VIDEO: Grazia meets designer Rachel Roy

If you're not already familiar with Rachel Roy then commit her name to memory, like, now. The US designer has been steadily gathering a loyal A-list fan base Stateside after she launched her ready-to-wear collection in 2005 following a six year stint at Rocawear. But when Michelle Obama chose one of her beautiful print dresses from the Spring Collection to wear to the National Volunteeering Conference in San Francisco just last month, the whole world sat up and took notice. ‘I only found out the next day!' she told us this morning when we met up at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair. ‘She requested a bunch of dresses so I really just had my fingers crossed... You can't beat the First Lady of America choosing to wear one of your pieces and I love that she's supporting newer and younger designers.' And what did she think of the much talked about ‘Armgate'? ‘I thought it was a great choice. It actually really inspired me to go pick up my dumbbells!' In spite of Roy's ever growing profile within the industry though, which is no doubt set to continue with her diffusion line ‘Rachel Rachel Roy' hitting the US in the coming months, she still gets star-struck. ‘I have a huge crush on Lanvin's Alber Elbaz. I ran into him at the Met Ball this year and told him how I felt. Another time I was sat at a table with Oscar de la Renta once just grinning away, but I don't think he had a clue who I was.' Surprising we reckon, given Roy's hardworking ethic as she juggles full time fashion design with single motherhood to two young daughters. ‘I think that's something I have in common with the rest of the world, but you just kind of get on with it. I'd love to design a range of childrenswear though, there's nothing cuter than little dresses and accessories.' A play date with the Obama girls in the pipeline then perhaps?