Rachel Zoe, the iconic celebrity stylist, reveals that betrayal by her assistants was a major reason she left the styling industry 12 years ago. Her candid admission sheds light on the challenges of trust and loyalty in the high-stakes world of fashion.
The Decision to Step Away
Rachel Zoe, the renowned fashion mogul, has opened up about her decision to leave the world of celebrity styling 12 years ago. In an exclusive interview with People, Zoe revealed that one of the primary reasons for her departure was the betrayal she experienced from her assistants.
“In full disclosure, I just couldn’t trust assistants,” Zoe admitted. “The definition of insanity is when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. I think after being completely betrayed, for lack of a better term, in various ways, by enough assistants and not being able to trust them with my clients and stuff to represent what I do and how I am with my clients, it just wasn’t worth it anymore.”
The Impact on Her Career
Zoe’s clients, which included stars like Jennifer Garner, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Hudson, Mischa Barton, and Nicole Richie, felt like “extended family” to her. This made the betrayal even more painful, as she never wanted to let them down. “But if I have five clients going through an award season, I physically cannot be with all five at the same time. You have to be able to entrust that in people that represent your work, and if you can’t do that, the system is broken,” she explained.
The Fallout with Brad Goreski
Zoe has previously been open about her falling out with her ex-assistant Brad Goreski, who was featured on her Bravo show The Rachel Zoe Project and left his job at the brand in 2010. In a 2011 interview with New York magazine’s The Cut, Zoe alleged that Goreski “started to pursue our clients, started going to all these events, and doing all the things he said he had ‘no interest in’ within a week of leaving her company.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve been used,” she said at the time. “I would say it’s going to be the last time, though.”
Life After Styling
Since stepping away from styling, Zoe has focused on her family and building her businesses. She has grown her brand to almost 50 brand extensions and licensing partners. Additionally, she has returned to reality TV in season 15 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“I’m very honest about where I am and what I’m dealing with on [RHOBH],” says Zoe, who filed for divorce from her ex-husband Rodger Berman in July. “I think my goal is really to share the reality of my life. And everyone’s going through stuff, right?”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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