MANUFACTURING
UPDATE: L.A.’s Topson Downs Acquires Majority of Rachel Roy Label
New York designer Rachel Roy may be seeing a little more of the Sunshine State.
Topson Downs, a Los Angeles manufacturer established in 1971, announced on July 18 it had acquired a majority interest in the Rachel Roy brand from The Jones Group. No purchase price was listed.
The deal should end Roy’s legal tussle with The Jones Group, which stopped producing her line earlier this year before the New York manufacturer was acquired by Sycamore Partners. In April, Roy sued The Jones Group for discontinuing her designer label and denying her access to her own sample room.
Topson Downs said it will form a partnership with Roy to develop, market and license the fashion brand that Roy established in 2005. Topson Downs will assume all operations from The Jones Group, including re-launching the designer line, and expand the contemporary RACHEL Rachel Roy collection, which has been sold at Macy’s. Roy will retain all creative control of her name.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Topson Downs in this next stage of the Rachel Roy legacy,” the designer said in a statement. “My partners and I share a vision on how to nurture and grow a brand through strategic investment to position it for great success and longevity.”
Denise Johnston has been named president of Rachel Roy and RACHEL Rachel Roy. She will oversee all areas of the line, including licensing.
Topson Downs—which has several juniors, misses and contemporary labels sold at Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s, Target and Walmart—saw an opportunity to expand the line. “We are excited to continue to grow our exclusive partnership with Macy’s with the RACHEL Rachel Roy brand and engage in a more omni-channel approach. This brand has endless possibilities,” said Topson Downs partner Daniel Abramovitch.
Topson Downs’ other brands include BleuLab, Love, Fire, TT Collection, Elwood and Tinseltown.
