Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is back for a second season of her Bravo reality show.
(Evans Vestal Ward/Bravo)
G FORCE | RACHEL ZOE
Still going ‘bananas’
Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is back for a second season of her Bravo reality show.
(Evans Vestal Ward/Bravo)
It was thanks to the petite, oversize-sunglass-loving Rachel Zoe that the phrases “I die’’ and “Bananas!’’ entered the American lexicon last year, along with a look at the behind-the-scenes drama of working as a celebrity stylist. Zoe’s Bravo reality show “The Rachel Zoe Project’’ (airing Mondays at 10 p.m.) returned for a second season last week, and in a display of just how much power she truly wields, this season Zoe offers design advice to some of the biggest names in the game, including Karl Lagerfeld (gasp!) and Giorgio Armani. We caught up with Zoe earlier this month as she was beginning another frenetic, coffee-filled day of making the red carpet a more glamorous place.
Q. I always get the sense when I watch the show that what we see are the real crunch times, but are your days always that crazy?
A. It’s really like that 90 percent of the year, sometimes 95. It depends. You find that when the fashion industry is having its downtime, then Hollywood is having its up time. It doesn’t slow down very often.
Q. Has the recession actually had an impact on your business?
A. I don’t think it’s had a direct impact in the sense of there being less work. I think the difference is that people look at things differently. The studios are asking “Do we need that many outfits for this many press events?’’ I think the strategy behind things is thought out more. Things are done more carefully and people pay attention more. People just aren’t as frivolous any more.
Q. I’m guessing you haven’t lost many clients?
A. No, knock on wood. I think I’m actually taking a few more on right now.
Q. Can you find the time? As it is, you seem to be pushing yourself pretty hard.
A. It’s case specific. It depends on what’s going on. But if it’s someone who I’m really excited to work with and we’re a good match, then it’s meant to be.
Q. Where does your sense of style and your love of fashion come from?
A. Like many young girls, you go into your mom’s closet and fall in love with jewelry and makeup. In my case I had very sophisticated parents - very arty, cultural jet-setters with impeccable taste. I was around women who were very eccentric and glamorous at a young age, and I think I just started to really admire it and really emulate it.
Q. Is there anyone in Hollywood you haven’t worked with that you’d love to dress?
A. Johnny Depp. Yup. I want to put him in a couture gown. No, I’m kidding. I would never chase down a client. Well, maybe Michelle Obama. That would be a dream job.
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