[4] Roy attended Columbia Union College (now called Washington Adventist University) in Takoma Park, Maryland[5] and left to move to New York City where she worked as a wardrobe stylist and interned at the fashion label Rocawear.

At Rocawear, she rose to the position of creative director of the women's and children's divisions and met her future husband, Damon Dash.

[12] Roy designed a capsule collection in partnership with model Jessica Stam for Macy's stores and RachelRoy.com in Fall 2010.

[15] In 2018, she was named a UN Women Champion for Innovation, and rewarded for her work with the UN to advocate for gender equality and bring awareness to related issues.

[6] Clients include Michelle Obama,[18] Diane Sawyer, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Kim Kardashian, Iman, Lucy Liu, Sharon Stone, Tyra Banks, Wendy Williams, Penélope Cruz, [19] and Melania Trump.

[citation needed] Rachel Roy divorced her first husband Yinka Dare, before his death from cardiac arrhythmia in 2004.

[25] Days later, Dash filed a lawsuit against her, alleging breach of fiduciary duties and other claims related to Royale Etenia, a fashion company they founded during their marriage.