Never one for subtlety, when Rachel Zoe commits to a look, she generally doubles down—flares go wider, prints get louder, plunges get deeper, and sequins shine a bit brighter. So when the stylist turned designer presented her Fall ’18 collection in Los Angeles, she was again intentional in her creations, albeit in a bit of a different direction. Less Hollywood glamour than is her typical m.o., this season Zoe went deep into menswear-inspired silhouettes. “My forever muses are the multi-faceted women in my life,” Zoe said of the collection that, apparently responsive to the #MeToo climate, celebrated female strength.
With the rock ’n’ roll vibes she often cites, Zoe’s suiting got a handsome twist via sharp tailoring, contrast lapels, and sateen racing stripes down the hem of trousers. Leather and suede fabric-blocking kept the mood experimental, while jewel tones like a ripe ruby red reminded you that this was a seasonal collection (and at least partly indebted to Tom Ford–era Gucci). There were sequins, sure, and plenty of Zoe’s signature gold (in a flirty silk fringe), but that lush velvet, plus metallic embossed croc were what best conveyed Zoe’s unapologetic glamour. Carrying over from her Fall ’17 launch, the designer also presented her second capsule for the bride, bringing together a consumer-conscious blend of modern and traditional silhouettes.
