Topson Downs acquires Rachel Roy

Topson Downs, an LA-based apparel and manufacturing company, has acquired a majority stake in the Rachel Roy brand from The Jones Group for an undisclosed sum. The deal means that Rachel Roy’s legal battle with parent company The Jones Group has come to an end. The designer filed

a lawsuit against The Jones Group for discontinuing her designer label, without her permission before the New York manufacturing group was acquired by Sycamore Partners. When the group attempted to sell her brands and trademarks to Bluestar Alliance, Roy took them to court and was granted a preliminary injunction by the New York Supreme Court to prevent the sale.

The Rachel Roy brand has now been acquired by Topson Downs, after they purchased The Jones Group’s 50 percent stake, and the privately-held LA-based apparel firm have disclosed that they will assume all operations and that they plan to collaborate with Roy.

In a statement, Topson Downs said that they plan to form a partnership with Roy to “develop, market and license” the New York-based fashion brand, while adding that Roy will maintain 100 percent creative control of her name and will continue on as chief creative officer of the business. In addition, the apparel firm has stated that they have plans to “re-set” the Rachel Roy higher-end designer brand as well as the category expansion of the contemporary Rachel Rachel Roy collection, a lower-priced line sold at Macy’s.

Topson Downs acquires majority stake in Rachel Roy label

Commenting on the acquisition, Roy said: "I'm thrilled to be working with Topson Downs in this next stage of the Rachel Roy legacy. 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.

“Topson Downs commitment to excellence in manufacturing, retail partnerships, the end-consumer and, above all, the people they employ make them the perfect partner to take the brand to the next level."

Daniel Abramovitch, partner at Topson Downs added: "We see a white space in the market and believe Rachel's aesthetic and vision has room to grow and flourish. 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."

To push forward with the relaunch of the Rachel Roy brands, Topson Downs has named a new president, Denise Johnston, who will oversee all aspects of the lines, including growth and future licensing opportunities. Johnston has more than 25 years experience of running companies such as Liz Claiborne, Emma James, Jack Rogers and GAP Adult North America.

Commenting on her appointment, Johnston said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to build upon an already established fashion brand and see it to its fullest potential. Rachel remains chief creative officer and will continue to spearhead the brand's vision.

“She has built an incredible team over the years and we're very excited that the majority of them are coming over to participate in the expansion of the company. Our job is to support Rachel and her team in every way possible, from finding the right retail partners, to opening stores, to expanding into other categories. We see great promise in making Rachel Roy a true player in the global arena."

Images: Rachel Roy and a look from her Rachel Roy AW14 collection