Rachel Zoe: Stylist, Mother, Fashion Icon, Author

When an invitation lands on your desk inviting you to a fashion runway and breakfast with Rachel Zoe, your heart skips a beat.

Well, for Lacey and I anyway.

Last week, we got to meet one of our own style icons, the very down to earth Rachel Zoe.

Rachel joined forces with Chadstone as this years face of the ‘Icons of Style’ campaign and a special guest at the centre’s Spring|Summer 15/16 runway.

Rachel hashtagged her way through her whirlwind trip (#48hoursinOZ) sporting some amazing looks including that burgundy Burberry dress and suede coat.

Rachel is just stunning at 43, a mother of two, so incredibly petite in both size and stature and ever so friendly and relaxed on stage.

Okay, clearly we are Rachel fans.

However, for anyone who may think that Rachel is just another socialite or Hollywood stylist, she’s actually worked damn hard to get where she is.

It’s quite refreshing to meet a woman who is so humble about her success when she has no formal fashion training, is recognised as one of pioneers of the “boho look” and styles the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Cameron Diaz and Anne Hathaway.

More on that later.

So the runway was on a Thursday evening and featured some of the latest SS15/16 looks – some actually styled by Rachel.

Many Australian brands were featured such as Willow, Manning Cartel, Zimmerman and Sass and Bide to name a very few. CAMILLA (aka The Kaftan Queen) received a lot of runway coverage prompted by her new flagship store that recently opened at Chadstone.

The breakfast the following morning was just gorgeous attended by a few Melbourne fashion and lifestyle bloggers and celebrities including Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

There was also a brief chat with CAMILLA herself who I must say is divine and was very gracious and happy to have a photo with me.

Now while interviews with Rachel were exclusively given to the large media outlets, I did see a little snippet from news.com.au that saw Rachel offer style advice on accessories. I felt it aligned with similar advice that I give my clients and thought it would be helpful as an accessory style challenge for you:

“It’s all about accessories, honestly, that’s how you change up a look, you know, something basic and make it not so basic,” Rachel said.

“I love a good cuff on the wrist or matching ones, one on both wrists, Wonder Woman style.

“I typically tend to gravitate more towards gold accessories but that’s just my personal preference. I mean anything works – enamel, black, silver, gunmetal. I just like chunky and big.”

Now as I said it’s worthwhile looking at Rachel’s background as it’s quite easy to relate to her. While she does style the A-Listers she has a daily newsletter and two books that she wrote in a bid to make style accessible for everyone.

Her journey started in New York  (approximately 20 years ago) where she began her career as a fashion assistant at a New York based fashion magazine and was promoted to senior fashion editor within two years.

After spending a decade in fashion in New York she decided to move to LA to take on Hollywood and made a name for herself and the rest is history.

She’s written two books (now working on her third), her reality TV show, The Rachel Zoe Project was a huge success, taking viewers behind the scenes of the fashion world. Naturally she now has a fashion and clothing collection plus her ongoing styling work.

Rachel and her husband, Rodger Berman (they will be married 20 years next year) and have two sons Skyler Morrison and Kaius Jagger.

So a mum, business owner and a 43 year old woman who has consistently evolved her style to suit herself.

Rachel is renowned for her 60’s and 70’s inspired looks, strong prints and she’s never let trends dictate what she wears. It is very key to finding your style.

So I wish I could have taken you all along to the breakfast, but here is a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

Now I couldn’t wrap this blog post up without a quote – right?

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak ~ Rachel Zoe