Rachel Zoe’s New Role Will Inspire The Next Generation Of Fashion Stylists

Few stylists have become a household name the way Rachel Zoe has. She’s built an empire dressing A-listers both on and off the red carpet, as a reality TV show star, fashion designer, podcaster and media mogul, to name a few. But she didn’t get there alone. “My first real mentor was most definitely Tommy Hilfiger, and still is today,” Zoe says. “He gave me my first big break as a freelance stylist at 25 years old, and saw things in me that I definitely couldn't see for myself. He continues to be a mentor in life and in business. Marc Jacobs also helped me navigate the politics of fashion and how the industry works throughout different parts of my career and remains a friend today.”

That’s why mentoring is so personally crucial to Zoe, and serving as a mentor herself. “Mentorship is such an important part of this business,” Zoe says. “It's a great way to impart some of your knowledge and expertise onto others, and support those who share your passion. I think that is really important not only in this industry, but beyond. I have worked incredibly hard to achieve success in my career and I am honored to now have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with aspiring up and coming stylists.”

In Zoe’s new role as the very first Style Mentor for Express, she’ll get to just that. “When choosing any brand partner, we look for someone who embodies our brand purpose — ‘We Create Confidence. We Inspire Self-Expression’ — because that makes the connection more authentic for everyone,” says Sara Tervo, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Express. “Rachel has been working with the brand since 2021, and based on her appeal to our community, her passion for the Express brand and the success we’ve had with her, it felt so right to invite her to be the first official Express Style Mentor. In this role, she will work with us on the expansion of our Style Editor program and of course bring all of her knowledge and experience as a fashion icon and businesswoman in her own right.”

The Express Style Editor program launched in July 2021 to offer fans of fashion and Express a way to style and earn commission on their ensembles. Anyone can apply via their website to be a Style Editor and once they’re accepted, they receive a discount on Express clothing to create looks and then can make their own affiliate links through the Style Editor platform. Style Editors can share their content and affiliate links on their social channels and earn commission. Express Style Editors are also given access to networking and mentorship to reach goals, and can host exclusive events in Express stores.

“We are very proud to be a brand with a purpose powered by a styling community, and that community is a part of everything we do, from product design to creating content to building customer connections,” Tervo says. “The Express Styling Community has given us a platform for ongoing, open dialogue with some of our most loyal customers to ensure we understand the role we play in their lives and how to best meet their wardrobe needs. This helps us understand what people are looking for right now and what they might be curious about in the future.”

In her new role, Zoe will continue working with the Style Editors she’s met before through her previous work with Express, including a design collaboration and events in the Hamptons and Palm Springs. “What I love about Express and the Style Editor program is that it creates opportunities for aspiring stylists that I didn’t have when I was coming up,” she says. “If you are dying to be a stylist, this program is absolutely a great way to get started. You can create your own clientele, you get first looks at new products and access so many perks! I am excited to share my styling and business expertise with this incredible group of aspiring stylists and content creators.”

Zoe will work with Express to create training tools. “Some of the recruiting tools will be seen across my social platforms and used to educate, inspire and guide the community through exclusive styling content,” she says. This kicks off on May 16th with the launch of “Style Secrets,” a Masterclass-style video exclusively made for the Style Editors. Through the videos, Zoe will share personal success stories that haven’t been heard before and her industry knowledge to teach Style Editors how to succeed in the fashion world, from breaking in to cultivating a network, building a clientele and developing their very own styling tips and tricks.

Helping others grow and share their personal style is key to the role, which is something that Zoe, who has honed her distinct aesthetic, is keen on. She wants mentees—and everyone else—to know that fashion rules are meant to be broken. For example, she doesn’t believe that you can’t wear a statement earring with a statement necklace. “I’m here to say that isn’t the case,” Zoe says. “I fully support wearing a major necklace and earring together as a set or separate pieces styled well together, throwing it back to the style of the 60s or the 80’s, where more is more and I'm here for it!”

That sense of whimsy is what keeps Zoe going. “My favorite thing about styling and working in fashion is that it’s ever changing and evolving,” she says. “I’m a creative person that has to constantly see new things and be inspired. My favorite part is the incredible talent that I have been surrounded by throughout my career, the brilliant designers that I am lucky to call friends. I genuinely love fashion down to my core, and I love it today as much as I did when I started.”

Ultimately, Zoe will help the next generation of stylists learn and grow. “I am most excited to have the opportunity to help people who love fashion and share my passion to help people navigate their own personal style,” Zoe says. “I want everyone to learn how to feel like their most confident selves every day. This program is unlike anything else that is out there, and so important to build a strong community of talented stylists.”

Her boundless enthusiasm is why Tervo knew Zoe was perfect for the job. “Rachel is one of the most recognizable and respected names in fashion, and she’s already been such a great partner to our brand,” Tervo says. “We’re excited for Rachel to collaborate with our team on the program strategy and leverage her expansive network to attract new Style Editors and mentor the next generation of stylists. Who wouldn’t want to learn from the Rachel Zoe?”