Welcome to Working It, where Racked follows street style into the office. Forget pedestrian khakis and button-downs—these fashionable professionals take dress codes to a whole new dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
Photos by Emilie Elizabeth for Racked.
Editor-turned-stylist-turned-empire Rachel Zoe has her finger in many fashion pies these days, running a namesake collection, penning lifestyle books, dressing A-listers, and overseeing the daily Zoe Report among her duties. As a bonafide celebrity at this point—and, not to mention, a mom—there's no way she (and Rodger) can do it all on her own. That's where the team at her polished Melrose office come in.
The space itself is done up in chic black and white, grounded by dark floors and accented with textural elements like glossy cabinets and plush, high-pile rugs. It's easy to mentally place oneself in New York while roaming the office, save for a few unmistakable Left Coast giveaways: It's crazy spacious, the space is flooded with California sun streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, and everyone is way laid back.
Get to know some of the lovely girls behind Rachel Zoe Inc. after the jump, where they show us what they wear to work—spoiler: they look incredible—and answer our burning shopping questions. Plus, there's more of the dog pictured above, and who doesn't want more of that?
Jennifer Ash, Editorial Assistant, wears a Theory top, ASOS pants, Jenni Kayne pumps, Love21 jacket, rings by Jacquie Aiche, Dana Rebecca, and Jennifer Meyer, bracelets from grandma, Giles & Brother, and Minor Obsessions.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
This week, a vintage denim jacket my best friend will tell you I wear too much, my one and only Chanel bag, and my favorite pair of boots from Zara that literally go with everything.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
Miroslava Duma. She just gets it.
What is the best piece of shopping advice you have gotten?
My glamorous grandmother once told me to buy a few investment pieces a year and cheap out on everything else—it's the secret to making your under-$100 buys look like a million bucks.
What is your worst shopping habit?
Buying the same black tank top over and over again...
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I splurge on jewelry and handbags and cheap out on trendy pieces I know I won't wear nearly as much a year from now.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
I started at Rachel Zoe Inc. as an intern during college and it was such a rewarding experience for me. I learned that through hard work and dedication, your dream internship has the potential to become your dream career.
Nicky Deam, Editorial Manager, wears an Isabel Marant Etoile top, ASOS skirt, Marni sandals, bracelets by Vita Fede, Coordinates Collection, and Giles & Brother, vintage watch, Sarah Chloe necklace, and rings from mom, Plukka, and grandma's friend.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
A vintage ring from my mum, my Isabel Marant leather jacket, and I guess the Red Sox jersey that has been forced on me. Sigh.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
That's a tough call. Diane Kruger, because she runs the gamut, doesn't take it too seriously, and always looks effortless.
What was your worst fashion faux-pas?
There are so many. I like a challenge so I have often overstepped and failed horribly. When I was four I decided I hated bangs and cut mine off, to the root. It made every outfit I wore for the next year look completely ridiculous. Unsurprisingly there aren't many photos of that era.
What are the advantages to working in fashion in LA (versus New York)? Disadvantages?
The advantage is that we are removed enough to be able to translate high fashion into wearable trends for our readers in the rest of the country. Plus LA is such an exciting place for fashion right now, I really feel it's the new frontier. The disadvantage is that we have to work harder to stay connected and up to date.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
LA style exists, and it's pretty awesome. Even if you're a die-hard New Yorker at heart.
Jordan Johnson, Styling Associate at Rachel Zoe Studio, wears a Jenni Kayne blouse, Thakoon Addition skirt, Zimmerli camisole, Loeffler Randall shoes, Anita Ko necklace, EF Collection and Catbird earrings, EF Collection bracelet, and rings by Dior, EF Collection, Dana Rebecca, Anita Ko, and Jennifer Meyer.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
An oversized sweater from The Row that I live in. My favorite, perfectly worn-in, ripped jeans by NOBODY. A pair of pearl t-strap Lanvin espadrille flats from '09.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
Alexa Chung, she always looks effortlessly cool. Plus I'm a sucker for a mini dress and flats and it appears she has the best of both.
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I splurge on shoes and cheap out on anything trendy.
Which trend do you really like, and which would you never be caught dead trying?
This isn't a new one, but I still love that all of the brands did a skate sneaker. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a wedge sneaker.
What are the advantages to working in fashion in LA (versus New York)? Disadvantages?
Advantages are having a car and the weather. Disadvantage: Most of the showrooms we work with are in New York and it's often easier to see the pieces in person when doing pulls.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
This should go without saying but, be nice to everyone. You never know where someone will be in five years.
Mel Chalian, Executive Assistant, wears a Rachel Zoe romper, Zara shirt, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, vintage and Balenciaga bracelets, and rings by David Yurman, Jennifer Meyer, Dana Rebecca, and vintage.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
Alexander Wang bucket bag, Rachel Zoe croc-embossed leather jacket, Reformation jumpsuit.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
Gia Coppola. She exudes so much elegance, but with a cool and quirky edginess that I love. Her style strikes the perfect balance between effortless ease with a touch of romance.
What is the best piece of shopping advice you have gotten?
