Rachel Roy Pre-Spring ’09 Collection
Jones Apparel Group Inc. (Nine West and Anne Klein) has bought 50% stake in the Rachel Roy company.
You may recognize the fashion entrepreneur from the company she keeps (Damon Dash, music mogul is her husband and business partner).
Rachel Roy‘s epynomous line currently sells in high-brow stores like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Supposedly Rachel Roy, known for classic and sophisticated collections, wants this merger so that she can expand her line into mainstream America.
“So many different areas of growth excite me … having a partner like Jones that is willing to support us is like getting a big brother or family member,” Roy told wwd.com.
So, just how good of a deal is it really? The upside is that she is able to deliver her goodies to the masses, therefore increasing profits. But, is there a downfall to such a merger? There may be, if her mass-produced, off-the-rack doodads become over exposed (as we have seen with lines like FUBU, Jordache, Pierre Cardin, etc.). What would that mean for her luxury line and the future of Rachel Roy’s designs?
Time will definitely tell, but if what has happened to other deigners and brands (like the ones mentioned above) is indicative of what happens when collections opt for instant growth, then the lavish line as we know it may soon disappear into the merger abyss.
Read more about the merger at wwd.com.
Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy
