Topson Downs has officially purchased a majority share of the Rachel Roy brand from The Jones Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Topson Downs, a privately held apparel and manufacturing company, will form a partnership with the fashion brand  to develop, market and license the collection. In the agreement, Roy will retain 100-percent creative control of her name. Topson Downs will assume all operations from The Jones Group, which was recently acquired by Sycamore Partners. Plans include the re-set of the Rachel Roy designer brand and category expansion of the contemporary RACHEL Rachel Roy collection.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Topson Downs in this next stage of the Rachel Roy legacy,” Roy said. “My partners and I share a vision on how to nurture and grow a brand through strategic investment to position it for great success and longevity. Topson Downs’ commitment to excellence in manufacturing, retail partnerships, the end-consumer and, above all, the people they employ make them the perfect partner to take the brand to the next level.”

Denise Johnston has been named president of Rachel Roy and RACHEL Rachel Roy, and will oversee all aspects of the lines, including growth and future licensing opportunities. She has more than 25 years experience running iconic companies such as Liz Claiborne, Emma James, Jack Rogers and GAP Adult North America. Her extensive background in both wholesale and retail has been cultivated from early management positions at Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Dayton Hudson.