"Sleep on it!" I've often gone to a boutique or vintage store and ended up leaving with a hodgepodge of impulse buys. Taking a day—or even a week—to think about a purchase you want to make before pulling the trigger is life changing. It's always fun to have a few novelty items, but a closet full of one-off pieces is not practical.
What is your worst shopping habit?
I avoid the dressing room at all costs. If I see something I like while shopping, I often try it on right away, on top of the clothes I'm already wearing. I'm a victim of the lazy millennial generation.
What's an item you passed up that you wish you could go back in time and buy?
In college, I found this amazing Chopard ring at a vintage store. It had a little scratch so I didn't buy it. I'm still regretting that.
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I like to splurge on staple leather items that I know I can live in every day and are not season specific. I would spend my entire life savings on an amazing leather jacket or a pair of leather cigarette pants. I don't think you need to spend an arm and a leg on denim—lots of that stuff goes on sale pretty quickly for a fraction of the price.
What was your worst fashion faux-pas?
Some people think its taboo to mix metals, but I've been doing it forever and loving it. I don't find anything wrong with pairing a chunky soled military boot full of silver buckles with a dozen gold chain necklaces and bracelets. The combination of gold, silver, rose gold and precious stones is cool and unexpected to me. My motto is the more the merrier.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
After working at Rachel Zoe Inc., I was really happy to learn just how tremendously supportive the fashion community is toward charitable and philanthropic causes. There's so much generosity all around. I'm so inspired by all the creative ways the industry is giving back and positively impacting those in need.
Marisa Runyon, Director of Brand Partnerships, wears a Rachel Zoe top, L'Agence skirt, Shoe Dazzle heels, Cartier watch, bracelets by Anita Ko and Miansai, and rings by Dana Rebecca, Catbird, Anita Ko, and custom.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
A double-breasted black Theory blazer that I've had since college and can't stop wearing, a vintage Hermes scarf I bought in Milan, and my Cartier watch.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
Gwyneth Paltrow's for sure. She's so chic, a little bit preppy, and always looks timeless.
What is the best piece of shopping advice you have gotten?
My mother taught me to shop with a purpose by organizing my wardrobe at the beginning of the season to discover what's missing. She also showed me how to shop sales like a pro.
What is your worst shopping habit?
I tend to buy versions of the same thing over and over. I'm not much of a risk taker.
What's an item you passed up that you wish you could go back in time and buy?
When I was in Paris with Rachel several years ago, I tried on a fur coat in a vintage shop that I loved, but I talked myself out of buying it because I didn't "need" it. I have missed it ever since.
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I splurge on classic items that I can wear over and over—tailored jackets, shoes and jeans. I never spend big on of-the-moment items.
Which trend do you really like, and which would you never be caught dead trying?
I love menswear-inspired pieces and wearing white for any season. I will not be wearing overalls ever again since I rocked them the first time around in 7th grade.
What was your worst fashion faux-pas?
I had a silver pleather trench coat in high school that haunts my memories.
What are the advantages to working in fashion in LA (versus New York)? Disadvantages?
Having lived both cities, I'd say that sometimes it's easy to feel a bit left out since so much more of the fashion industry is based in New York. On the other hand, I love living in LA so much because there's a completely different aesthetic here. It's effortlessly cool.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
I started my career working in television, so in a way, I got my entire fashion education working with Rachel. In the seven years that I've worked for Rachel, I've studied her vintage archives, developed product for her own lines with her and oversaw her author two books on fashion.
Lindsay Pogemiller, Styling Assistant, wears a Joe's Jeans t-shirt, Chloe skirt, Balenciaga sandals, Gemini bracelet by Julie Nolan, Dana Rebecca and gifted necklace, and rings by Jennifer Meyer, CC Skye, and Urban Outfitters.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
My old, worn in, practically destroyed Levi's shorts, Chanel flats, and whichever sweater is closest. I love sweaters.
Whose wardrobe would you swap with in a heartbeat and why?
Rihanna, because duh.
What is the best piece of shopping advice you have gotten?
My mom has told me not to buy anything I can't live without.
What's an item you passed up that you wish you could go back in time and buy?
Hand made leather sandals from a shop in Florence. Every time I think about it I have regret.
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I've splurged on handbags and shoes. I'll cheap out on things but buy multiples. I have my favorite $17 top in like four colors.
Which trend do you really like, and which would you never be caught dead trying?
I do own a crop top or two, or ten. But I just can NOT wear Birkenstocks. I'm sorry.
What was your worst fashion faux-pas?
Wearing boy's skateboarding shoes all through middle school. No one wants to date a girl with cooler DC's than them.
What are the advantages to working in fashion in LA (versus New York)? Disadvantages?
An advantage to working in LA, aside from getting to be in LA, is getting to be a part of how the industry out here is growing. The disadvantage to being in LA vs. NY is that there are more designer and PR showrooms in NY. LA is growing, but calling in clothes is a lot easier out there because there's just more available locally. A lot less Fedex action.
What have you learned at Rachel Zoe Inc. about the fashion industry that you wouldn't have known otherwise?
I think most everything I know about the industry I've learned here. I started interning while still in school and had little experience beforehand. Being at this company has allowed me to see nearly every side of fashion through The Zoe Report, Rachel's collection, and what we do in styling.
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