Rachel Zoe is one of the most influential forces in fashion today. Raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, she was exposed at a very young age to the worlds of contemporary art and fashion by her parents. With her mother's influence and access to countless designer treasures, she developed a very strong passion for vintage and all things glamour. After completing her degree at George Washington University where she studied psychology and sociology, Rachel moved to New York City to take on the fashion capitol of the world. She started her career as a fashion assistant at a New York-based fashion magazine and was quickly promoted to senior fashion editor. Seeking to diversify her experience, she began to work directly with top pop stars and actresses to create their images and continued to work as a contributing editor to numerous fashion magazines.
An avid fan of old Hollywood glamour since childhood, Rachel decided to undertake a new challenge and move to Los Angeles where she could merge the worlds of fashion and Hollywood after working a decade in the fashion world of New York City. Immediately, Rachel made a name for herself amongst celebrities and high profile personalities by singlehandedly bringing the vintage movement into fruition with her devotion to the style eras of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Determined to make her style accessible to all, Rachel's first tome, Style A to Zoe, hit bookstores in October 2007. It was released in paperback domestically in September 2008, making the very prestigious, New York Times Best Seller List.
In September 2008, The Rachel Zoe Project debuted on Bravo and instantly made Rachel Zoe a household name. By welcoming audiences into her world, she provided access into the previously unseen worlds of fashion and jet set lifestyle.
Inspired by the success of her luxury handbag design collaboration with Judith Leiber in 2006, Rachel felt it was time to embrace her passion for design and launched Luxe Rachel Zoe, a collection of jewelry, handbags, scarves, sunglasses, hats, and outerwear exclusively for QVC. Determined to make her iconic style accessible to all, Rachel created one of the most successful launches in QVC history.
In an effort to further expand her direct relationship with her audience and share her knowledge and expertise, Rachel launched "The Zoe Report," a free daily newsletter featuring her latest obsessions in the ever-evolving worlds of fashion, beauty and lifestyle in August 2009. In response to the demands of her growing digital audience, she launched two additional daily newsletters, "Zoe Beautiful" and "AccesZOEries," in October of 2011 focusing on beauty and accessories.
Recognizing her success as a call to expand her fashion imprint, Rachel launched her eponymous contemporary collection in 2011. Drawing on vintage-inspired fabrics, patterns and the spirit of her style icons from the '60s and '70s, her line introduced separates, footwear and handbags evocative of the modern take on timelessness, which she had come to be known for. In February 2012, Rachel also announced the launch of an extensive jewelry collection, taking inspiration from her personal vintage collection, as well as a highly anticipated cold weather accessories line of hats, gloves, belts and scarves.
The newly formed Rachel Zoe Productions (RZP) creates programming that is relevant, relatable, and aspirational and collaborates with innovators in the fashion, beauty, design, travel, home, and lifestyle spaces. Known for infusing glamour into every day life, RZP brings Rachel's enthusiasm for style and accessible luxury across a variety of platforms. With its first show premiering on the Style network this spring, RZP's original programming showcases a variety of life experiences through the lense of style.
Rachel's latest venture will now bring her expertise to the hair industry with DreamDry, a chain of blow dry salons opening its first two locations in New York City this year. Whether dressing her distinguished clients for the red carpet or styling editorial spreads, Rachel believes that hair completes any look. With DreamDry, Rachel is creating a place where women can go to ensure that their hair is consistently as stylish and chic as they are.
Rachel has been the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards including: The Fashion Group International’s Fashion Oracle Award, the Accessories Council Fashion Influencer Ace Award, Hollywood Life Magazine’s Star Stylist Award and Hollywood Reporter’s Most Influential Stylist. And perhaps most notably, Rachel was the recipient of 2011’s Launch of the Year Award from the Footwear News Association.
Rachel currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Rodger Berman, business partner and President of Rachel Zoe, Inc., and their son, Skyler.
