Fashion’s Night Out with RACHEL Rachel Roy and Jessica Stam

Last year’s Fashion’s Night Out found me at the Rachel Roy pop-up shop, shopping and partying with the likes of Estelle, DJ Lady Bunny, Renee Neufville of R&B group Zhané and of course, Rachel Roy herself.

And this year I’ll be there again - mixing and mingling with Rachel Roy and top model Jessica Stam.

For Fashion’s Night Out 2010, Roy collaborated with Stam to create a four–piece capsule collection for RACHEL Rachel Roy, available in Macy’s and on RachelRoy.com this October. But on Fashion’s Night Out, you can get styled by Roy and Stam and get the inside scoop on their collection. You’ll also have the chance to get your photo taken for Roy’s ‘real girl’ lookbook which will benefit charity: water.

WHAT: Fashion’s Night Out 2010 with Rachel Roy and Jessica Stam
WHERE: Macy’s Herald Square (Level 2)
WHEN: Friday September 10, from 6-8pm

In case you can’t make it, be sure to shop the collection now, on Rachel’s Facebook pop-up shop - for three days only! Let us know what you cop!

Haute find: RACHEL Rachel Roy Stitched Up Tie Dye Suede Jacket

The days may be finally getting warmer, but we still need something haute and stylish for those cooler spring nights. The Stitched Up Tie Dye Suede Jacket by RACHEL Rachel Roy is the perfect jacket. Made of 100% suede leather, the jacket boasts a brilliant blue hue with white tie-dye detail. Zigzag stitching adds an organic element to it. There’s a front zip (but we guarantee it’ll look much cooler unzipped) as well as zippers on the sleeves, accented with suede tassels. Worried that tie-dye isn’t versatile? Think again! The tie-dye print mixed with the cropped style of the jacket looks great with a simple tunic, oversized tank or tee shirt, paired with skinny jeans or a slim skirt. Wear it with a dress and some hot accessories for a boho-glam look.

$249.00, RACHEL Rachel Roy

Rachel Roy wants you to ‘pay it forward’ with a $1,000 grant for social change

We love Rachel Roy of course, because she’s a brilliant designer. But we also love her for her love of all that is good. We met her at her spring 2010 preview event at Macy’s and she chatted with us a bit about her support of women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment.

Rachel is a huge proponent of social change, constantly working on new ways to improve the lives of others through charity, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. For example, instead of celebrating her birthday this year, she asked family, friends and fans to donate to her Charity Water campaign in lieu of gifts. She is also working with OrphanAid, and has also partnered with Fairwinds to fairly employ female artisans in Africa.

It’s Rachel Roy’s belief that charity = clarity, and in support of this, the RACHEL Rachel Roy team is offering a $1,000 grant to 3 people to help improve the lives of others. Entrants have until May 31 to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to create a “charity” that would essentially improve the lives of those in their lives or community.

In addition to the grant, the entrants will receive a Flip camera to document their plan in action with footage of their works and videos displayed on RachelRoy.com.

A good idea with a social and selfless mission could make a small but profound effect on the lives of others.

For more information on how to enter check out Charity = Clarity on RachelRoy.com.

RACHEL Rachel Roy ushers in Spring 2010 collection with a performance by Estelle

Last week I was invited to attend a preview of the Rachel Roy Spring 2010 collection at Macy’s - Herald Square. The opportunity to meet Rachel was enough for me to be excited about, but on top of that, her friend, singer and jewelry collection co-designer Estelle was scheduled to perform as well. The two gorgeous and talented ladies came on stage and Rachel introduced Estelle, who then performed a set of several songs, including her new hit song ’Freak‘ and my personal fave – ‘American Boy‘. Then Rachel met with fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs while models posed in her latest collection.

I chatted with Rachel – who was an absolute sweetheart, by the way – about her fashion line, women entrepreneurs, and accessories. She complimented me on my necklace; I adored her Skull Two Finger Ring, which unfortunately is now sold out! I wore my RACHEL Rachel Roy 24hr Dress for the occasion, and spotted a new version of it for spring – the Mini Painted 24hr Leopard Dress. This has to be one of the most fabulous dresses I’ve ever owned because the fit is simply amazing. This modal dress hangs and drapes in all the right places, and you can dress it up with heels and jewels, or dress it down with flats. It’s extremely comfortable and flattering for any figure, and the leopard print adds a nice touch for the season.

Buy for $99 at RACHEL Rachel Roy online, or at Macy’s.

J. McCarthy/Wireimage

Sponsored post: the RACHEL Rachel Roy spring lookbook is here!

Love RACHEL Rachel Roy as much as we do? Click the image below to check out her Spring lookbook and shop to your heart’s content!

