This season also launched another reality “spin-off” from Bravo’s Project Runway in, “The Rachel ZOE Project.” Rachel is a “super stylist” to some of the big names actresses who walk the boardwalk at openings, Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and whenever any of her clients want to look good for pictures.
“Alias” and “Electra” (and other movies stars) fashion idol Jennifer Gardner, who says was Rachel’s first client, uses Rachel exclusively. So does Carmen Diaz, Molls, Joy Bryant, Demi Moore, Brooke Shields, the list goes on and on. She is also friends with all the big fashion designers like Michael Korrs, Oscar Delarenta, Diane Von Fustenberg, etc.
The show’s premise is her core family of her husband Rodger, who has a business partner, and runs his own “booking agency” and is also Rachel’s business manager. Rodger doesn’t know how important he is to Rachel’s life, he’s the glue that holds it all together, in my opinion, he does not get that involved in her work as he should.
Rachel wants to expand and “brand” her style. She is also an Author of her first book, “Style: A to ZOE.” Her staff includes a full time make-up artist, and hair stylist who seem to be on retainer. The other two main characters are Taylor (Tay) who is a beautiful blonde woman who has been with Rachel for over 2 1/2 years and is “Rachel’s Rock.” Taylor is amazing and does most of the grunt work, packing boxes full of designer dresses, shoes, etc. She also books the actresses for appearances, travels to their own homes or hotels and is super organized doing a hundred things and a super multi-tasker.
This season the show revolved around another guest star of the show, Brad, who Rachel hired right out of Vogue magazine. Brad is “overly sensitive” doesn’t know how Tay system’s works and just tries to do whatever he is told to do. He doesn’t seem to think well on his feet, so why did Rachel him? Well, to take most of the grunt work off of Tay.
Every episode was the craziness of Rachel driving allover the place for multiple showings, fashion shows she was invited too; plus the conflict between Taylor and Brad. My first question is, would you take a job that he says he researched for two years getting and when he gets the job, doesn’t know what to do on day one?” I realize Taylor didn’t like him at first and still doesn’t of course it’s a reality show and didn’t explain anything to him without Rachel stepping in and quieting the war but come on, he must have somewhat of an idea of what he was in for, right?
Left to right: Taylor, Rodger, Rachel and Brad
Nope, he seemed to be just a pawn on Taylor’s chess board who was upset that he girl friend didn’t get hired instead of Brad. Anyway, the finale was like a two partner where Rachel besides running allover the place wanted a anniversary party and her husband Rodger told her, “that’s the craziest idea I ever heard of,” pissing off Rachel even more.
Meanwhile, Brad forgets to leave a “special kit” with Rachel who is at Cameron Diaz’s place trying to get her ready for her big “Red Carpet” event explaining how mad she was with her and Cameron Diaz ripping out the sole of one pair of shoes to place in another pair of shoes. Now, that would of been a good piece of filming.
Taylor makes up these kits and places extra pads, thongs, bras, nipple covers, shoes, whatever it takes to get a client ready for a “showing” besides the extra pieces of clothing options they carry with them, designer gowns, shoes, jewelry, etc. These “special kits” seem to be like gold to the crew. So, why are their so few of them? If I was Brad I would suggest making a dozen of these “kits” and have them in every vehicle, sent by messenger to all the actresses ahead of time and extra ones at Rachel’s studio just in the event of what happened at Cameron Diaz. Wouldn’t you if the kit meant your job? I know I would.
So, instead of saying to Rachel, “I know I made a big mistake, and I know now how to fix it, here’s what I would like to do:
1) Make a master list of what is in all the kits and a master list/diagram of how the dresses are sorted on the clothing racks exactly like Taylor want it, even label the top of the racks with color coded dividers so nothing is miss racked on the clothing stands
2) Buy a blackberry, and obtain the names of everyone you come in contact with to book appointments, including emergencies for electrical, plumbing and contractors and that should do it.
3) Plus find an easier way to lead clothing into vehicles for actresses fittings. Have a special vehicle or van equipped with clothing’s racks built in, storage compartments for shoes, jewelry, accessories and
4) Make a master list of the “special kits” and have multiple kits available in everyone’s vehicle, and extra kits at the studio just in case, plus, have a delivery company that can stock these kits for you with just a phone call can deliver the kits anywhere the client lives so you don’t even have to have the kits with you.
5) Send each and every client as soon as they are booked a “special kit” wherever they are going to be present for the fitting, why carry these things around unless Rachel Zoe likes to rip out soles from other shoes to get someone ready for a red carpet event.
6) Taylor and I need extra help, Taylor is the boss, I think Taylor should have another person, maybe her girlfriend, to work with me (Brad) and we could solve most problems we come in contact with…”
6) I would like a camera to take multiple pictures of the fashion shows models as they come down the runway or maybe a video camera and my own laptop networked with my blackberry and everyone elses’ computer.
But, logic is thrown out the window here, Rachel gets upset at Brad, almost fires him he has made two mistakes now, three and you out Taylor walks out, Brad walks out in tears and leaves Rachel a soulful goodbye, Rachel promises Taylor more help but she has to get Brad back, she calls and apologizes does and then…
Rodger ends up buying her a vintage Porsche to make-up with Rachel and drive off into the dusk as the shows ends.
The Rachel Zoe Project Website.
