Rachel Roy Had the Perfect Response When Asked About Designing For All Body Types

J. Farruggia Photography
J. Farruggia Photography

While the fashion industry's surely on the road to accepting and designing for all different body types — curvy, athletic, petite, or otherwise — there's still a long way to go until everyone can shop the same chic styles. But one woman who's on a mission to make that happen? Designer Rachel Roy, who not only extended sizes for her own line last February, but created a stunning, sexy tuxedo dress for curvy model Candice Huffine at this year's CFDA Awards.

"What I would like is to just have it be 'it is what it is,'" she revealed to us exclusively before the event, speaking about the future and fashion being more inclusive. "Just having it be how you found your scarf and your shoes. It's not that I don't want it to stand out, I just want it to exist in the same way that Rob found a sweater. I'd rather that be the conversation — how much was it, what store it's from, it looks great on you, or I want to get those pants. It should just be like breathing — it is what it is."

Those aren't the only words from Rachel that deserve a round of applause and a "that's what I'm talking about!" Read on for the touching reason she got into fashion in the first place and why Candice's CFDA dress is one that works for every occasion.

On the Dress She Designed For Candice Huffine
J. Farruggia Photography

On the Dress She Designed For Candice Huffine

"I love wearing a suit — with a white shirt, with nothing, with a cami," Rachel told us when asked about the sexy black number she designed for the model. "It's just cool and it feels equal parts strong and sexy. It's also an easy outfit and not too fussy. She can walk into any room, whether it's the CFDA or any type of black tie event, and it would be appropriate. That's the other thing about a tux gowns. They're literally appropriate at any cocktail or black tie party. Seasonless."

On How Fashion Can Brighten Your Mood
J. Farruggia Photography

On How Fashion Can Brighten Your Mood

"Something I like to say to my customers or the people that I work with is that the right garment, the right dress, can make you remember what's beautiful about life. That's the really valuable side of fashion, that feeling of confidence and happiness. We can get a bad rap in fashion for a number of things, but I've witnessed numerous times over the years pure joy on someone's face when they feel they look good."

On the 1 Fashion Myth That Needs to Be Broken
Getty

On the 1 Fashion Myth That Needs to Be Broken

"What I know to be true for sure is that we all want the same thing. Whether you're 14 or 44, whether you're black or white, whether you're curvy or skinny or something in between, we just want to feel beautiful. And for me, I want to feel beautiful and smart. It's a myth that any of us want something other than that."

On Why She Got Into Designing and Creates Clothing For All Body Types
Getty

On Why She Got Into Designing and Creates Clothing For All Body Types

"I think some designers get into the business because of a dream and a passion, and for me, that dream and that passion was to make people feel good no matter where they came from. I grew up in the part of town that was just not . . . it wasn't great. I knew right away, when I started working in fashion at 14 at the mall, that you can change who you are based on your thoughts, what you put on your body, and what you put on your face — it doesn't matter where you come from. So in that aspect, fashion is a big equalizer. I got into it wanting to make people feel good. I think some people get in because it's a dream to create art and who knows what. It all starts with the intent. So if [making people feel good] is my intent, why wouldn't I include everybody?"