Style Setters: Designers with Influence, Rachel Roy

Two years after starting Rachel Roy New York in 2005, the California native behind the eponymous line was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America and lauded by the Accessories Council for her brand’s launch. Five years later, Rachel Roy is still a formidable — and fierce — force on the style scene, bringing New York Fashion Week collection after collection of ready-to-wear for the mobile, a la mode woman. Amidst motherhood, philanthropy, magazine contributions, and prepping for her Spring 2013 debut, Roy chatted with Glam about her design influences, her fondest fashion week memories, and where she likes to be leisurely outside of the white tents.

The Italian islands. The lifestyle is free-spirited and so chic, from everything from food to fashion.

My favorites are Sant Ambroeus, the outdoor restaurant at The Greenwich Hotel, and ABC Kitchen; but lately I’ve been taking people to Nomad.

You never forget the first time you show your collection at Fashion Week but each one has meant something special to me – most of all my team coming together and creating something really special.

It was all about the beach – from time with the girls in Santa Monica at Shutters to the relaxing country-side nature of the Hamptons to an amazing Italian island adventure!