Texas native Lela Rose graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. Rose then headed to New York to study fashion design at Parsons School of Design where she graduated in 1993. Her education continued under the tutelage of Christian Francis Roth, as Design Assistant and soon thereafter, with Richard Tyler as Design Assistant and Fabric Buyer. Rose worked with Tyler for three years in Los Angeles and New York. In 1996, Rose's vision and passion compelled her to create her signature collection, Lela Rose. Through intricately designed and finely detailed separates, dresses and jackets, Rose has established herself as a renowned designer. "My philosophy of design is about creating beautiful, hand-finished clothes that exude a casual luxury and refinement".

Lela Rose's beautifully detailed collection has garnered her a following of trendsetters across the country. Today, her collection can be found at in-store boutiques in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Stanley Korshak. In addition, Lela Rose sells in over 60 specialty stores nationwide. Her collection can also be found in Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's as well as internationally in Canada , Taiwan, and Japan .