The last few weeks have been tough for Rachel Zoe. Her ready-to-wear collection was publicly dropped by Selfridges with other department stores reportedly looking to do the same and rumours were also circulating that Bravo had given 'The Rachel Zoe Project' the axe. While the retail reports are true, it looks like team Zoe won't be leaving the small screen anytime soon.
Yesterday Bravo confirmed that they've given the green light to the fifth season of the reality show. According to the press release, the show will focus on Zoe's transition 'from being a successful celebrity stylist into a the Rachel Zoe brand' and also expect a lot more appearances from 'little fashionisto Skyler...now a walking toddler' too. Zoe used the announcement as an opportunity to comment on the reports about the state of her business saying that, 'My business is up significantly. Just launched jewelry, things are doing well. None of those points from the NY Post article were true and it got picked up by everyone. Our retailer's didn't even blink, though, because they know the truth.'
Over the past few years Rachel Zoe has had quite the success story as her empire has continued to grow. First up was the launch of her ready-to-wear line, which was shortly followed up by handbags and winter accessories and last month, she unveiled her new line of costume jewellery for Neiman Marcus. Unfortunately, though, recent reports suggest that things aren't too good as we had all thought.
Accoding to Page Six, Zoe's collection's haven't been selling well despite the use of her show as a promotional platform. Insiders at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom have reportedly said that interest in the line had 'peaked' and the initial success in London has gone that way too. Last week Selfridges confirmed that they dropped the line because of the high price points and as a result, the stylist won't be attending the Burberry show like she normally does.
Rachel Zoe has expanded into several product categories since establishing her fashion brand in 2011. She's done ready-to-wear, pre-fall and handbags but the only thing missing was jewelry and finally, she's added that to her growing empire. As of today Zoe's new jewelry line is available exclusively both online and at Neiman Marcus stores.
The move makes sense. Zoe is as well known for her statement costume jewelery as she is for her fashion choices so it only makes sense for her to tap into that. The collection, which was unveiled to press this week, includes all the pieces you would expect from Zoe like art deco magnet bracelets, long twisted gold rope and tassel sautoir necklaces and black and gold statement rings and earrings.
The CFDA Awards took place a week ago but the non-profit organisation is still in the headlines. This morning Steven Kolb announced the 26 new members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America's board.
Joseph Altuzarra, Jean-Michel Cazabat and Yvan Mispelaere are three of the new additions along with Rachel Zoe. The move is a big one for Zoe. While she has long been recognised for her styling, the appointment signifies her position as a force to be recognised with her brand too.
Kolb also confirmed that Diane von Furstenberg's run as president, which she started back in 2009, has been extended for another two years. 'Diane has done an excellent job as CFDA president,' she said. 'The time and resources she gives and the vision she has created is a huge benefit for our organisation and industry.'
Last night the CFDA Awards, the Oscars of the fashion world, took place and in New York at Alice Tully Hall and the winners are in. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen took away the big womenswear designer of the year award for The Row, Joseph Altuzarra won the Swarovski Award for womenswear and Phillip Lim for menswear and Tommy Hilfiger was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.
Simon Spurr didn't end up winning the menswear designer of the year award, which was just as well considering all of the controversy surrounding his departure from his namesake line.
The Met Gala is known for delivering strong red carpet looks and Monday night's event was no different. It wasn't only about the clothes though because the beauty looks were equally as strong.
While there were a handful of questionable looks (sorry, Rachel Zoe and Christina Ricci), the majority were flawless. With both hair and make-up it was all about contrasts. Hair looks were either really severe and straight and generally tied back or came in Veronica Lake style waves and make-up was either really natural or dark and vampy.
Have a look through the gallery for my favourite looks.
Taylor Jacobson was my favourite personality on 'The Rachel Zoe Project'. While I'll always have a soft spot for Brad Goreski and his penchant for bow ties and impromptu shopping sprees on the show, Jacobson was no doubt the most interesting character on the program. After a few years hiatus from the world of reality TV she's finally back and is currently gearing up for the premiere of 'LA Style', a new show airing on Oxygen that she's involved with.
As I previously reported, the show follows the lives of four young up-and-coming stylists as they try and make their way to the top in celebrity styling. At the show's launch party this week Jacobson said that you can expect to see more than celebrity dressing from the show. '[The show] portrays a younger generation of stylists, in different genres of styling,' she told Fashionista. 'It’s the making of a music video; editorials–it’s not just straight up red carpet, like a couture dress with Neil Lane jewelry,” which is perhaps a dig at her former boss Rachel Zoe.
That aside, Jacobson was also clear that she wants to use the show as an 'opportunity to clear my name and kind of break off from [my Rachel Zoe Project persona]' and that makes sense. As you'll recall, her departure from Rachel Zoe Inc. was followed by accusations of her stealing from the company. 'I want to show how I'm a stylist, and be known for being a stylist.' When asked Brad she said: 'We're friends. We support each other, I think he's super talented and I wish him the best of luck.;
2011 end in a bad way for Vena Cava. As well as not being able to show their S/S12 collection reports confirmed that they had had to lay off a lot of staff and were forced to move out of their Soho headquaters due to financial problems caused by a loss of a major investor earlier on in the year. But don't worry. The brand are up and moving in a good direction again.
This week the brand released a press release explaining that their money woes had subdued after they managed to ink a new licencing partnership with Li & Fung subsidiary LF USA, which also works with everyone from Keds to Rachel Zoe. Under the arrangement founders Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayok will continue to design and work on the creative side while LF UK will take over the business side. But that's not all. To try and bring in a profit in the coming year the brand is set to expand into new product categories too.
I've always had a thing for Demi Moore. Thanks in part to Rachel Zoe, her red carpet choices over the years have been flawless and her magazine spreads and campaigns have been equally good and her most recent one for Helena Rubinstein is a case in point.
While the retouching has gone a tad bit too far, there's no denying how beautiful she looks in these shots and hopefully it signals her return to health after a tough last few months.
I won't ever see it. I don't think it matters enough to me, to be honest. He should live his life how he wants. He's not in my life and won't be. People move on. All that matters is having good people around me.
