Rachel Zoe on styling Mischa, Lindsay and Jennifer Lawrence

Rachel Zoe on styling Mischa, Lindsay and Jennifer Lawrence

24th Nov 2014

by ZARA WONG

RED CARPET

On how the red carpet and celebrity styling has evolved.

How she went to styling actors off the red carpet
“When I started I felt that actors should look good on their own down time as well because of the paparazzi following them all the time. In the beginning I don’t think the industry or the studios saw it like that. Image is important – obviously it will only get you so far because talent is going to keep you there and take you where you want to be in your career. Celebrities and supermodels are endorsing so many brands, it’s very much a part of the business and a huge part of the culture. You have to embrace it.” 

On working with Jennifer Lawrence“That relationship started when Raf [Simons] came to Dior. I had worked with Dior for many many years with John Galliano. Jennifer is absolutely one of the most extraordinary women I’ve ever met. She’s so young, but let me tell you she’s an old soul and a beautiful spirit and she’s obviously an extraordinary talent and we have so much fun working together. We had a fitting right before I left [for Sydney]. She’s so fun to dress, she loves fashion. It’s always great when you end up working with a client that is talented but also just is very smart, savvy and very down to earth.” 

On working with Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie“It feels like 20 years ago! It’s funny because I recently looked at my first book and it had a lot of images that I did with my clients early on. I was like, ‘I still really love all of these looks!’ It was a long time ago – pre-children, pre-everything! I did the Backstreet Boys, Jessica Simpson – the pop stars of that time in the early millennium.”

Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe talks Jennifer Lawrence and how to dress like an ‘it’ girl

Trendsetter ... influential stylist Rachel Zoe says Australian fashion is having a ‘moment’. Picture: Getty Images

Nadia SalemmeNews Corp Australia Network

SHE is one of the most in-demand celebrity stylists in Hollywood, who is known as much for her dress sense as she is for her trademark vernacular (“I die!”, “that’s bananas” and “shut it down”).

Rachel Zoe practically invented the boho look, starred in reality TV series The Rachel Zoe Project, has her own self-titled fashion label, and has styled the A-list — think Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway — for the Oscars.

70s inspired ... Rachel Zoe is in Australia as the face of Chadstone’s “Icons of Style” campaign. Picture: Getty Images

Style icon ... Rachel Zoe pictured in the front row of the Altuzarra show during New York fashion week. Picture: Getty Images

LA-based Zoe is Down Under for her role as the face of Chadstone’s latest “Icons of Style” campaign, which she styled on location in New York and features Australian designers including Zimmermann and sass & bide.

The Style A to Zoe and Living in Style author said the Australian fashion industry was making its mark in the US.

“I think it’s only getting bigger here (America),” Zoe said.

“The fashion here is growing ... I think the designers are really establishing their mark and I think it’s going to make its way over to the US more and more.

“I own a lot of Zimmermann. I love Zimmermann — it’s very glam bohemian.”

Wearing a 70s inspired Ferragamo coat and suede boots, Zoe said dressing J Law for the Oscars in a baby pink Dior couture gown was a career highlight.

Stunning ... Rachel Zoe styled J Law in Dior for the Oscars in 2013. Picture: APSource:AP

“I would saw Jennifer Lawrence in the Dior couture ... was one of my favourite moments in my career,” Zoe said.

“It was magical. She was Grace Kelly in that moment, to me.

“She was Jennifer Lawrence, cause there is no other, but there it just a really iconic, old Hollywood moment.

“She is such an incredible human being that it was a fun moment to create with her, you know?”

So what are Zoe’s tips for dressing like an “it” girl? Don’t be a slave to trends, for one.

“I think wearing too many trends at once and looking like they’re trying really hard, looking like the billboard,” Zoe said.

Nailed it ... Rachel Zoe, right, singer and designer Gwen Stefani. Picture: Getty Images

“You have to take a trend and interpret it for yourself. You can’t just like try and look like a 17 year old model walking down the runway.”

But there’s one trend Zoe is a fan of — the 70s. “Right now the 70s is having a huge moment,” she said.

“Periods in fashion come and go. There’s like, oh the 80s, the big, sharp shoulder, the corsetted waist, the peplum, the 50s — the full skirt, da da da.”

Accessorised ... Rachel Zoe is known for her 70s inspired look. Picture: Getty Images

“They always come back around in different elements. But for me, I feel like I’ll always do the 60s-70s because that’s where I feel the most comfortable.

“And now, over the last two seasons, it’s back in a very big way.

“It’s great, it’s less I have to buy. I always believe that you shouldn’t necessarily chase a trend.

“I’ll still wear a wide-legged jean when the 70s are not in ... in a year from now when everyone’s wearing like a skinny pant I will still be in my high-waisted, wide-legged trousers.”

Designer mode ... Rachel Zoe, right, backstage with a model before the presentation of her self-titled fashion label during New York fashion week in February. Picture: Getty Images

Zoe — who was named the most influential stylist in Hollywood by The Hollywood Reporter in 2012 — has some advice for incorporating the 70s into your wardrobe this season.

“You can do slouchy beanies, floppy hats, a bell bottom but it doesn’t have to be a massive bell bottom, you can do Woodstock platform heels because they’re comfortable and make you tall.

“Tights, boots, suede boots, big, bold prints like this,” she said, pointing to her Ferragamo jacket.

“I’m pretty obsessed with it myself.”