Style A to Zoe

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My interest in all things fashion exceeds what some might deem the reasonable or the normal. That’s why I am always curious to read about what other people think about concepts such as style, especially if those persons are iconic in their own right. For Christmas, I asked Santa to bring me two recent style books, so I could read them, be inspired by them and learn from them. But more importantly, it also gave me the opportunity to compare them, and describe the pros and contras of both to you. So next time when you’re in a style crisis and think of getting professional help, you’ll know which book to turn to! Later this week, I'll discuss "The Little Black Book of Style" by Elle fashion editor Nina Garcia. Today, my focus is on Rachel Zoe's "Style A to Zoe"!

You have to give Rachel Zoe credit for inventing her own style and sticking to it. Unfortunately, it has also led Rachel to create a string of so-called Zoe-bots: young Hollywood actresses who were turned into the mirror image of their stylist. Zoe soon became even more famous than some of her clients, who include Lindsay Lohan, Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz (to name but a few!).

Zoe’s style is definitely very bling-bling. She loves color, she loves fur, but most of all, she loves gold: necklaces, bangles, earrings, snake bracelets… Too much is not enough. The bling is preferably combined with a deep, deep tan, and in my humble opinion, this does not always lead to the chicest possible outcome. That’s why, over time, I had come to regard Rachel Zoe as synonym for the notorious Hollywood tartlet style that I love to hate.

And indeed, right from the beginning of her book, Zoe (or rather, the journalist Rose Apodaca, who undoubtedly wrote the entirety of the book for Zoe) starts raving about glamour. Fairytale-like glamour should be in everything you do, according to this blonde self-proclaimed fashion princess. Of course, the girl does have a point. So many ordinary things are so much more fun when you add a pinch of glitter to it. But Zoe’s problem is that she has a little trouble imagining herself in the (stiletto) shoes of her readers, the majority of which undoubtedly leads a much more mundane life. Chapter 2 “Life’s a red carpet” I can live with, as Zoe obviously tries to make it clear to every woman that glamour can and maybe even should be an integral part of your life, even if you don’t have to strut down a red carpet every week (or ever). But then comes chapter 4, appropriately called “Jet set”, in which Zoe describes the fun of traveling and being abroad. Sure, we all know that. What we didn’t know, however, is that by fun, Rachel means: private jets, luxurious yachts (is there another kind?), exotic destinations on nearly deserted islands and packing three Louis Vuitton suitcases full of mink, high heels and jewelry. Um, okay.

But let’s focus on what I did like in this particularly stylish looking book on style. Zoe shares some useful tips, like her advice on jeans: “In all likelihood, you don’t need to diet. You just need a different silhouette and size.” Very wise words indeed. I also very much liked chapter 5 “Lip gloss and mane toss” on make-up. Rachel asked make-up artist Paul Starr to give away his best advice, which I found very useful. His best tip is his view on foundation: “It’s there to even everything out – not mask it!” Asking for advice, tips and tricks from celebrities or other professionals is something Zoe does throughout the entire book, and something I rather enjoyed reading. Of course, some celebs had predictable answers, but some accounts were pretty fascinating.

Zoe’s book is more entertainment than it is serious, and you can notice that in the writing here and there. There’s the infamous misspelling of ‘intact’ (in tack!) and an occasional missing word, which I found rather irritating. But overall, it’s an easy and enjoyable read that will keep you amused for a couple of nights. Rachel Zoe’s style is something you can love or hate, but I’ve actually come to quite like her book, even though I wouldn’t follow all of her advice. It’s a source of inspiration for people who are interested in developing their own style, and who want a document of how someone else succeeded in doing that. My advice: take cues from how Zoe lives in style, but don’t copy hers.

xx Steph

Rachel Zoe “Style from A to Zoe”

183 pages of insider tips, style advice and pretty pictures

Chapter 1: Excessories (A woman can never have to many accessories)
Chapter 2: Life’s a red carpet (Glamourize your life)
Chapter 3: The day after (Glamour in the office)
Chapter 4: Jet set (Glamorous traveling)
Chapter 5: Lip gloss and mane toss (Everything from make-up to hair care)
Chapter 6: Behind closed doors (Glam up your home)
Chapter 7: Entertaining (Throw a party like a diva)
Chapter 8: Glamour A to Zoe (An ABC of Style)