Exclusive Rachel Roy + Estelle Facebook pop-up shop

At last year’s Fashion’s Night Out, I visited the RACHEL Rachel Roy pop-up store and it was amazing. There was a graffiti wall, a drag queen DJ, celebrity appearances and of course, Rachel Roy’s hot collection of apparel and accessories for Macy’s. Well, if you didn’t get a chance to make it, don’t worry – next week Rachel will be hosting a digital pop-up store on her Facebook page.

Rachel Roy, along with singer (and her close friend) Estelle, created a limited-edition jewelry collection. If you’re her fan on Facebook, you’ll get a chance to preview – (and shop!) the collection before it even goes into stores. The pop-up shop launches on February 9 and will stay open for only three days. You’ll have the chance to buy Rachel and Estelle’s collaborative jewelry collection includes funky rings, ear cuffs, and statement necklaces. Prices will range from $34 - $50. Plus, you will get the chance to buy an ultra-exclusive full-finger petal ring that was designed for Rachel & Estelle’s closest fashion and music friends. The petal ring will only be available through Facebook!

Mark your calendar to shop this exclusive sale of February 9!

Click to fan Rachel on Facebook

For more on Rachel Roy, visit Rachel Roy online.

Rachel Rachel Roy’s TransFOURmer coat is more than meets the eye

Just in time for fall, the RACHEL Rachel Roy collection debuts the new TransFOURmer coat. What looks like a chic black princess-style peacoat is actually several coats in one. Unzip and wear it in a variety of different ways: remove the bottom to wear as a motorcycle jacket; take off the sleeves and bottom for a haute vest. It’s also lined on the inside with Rachel’s signature colorful graffiti print designed by graffiti artist SenOne. The coat is available for purchase now on Rachelroy.com for $189 but note - it doesn’t ship until 11/5.

Ed: I’ll be getting one.

And check out this video on how to wear all of the different looks for the Transfourmer coat.

Fashion’s Night Out #FNO09: RACHEL Rachel Roy pop-up store

I headed over to the RACHEL Rachel Roy pop-up store and the line was down the block! Not surprising since this collection has been buzzworthy for months. And once inside, I saw that it was worth all the fuss. Usually designer diffusion lines are poorly constructed or cheap fabrics are used, but this collection was very well-made and just lovely. I wanted to grab just about every piece in the store but only left with the ‘Love’ script necklace and Peace Sign earrings.

The store was like one big party - in the front there was an area filled with graffiti panels designed by renowned tag artist SenOne. Guests could leave their own tags too. Drag queen/DJ Lady Bunny put on his/her own outrageous show, twirling around the store and dancing like a madwoman….or madman.

I chatted with a few celebs - RACHEL Rachel Roy model Karen Blanchard. I adored her bag, which I initially assumed was some couture designer creation but was actually scored on the cheap at a vintage store. And she studded it herself! Fabulous and resourceful - my kind of girl! I also ran into Malvin Vien of the current season of Project Runway. We chatted about what he’s been up to since the show - he’s designing his own line and also involved in non-profit work. I also spotted Renee Neufville of former R&B group Zhané. I gushed over her music as well as her style. She looked amazing in a brown and white zebra print hooded jumpsuit (vintage Diane von Furstenburg), a gold belt from her mom’s closet and a red leather clutch by Alexander Terekhov (Terexov). Loved her throwback wide fingerwaves, blue nails and neutral makeup. She revealed that she’s working on a solo album that may drop in December. I for one can’t wait! She was at the event to see her friend Estelle, who was scheduled to perform but I took off before she got there - had to finish my shopping rounds.

 

 

 

 

 

In New York? Visit the store:
RACHEL Rachel Roy pop-up store:
111 Spring Street (between Mercer and Greene)
September 9th through September 16th
Open 11am-8pm, Monday to Saturday and 10am-8pm on Sunday

Next up: the Anna Sui for Target pop-up store.

Stay tuned to What’s Haute for New York Fashion Week coverage!

RACHEL Rachel Roy collection now available in stores and online

I was excited to learn that Rachel Roy’s new affordable collection called RACHEL Rachel Roy, is now available at select Macy’s stores as well as RachelRoy.com. I first told you about the RACHEL collection back in April, with just a preview of the accessories. Well now the full line is here and it has been worth the wait! The RACHEL Rachel Roy collection includes affordable contemporary sportswear, along with footwear and accessories. The RACHEL Rachel Roy collection was designed to “capture a fresh and youthful look that reflects today’s culture by mixing elements of downtown cool with uptown chic at affordable price points”. I love the look of all of the pieces but my personal faves include the necklace tee, the ‘Love’ scripted necklace, and a few of those right on-trend studded bags. The line retails from $59 to $299 for sportswear, $79 to $199 for footwear, $40 - $195 for jewelry and $69 to $109 for handbags.

Check out the images of the complete collection below, and visit RachelRoy.com to shop!