Designer A-Z

Rachel Zoe

Autumn/Winter 2012

By Jim Shi

To mark her eponymous label’s one-year anniversary, Rachel Zoe staged several mini catwalk shows this season at New York fashion week - each to packed houses.

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For Autumn Winter, the stylist-cum-television star asked herself: “What if Mick Jagger wore women’s clothes?” That’s not to say he’s never done that, but, translated figuratively on a well-priced and positioned contemporary collection, the results were an unabashed ode to Seventies rock seen through that unique Zoe eye: faux-fur outerwear was a mainstay (no surprise), but the menswear-inspired tailoring and gorgeous flared pants were sophisticated additions in leather, tweed and, the season’s new fabric: velvet.

While Boho-esque maxi dresses were present, the emphasis was really on a kaleidoscope of pantsuits in rich colours—something her loyal customer base will no doubt love, no matter their age, shape or size. Complementing it all was an avalanche of new product categories, including bags, jewelry, shoes and cold-weather accessories.