My Reflections: An Afternoon with Rachel Zoe

I spent yesterday afternoon with a room full of Business Chicks and Rachel Zoe – distinguished stylist, editor designer and mother.

Rachel offered details of her business journey, her love for motherhood and why style is so important. I must admit, I was immediately captivated by the down-to-earth nature of this incredible businesswoman.

It also made me come away deeply reflecting on my own styling business.

However, it was the similar approach Rachel takes to business and life that I connected with.

Like Rachel, I too work with my husband and have a built a styling business from the ground up.  Although she is stylist to the stars, at the end of the day, we both provide a service with the same outcome – to make a person look and feel amazing through the power of style.

So a small look into Rachel’s life…

Rachel bought her first Louis Vuitton bag at age 13! “I still have it, love it and it looks brand new,” Rachel says reminding us to invest in things we love.

Rachel and I think alike in this manner and encourage “investing” and “editing” your purchases. So love what you buy and buy one special thing rather than 10 things you think are average.

This is also something Rachel and I both learnt from our mothers! My mum taught me about buying quality pieces and accumulating less while Rachel remembers her mum always making an effort with her appearance giving her an early understanding of living glamorously.

In terms of her career, Rachel’s first clients were Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys. Rachel has also worked with Jennifer Garner Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendez, Kiera Knightly and Jennifer Lawrence to name a very few.

I on the other hand dress the every day person, Australian’s with no official title or stature required but I do aim to make all my clients feel runway-worthy – so consider yourself stars!

Rachael also offered some beautiful advice across the different parts of her life that I wanted to share with you:

Words to live by:

Be nice to everyone, work hard and don’t think you’re entitled to anything.

Rachel Zoe’s five wardrobe staples:

1. Leather jacket
2. Pumps or ankle boots
3. Pair of GREAT jeans
4. Tuxedo pants or pair of black trousers you love
5. Lots of sunglasses

Style vs. glamour

“Style is confused with glamour… style is a really incredible form of self-expression,” explained Rachel.

“It’s a real indication of how you’re feeling that day and how you approach style,” she added.

And like Rachel said and also something I remind clients of everyday is that style is not expensive. It should fit into your budget, your life and be your way of showcasing your best self to the world.

Motherhood

Rachel has been married to Roger Berman since 1996 (a long time in Hollywood years, Rachel playfully said) and the pair has two sons – Skyler and Kai.

Roger also helps Rachel run her empire whilst trying to balance work with family life – something she always puts first.

“My children own me, they make me a better person, a human, grounded, focused person,” she said.

Rachel also insists that her and Roger try not to speak about work in their personal time and when she spends time with her kids, she is on a digital detox – no phone, technology and she is completely present with them.

“I fight for my weekends, anything that takes me away from kids has to be important, has to be for a good reason,” Rachel added.

A lot of these family challenges Rachel experiences resonated so deeply with me so I am quite emotional writing this blog.

My husband Cal and I run Style with Cindy and I can completely relate to the challenges that come with building and running a styling business. All the while trying to keep it all together and connected on the home front while still being a mum.

In Business

“Go with your gut,” said Rachel. “If it goes wrong, forgive yourself, own it, learn from it. I think as women we have to follow our gut all the time.”

I couldn’t agree more with Rachel and know that this is how I make the majority of my decisions. Intuition is so important and I’ve learnt that it’s okay to make a mistake as long as you do own it, as I do!

She also mentioned, “not looking back” and “rising above the drama”. I also have a no regrets policy and am constantly moving forward. We are both in fashion, where the drama can be heightened so it’s essential that we do rise above it all and keep moving.

Like Rachel said, what goes around comes around, we’re both believers in karma.

Similarly, when employing staff, she looks for trust over ability stating that ability can be learned through experience. I have done this for years and find it a very interesting concept 🙂

Final Words

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak ~ This is one of Rachel Zoe’s most famous quotes.

We both believe that style is also an indication of how you’re feeling that day and that we all must own our look!

I absolutely loved today and hope you’ve enjoyed me passing on some wonderful advice from the gorgeous Rachel Zoe.

It’s interesting how emotional it has made me so now I’m off as I have some thinking to do 🙂