Zoe clearly has no intention of abandoning longtime clients including Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner, or Eva Mendes (“If Eva e-mails me,” she says, “I’m there.”) and insists styling will always be her “baby” to some extent. But in listening to her wax poetic on hem lengths and fabrics, it becomes apparent she wouldn’t mind reshuffling her hyphenates so that designer comes first.
Yet perhaps the biggest factor in Zoe’s decision to take a step back from styling—with its many travel demands—is, of course, Skyler. So enamored with her son is Zoe that she frequently brings him to business meetings. “He’s everything,” she says with a sigh. “He just started saying ‘Mama,’ and I died.” Those close to the type-A stylist have noted motherhood has had a mellowing effect on her. “She’s really taken a step back,” says Lincoln. “She’s found a real balance in life.”
But don’t take that to mean Zoe will be cooling her platform wedges any time soon. “When I launched my collection I said to Li & Fung, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m not just launching ready-to-wear—I’m launching a lifestyle brand. I want head-to-toe Rachel Zoe. I want this to be getting dressed with my jewelry, my shoes, my bags, my gloves,” she says. “I want it all.”
