Confessions of an Ex-Model: Rachel Zoe

One of my favorite jobs I ever worked was with the effervescent, on-trendbrand, Rachel Zoe. The brand and its designer, Rachel Zoe herself, exude self-confidence and charisma, and I felt refreshed to be on the receiving end of the team’s professionalism during each of the two shoots I did.

However, I remember thinking how interesting it was that I was being treated better as a 16-year-old-glorified-mannequin than Zoe’s assistant,who had recently graduated from a four-year university. It was unnerving to see that as a junior in high school– I had always been taught that college would open all doors, yethere I was, already sitting on a pedestal without a high school diploma while getting primped by someone with a Bachelor’sdegree. This shoot was honestly the first, and really only, time I considered modeling as a true career. Other shoots and runways, while memorable, always exhausted me and I would looked forward to my mom picking me up, snacks in tow, outside whatever warehouse I was that day. 

But working with the Rachel Zoe team made me feel powerful but also feminine and, in those clothes, I felt like I could conquer any photoshoot, catwalk, or magazine cover. Although I found the age and education dynamics unsettling at times, this modeling job and the whole brand of Rachel Zoe –from itscurated social media content to its trendy blog to its beautiful clothes –both sparked my interest and inspired me to pursue fashion journalism and a higher education.

I was fortunate enough to meet Rachel at both shoots. When I came back for the second, she remembered my name.I felt both surprised and warmedinside. Rachel Zoe? Remembering my name?! I was over the moon. Each time she would bring her little boys around, it kindled a feeling of confidence within my small feminist body that such a strong businesswoman could balance her personal life with her ownbrand. Making my own living has always been a dream of mine, but I have also never wanted to sacrifice motherhood for “making it”in the job sector. She embodied it all.

In all honesty, a lot of the enjoyment that models get out of shoots is (1) being able to see the photos on the computer (because usually you only get to see them when the campaign/shoot is posted) and (2) when the food on set is more than a couple raw almonds and some seaweed snacks. The team sent me the photos right away, even the ones they knew they weren’t going to use AND they let me pick the snacks. They asked my favorite from Trader Joe’s and let’s just say we ended up with a bunch of strawberry licorice and pita chips. The hair stylist would fix my hair between shots and bring some licorice with her to keep the hangry woman in me at bay. 

Those days at Rachel Zoe, although only a blip my nineteen years, impacted me deeply. I saw for myself that running an empire didn’t have to come at the cost of motherhood and family. Rachel Zoe is a true girl boss, and seeing her helped me realize, so am I. 

By Alex Hansen 

UC Berkeley student, lover of carbs, and proclaimed knower of all rap lyrics.