specific details of the deal published but Roy will be kept on as a designer and "plans to use the additional funds to expand globally" possibly launching a fragrance line, home goods and a less expensive clothing line. The chic and beautiful designer is a favorite of Andre Leon Talley and often appears on the pages of Vogue but her grace and style were not enough to propel the line into a money maker.  Hopefully the brand won't lose too much of its identity with the new cooks in the kitchen.

Below is a brief piece on Rachel that appeared in Lucky magazine before her marriage to Damon Dash. She's come a long way baby!

Allure: Rachel Roy's Fall Hot List

Source: Luxx @ TFS

Rachel Roy S/S 2008

This collection is a little meh in my opinion. With past collections, I've salivated over nearly every piece but this time around the only items that catch my eye are the mustard dress and the outfit that Rachel is wearing in the final picture.

Source: Posted by robotjon3z on TFS

Rachel Roy: Diva Must-Have List

I love Rachel Roy's sense of style. This was originally posted by "Luxx" on TFS but I had to share it. I always want to know what someone like this is carrying in her purse.

Is Damon Dash Hurting for Cash?

Bossip.com wonders aloud if Damon Dash's recent sale of his Beverly Hills estate is due to his financial woes. A linked NY Post article detailed how Dash's finances are dwindling since his split with Jay-Z. As pretty and stylish as wife Rachel Roy is, her clothing line is still very much in the red. Honestly, I don't really care about their finances, I'm just using this as an excuse to post a picture of Rachel Roy (with Iman and Faye Wattelton.)