Rachel Roy, American fashion designer with a Dutch mother and an Indian father, grew up in the sunshine state of California, majored in liberal arts, before moving to New York to work as a stylist. She then joined urban fashion line Rocawear, where she rose to a position of creative director for its women and children lines. In 2005, she launched her eponymous fashion label and among her clients are Michele Obama, Sharon Stone and Tyra Banks.

Roy, who also runs the charity, Kindness is always Fashionable recently tied up with FEED, a non-profit organization which began in 2006 when acclaimed model and activist Lauren Bush Lauren designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) School Feeding program. To date, FEED has been able to raise enough money through the sale of products to provide over 60 million school meals to children around the world through WFP. Roy designed a limited-edition FEED 100 India Bag with Bush, a project that hopes to raise awareness and funds to help fight hunger in India.

Excerpts from the Interview

What inspired you to set up your label?

I grew up immersed in the issues of Vogue magazine. I collected and saved almost every issue. I didn’t realise it was one of the first outlets that allowed me to dream as a child. After graduating from college, I moved to New York City, ultimately launching my first collection in the spring of 2004. My first collection embodied an effortless and elegant lifestyle with print and pattern blending, pairing of opposites and defining details, all inspired by strong and sexy women. Now, almost 10 years later, I still design for these confident women.

What are your inspirations?

I am inspired by life, art, colors, emotions, past experiences and what’s to come – my environment and everything around me inspires me daily. Infusing the inspirations I gain from my surroundings, I ultimately design to inspire women to feel like individuals, smart and confident in all my collections.

Can you tell us some more about the FEED 100 India bag that you designed?

I partnered with FEED on this limited-edition FEED 100 India tote bag to help fight child hunger in India. For every bag sold, 100 school meals will be provided to children in India; this type of work is what moves my soul.

What was the impetus for the FEED initiative?

The collaboration originated when Lauren Bush Lauren and I had a mutual desire to help those in need. I started the ‘Kindness Is Always Fashionable’ initiative, which strives to create sustainable employment opportunities for women in the hope of bettering themselves and their families. Lauren Bush Lauren’s FEED Projects is a social business with a mission to ‘Create Good Products That Help FEED the World.’

By working together, we hope to empower people to take part in alleviating hunger in India and to inform consumers that even small actions, including their purchases, can make a difference.

How does a label like yours benefit from tying up with initiatives like these?

I am very blessed to lead the life I do. I design to inspire women. By collaborating with charity groups, I hope to inspire and to encourage charity in all forms. In addition, I truly believe that with charity, you gain clarity, peace and happiness of balance in your life.

Tell us a bit about the process involved… did you design the bag and get Indian artisans to hand-make them?

Lauren and I worked together with Indian artisans to create the beautiful tote. When I look at the FEED 100 India tote, I see life in India and the true culture of the beautiful land.

How is the initiative helping the Indian artisans?

My father is from India and the country holds a special place in my heart. I was excited to collaborate with Lauren to create something that will impact the children of India in such a significant way. What made it even more special was the opportunity to meet the artisans, who handcrafted the bag, on a recent trip to India. Not only does this project feed children but it creates jobs, a vital part of helping people and families create a better life for themselves.

What was your inspiration for the bag’s design?

I recently traveled to India. I hadn’t been to India in 20 years and it was such an amazing experience as I took my oldest daughter, Ava, with me. Seeing the beauty and all that India has to offer through her eyes was a memorable moment that I will never forget. The beauty and culture of the land inspired my designs.

Any future plans related to FEED initiative you would like to speak about?

Charity will always be a part of my life. Therefore, I always have something up my sleeve – stay tuned!