Rachel Comey
| Company type | Independent fashion label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Rachel Comey |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Apparel, footwear, accessories |
Rachel Comey is a New York City-based American fashion designer operating independently. She established the Rachel Comey label, which offers apparel, footwear, and accessories distinguished by an "intellectual, arts-and-crafts-inspired style."
Early life
Originating from the vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut, Comey completed her studies at the University of Vermont in 1994, concentrating on Asian studies alongside printmaking and sculpture.
Career and brand
Following graduation, Comey was employed at an art gallery in Vermont and designed novelty underwear pieces. Relocating to New York City in 1997, she began freelancing as a production assistant and later served as a design consultant for Theory. Additionally, she crafted costumes for Eugene Hutz’s band Gogol Bordello, who was her boyfriend at the time. In 2001, after a stylist acquaintance noticed her work, she received a commission to create two hand-painted shirts for David Bowie, charging $100 each. Shortly thereafter, her external projects led to her termination from Theory.
Comey debuted her menswear line in September 2001 and introduced womenswear by 2004. Her Spring-Summer 2004 ready-to-wear collection earned accolades from Vogue for its assured yet effortless designs that resonated with sophisticated clientele.
She became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2009.
The brand has drawn attention from notable figures such as Miranda July, Rashida Jones, and Lady Gaga.
Fashion shows
Comey’s inaugural formal fashion presentation took place in September 2001 close to her Tribeca workspace. This menswear-exclusive street show featured models including Waris Ahluwalia and Devendra Banhart.
For the Spring-Summer 2014 ready-to-wear season, she organized a seated dinner event at Pioneer Works in Red Hook, Brooklyn, which incorporated a performance by Justin Vivian Bond. This event initiated a series of innovative showcases held at locations like Hauser Wirth & Schimmel in Los Angeles. To mark the fifteenth anniversary of her brand in 2016, Comey presented the Spring-Summer 2017 collection on Crosby Street, New York City, revisiting the street-style format of her first show.
She is also noted for selecting nontraditional models; her Spring-Summer 2016 runway included "artists, eccentrics, dancers, and businesswomen" alongside established professional models.
Unisex line
In March 2017, Comey introduced a gender-neutral clothing collection that promotes inclusivity under the concept that "clothes are for everyone."
Pop culture
Comey appeared in a 2002 documentary short centered on Gogol Bordello.
In 2014, she played herself in the episode titled "Rachel" from the web series High Maintenance.
Personal life
She lives in SoHo, New York City with her husband Sean Carmody and their two children.
External links
- Rachel Comey on Instagram
- Refinery29's "Unstyled" Podcast episode featuring Rachel Comey: [1]
- Rachel Comey profile