Born outside of Hartford, Connecticut, Rachel Comey attended the University of Vermont as an art major with a focus on sculpture. After college, Comey moved to New York City to further pursue opportunities in the arts.Her earliest efforts in fashion came as costume designer for bands in the downtown music scene, earning her a place in the 2001 WhitneyBiennial. In 2001, Comey launched her eponymous collection of menswear inspired by the young music scene in New York. Thanks to strong word of mouth, the collection proved a success, and she began to develop a loyal following. By 2004 Comey had added womenswear and footwear to her burgeoning business. The women's collection quickly took off and developed its own grassroots following. Her collections became known for artful custom textiles, graceful modern silhouettes, and covetable footwear. The brand appeals to the intelligence and independence of her customers,who appreciate locally produced garments, thoughtful hand crafted details and an offbeat charm. All woven garments are made locally in midtown Manhattan while knitwear and footwear is made in Peru. The collection is stocked in many of the world's finest boutiques and department stores. In 2012, the online shop, rachelcomey.com was launched. In Spring 2014, the first Rachel Comey flagship store will open at 95 Crosby Street in New York, New York.