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Rachel Zoe Visits LA Times Festival Of Books

Hannah Madans |
April 12, 2014 | 1:50 p.m. PDT

Deputy Editor

Rachel Zoe (Neon Tommy, Hannah Madans)
Rachel Zoe (Neon Tommy, Hannah Madans)

Rachel Zoe, a fashion stylist best known for working with celebrities such as Nicole Richie, visited the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday. She walked in wearing a black jumpsuit with gold detailing, a gold necklace, large sunglasses and six-inch heels.

"I only feel like myself in heels," Zoe said. 

Zoe has been involved in fashion for nearly ten decades. In that time she has served as both a stylist and a designer, starred in her own reality television show and written two books. 

Her first book, "Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Glamour" discusses styling tips and her observations as a stylist. 

On March 25, she released her second book "Living in Style: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Glamour." This book discusses how to do things quickly and on a budget, as well as answering questions Zoe frequently receives.

"This book was Rachel Zoe 2.0," she said.

READ MORE: Rachel Zoe Debuts Her Spring 2013 Collection

What many do not know about Zoe, though, is that she studied psychology and sociology at George Washington University. After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided not to go to graduate school to pursue a career in psychology. 

"I was done," Zoe said. "I was very eager to work and start my life." 

From an early age, Zoe was obsessed with fashion, but had never considered a career as a stylist because she "had no idea what one was."

Zoe said her psychology degree has not gone to waste, though, as she uses it "everyday of [her] life. "In addition to helping her develop a sense of patience, Zoe credits her academic background with teaching her "to take a step back and see what is being communicated."

READ MORE: Rachel Zoe: Just A Stylist Or A Style Icon

Zoe said the path she took to enter the fashion world is very different from the path a stylist would take today. Many current students trying to break into the fashion world take internships or pursue fashion-related degrees to learn about the industry. Zoe said that generally she won't even pick someone to intern with her who has not had a previous fashion internship.

Two of her main recommendations for people trying to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry are to loose any sense of entitlement, and to find supportive mentors.

"You need to have strong women to tell you 'don't be scared,'" said Zoe, who has put 20 years of hard work into the fashion industry. "I did not take a vacation or a weekend for a decade."

READ MORE: New York Fashion Week: The Rachel Zoe Collection

She added that her job is more than just telling someone what to wear for a given event. She also works with celebrities to help them define their style. For especially important events like the Oscars, the work really starts in November or December when Zoe meets with her clients and talks about what they want to convey with their look, whether they hope to reflect their films or where they are in their personal lives.

The most recent change in Zoe's life as a stylist was becoming a mom. Now Zoe has given up much of her evening social life in order to spend more time with her children and to be able to relax with her husband after the kids go to bed. Zoe also travels less than she did before. She will either do 24-hour trips, or trips where she can bring her kids along, no exceptions. 

While Zoe may have changed in recent years, she maintains her role as a respected and enormously influential stylist. 

 

Reach Deputy Editor Hannah Madans here.



 

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